How do you keep cockroaches out of your kitchen?

Cockroach prevention: food, water and shelter

Which cleaning habits help keep cockroaches out of the kitchen? The ones that take away what cockroaches need. The National Environment Agency (NEA) sets out the idea in its guidelines on preventing rat and cockroach infestations: pests need food, water and shelter, and prevention means removing them.

In a kitchen, food means crumbs, spills, open packets and uncovered bins. Water means a wet sink area or a damp corner below the cooking range. Shelter means clutter, stacks of boxes and gaps in walls and floors. Each habit in this guide removes one of the three, and they work together: a clean counter helps less if the bin is open or the area under the sink stays wet.

Kitchen habits that help

NEA's guidelines for food establishments list prevention measures that work in a home kitchen too. If you are dealing with cockroaches in an HDB kitchen, start with these six habits.

1. Clean spills at once. Clean food and refuse spills immediately, including crumbs on the counter and drips around the bin.
2. Cover the bin and bag food waste. Keep refuse bins covered, and bag and tie food waste before you throw it away.
3. Store food in sealed containers. Keep dry food and leftovers in tightly covered containers instead of open packets or bowls.
4. Keep the stove and sink areas dry. Keep the areas below the cooking range and sinks dry and clean, and wipe away standing water after washing up.
5. Clear out boxes and newspapers. Get rid of unwanted boxes and piles of newspapers, which give cockroaches places to hide.
6. Seal holes and crevices. Seal holes or crevices in walls and floors, so there are fewer gaps to shelter in.

These habits work as a routine, not a one-off effort. Wipe down the counter after each meal, take the bin out before it overflows and look under the sink each time you clean the kitchen. For a thorough reset of the whole room, work through the kitchen deep clean checklist.

Drains, floor traps and the sink

Your kitchen floor trap and sink connect to the drains, so they need attention too. NEA's guidelines say floor traps and downpipes should be covered with grating.

HDB's floor trap guide asks you to keep the grating closed and not to pour cooking oil or throw food waste and solid items down the floor trap or sink, which helps prevent chokes. If water overflows from a floor trap, HDB says solid matter or grease is blocking it: remove the solid materials, and for serious cases engage a licensed plumber. For foul smells, HDB suggests removing trapped particles and flushing.

If a drain stays choked after you have cleared what you can reach, book a licensed plumber for choked drain clearing.

Signs you have cockroaches

NEA's guidelines for food establishments list four signs of cockroaches: droppings, egg cases, an odorous smell and live cockroaches. At home, the areas the habits above cover are a sensible place to check: below the cooking range and sink, around the bin and among stored boxes or newspapers. A weekly cleaning schedule helps you clean these spots regularly and notice any signs early.

Sprays, baits and pest control companies

Under the Control of Vectors and Pesticides Act, pesticide and repellent products for use against cockroaches must be registered before they are sold, supplied or advertised in Singapore, as NEA explains. Use only registered products and follow the label.

If you want to get rid of cockroaches that keep coming back, a licensed pest firm can treat the home. NEA advises the public to make sure cockroach treatment, whatever the type of service provider, is bought from licensed Vector Control Operators, as its Vector Control Operator page explains. An operator may start work only after it is registered, must use licensed or certified technicians and workers, and should give the client a service report and recommendations at agreed intervals. Before you book, ask how often you will receive that report.

When to call a professional

Call a licensed pest control company if:

• You see live cockroaches often, despite these habits.
• You find egg cases.
• You rent and your agreement puts pest control on you. The Council for Estate Agencies (CEA) tenancy agreement template for HDB flats asks the tenant to keep the flat pest free and to engage exterminators where necessary, at the tenant's own expense. Your own agreement may differ, so check it.

Cleaning is not a pest treatment, but a deep cleaning visit can help reset a neglected kitchen before you start the habits above. The cost depends on the job, so check home cleaning prices and compare cleaning companies.

Questions