Nobody likes having roaches around, but unfortunately, these little critters are more attracted to our homes than we’d like to admit.
Roaches are like the worst houseguests, they sneak in, scurry around, and ruin your peace of mind. But did you know that certain smells actually pull them in like magnets? Yep, it’s true.
Let’s take a closer look at 10 scents that roaches love!
1. Food Scraps
Roaches are total foodies. They love anything from crumbs to full-on leftovers. If you leave food out or don’t clean up properly, it’s like sending them a VIP invite to your home.
To keep them at bay, make sure to clean up after every meal, vacuum regularly, and store food in sealed containers. Don’t forget to wipe down countertops—roaches can sniff out even the tiniest crumb!
2. Sugar
If you’ve got a sweet tooth, roaches probably do too. Sugar, honey, syrup, and even sweet fruits attract these pests like a sugary magnet. The trick?
Keep your pantry tightly sealed and store sweets in airtight containers. Also, try cleaning up sticky spills right away to make your home less inviting to them.
3. Grease
Leftover grease from cooking? Roaches love it. Whether it’s from bacon, a burger, or that fry-up you made last night, grease is an open invitation.
After cooking, wipe down your stovetop and counters thoroughly. Don’t forget to clean out the grease traps and behind the stove, because roaches will find it if you don’t.
4. Bread
That half-eaten loaf of bread sitting on your counter? It’s calling out to roaches. They’re drawn to bread and anything else starchy.
Keep bread sealed or stored in a breadbox. And if you’ve got leftovers, put them in a sealed bag or container to avoid attracting unwanted guests.
5. Beer
You wouldn’t think it, but roaches actually love beer. The sugars and yeast in the drink draw them in.
So, after your beer party, make sure to clean up your bottles and cans, especially if any spills happened. No one wants to host a roach party in their kitchen!
6. Fruit
Overripe or rotting fruit is a roach magnet. When fruit starts to go bad, the sugars ferment, making it even more appealing.
Always store your fruit in the fridge or eat it before it gets too ripe. And remember to dispose of any fruit that’s past its prime right away to keep roaches away.
7. Garbage
We’ve all been guilty of letting the trash pile up for a day or two, but that’s just giving roaches a free meal. Food scraps in the trash are like a five-star buffet to them.
To avoid attracting them, take out your trash regularly and use bins with tight-fitting lids. The less they smell, the fewer they’ll come!
8. Meat
Roaches aren’t picky eaters, but they love a good protein snack. Meat that’s been left out, like cooked chicken or steak, will draw them in. Make sure you wrap up leftovers properly and store them in the fridge.
Roaches are excellent scavengers, and you don’t want to make it easy for them to find a meal.
9. Cheese
Roaches have a thing for cheese, especially strong-smelling varieties. That block of cheddar or a bit of moldy blue cheese? Perfect for a roach dinner.
Make sure your cheese stays wrapped tightly or tucked away in the fridge. No more free cheese plates for the roaches!
10. Coffee
A cup of coffee might wake you up, but it has the opposite effect on roaches, it gets them excited! The smell of coffee, especially ground coffee, attracts roaches looking for a little caffeine fix.
To keep them away, store your coffee beans or grounds in airtight containers. And clean up any spills right away, as even the smallest amount can lure roaches in.