Roaches Crawling In and Out of Your Microwave? Here’s How to Get Rid of Them for Good
The microwave is one of our favorite kitchen appliances but has some drawbacks. One of them is that it attracts pests such as cockroaches.
Why Do Cockroaches Live In Microwaves?
If you’ve spotted cockroaches crawling in or around your microwave, you’re not alone. Cockroach infestations are common throughout Mesa, AZ and the Greater Phoenix area, especially in warm climates where these pests thrive. Unfortunately, your microwave offers cockroaches a perfect place to hide and multiply.
Cockroaches seek out dark, warm, and enclosed spaces, making your microwave an ideal hiding spot. In Mesa homes, where kitchens are often busy and microwaves see frequent use, grease and food debris can quickly accumulate inside the appliance. This leftover residue offers cockroaches the food and moisture they need to survive.
Cockroaches eat crumbs, food debris, and even spillages. Microwaves are also a perfect place for cockroaches to access other areas in the house.
Moreover, microwaves also work as hiding spaces for cockroaches to lay their eggs and raise their babies. Therefore, if you see baby cockroaches in the microwave, act as fast as possible because a cockroach may have already laid its eggs.
Cockroaches are known to eat food leftovers, especially those stored in microwaves. They also love to live where they can hide from predators, such as under the sink or behind walls.
How Long Can Cockroaches Live In Microwaves?
Many Mesa homeowners assume that using the microwave will kill cockroaches hiding inside. Unfortunately, that’s a myth. Even during hot Arizona summers, cockroaches are remarkably resilient. We do not recommend using the microwave without anything inside to kill the cockroaches because it won’t work! Call our pest control technicians instead to get rid of the problem.
You may be wondering: why the microwave cannot kill cockroaches? The answer lies inside the microwave per sé.
Your microwave has four or five sections that remain cool even while you use it for cooking food. The radiation that microwaves emit comes from a magnetron. This magnetron is on one side of the oven.
Metal lines the microwave’s interior side, reflecting the radiation waves to the center. The microwave also shakes the water molecules, leading to the usual heat and vibration you see while cooking your food.
As we said before, the heat from the microwave may not kill the cockroaches because not every part of the microwave heats up. Some areas remain cool, which cockroaches prefer to stay within. Every time you use the microwave, the roaches will flee to the cold parts until it’s safe to go outside again.
We could say that cockroaches can live in a microwave indefinitely. Remember, they can survive nuclear explosions, so microwave radiation won’t cause them any damage.
Cockroaches can be a huge nuisance if they love living in your microwave. Fortunately, there are ways to get rid of them so you can use your microwave again.
Calling a pest control technician is the first thing you should try. Additionally, you should also try other methods we will mention below.
How To Get Rid Of Cockroaches If They Live In My Microwave
In addition to calling one of our Mesa pest control professionals, you should do the following:
Deep clean your microwave to remove grease and spills that attract cockroaches. A clean microwave will force them to look elsewhere for food.
Use a diatomaceous earth trap if necessary.
Use bait traps with food to attract the cockroaches and kill them. Place the bait traps inside the microwave and near spots where cockroaches emerge from.
There are many DIY removal methods to get rid of cockroaches, but if you have a lot of them, you should call a professional.
You can take your microwave apart and try to remove the roaches by hand, but you’ll probably damage parts of it while doing that.
If you don’t get rid of roaches throughout your home, they will almost certainly return to your device. Therefore, act quickly once you see a few of them in your kitchen!
Professional Cockroach Control in Mesa, AZ and the Phoenix Area
Cockroaches can be incredibly difficult to eliminate without expert help. That’s why Mesa homeowners trust Varsity Termite & Pest Control to get the job done right.
Our experienced pest control technicians serve Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe, Scottsdale, and the entire Phoenix metro area. We use proven, family-safe solutions to remove cockroaches from your microwave and your entire home—fast.
Our team can help you eradicate any infestation at your home, including cockroaches. If you don’t want to see any of these creatures walking through your floor again, contact us now and let us help!
