As any exterminator will attest, pests are attracted by several household items or situations. For instance, they seek moisture, so a leaky pipe or faucet could lead to an infestation. They also search for a safe place to nest and hide, so they are often drawn to clutter. But mostly, they seek nourishment. Here are some of the food items that attract cockroaches and what you can do to avoid drawing these insects to your home.

What Attracts Cockroaches?

1.  Sugar

Any food items with a high sugar content should be tightly packaged or covered with a lid. To avoid the need for an exterminator, keep brown sugar in the refrigerator, and seal paper bags of white sugar in plastic before storing in the cupboard. Make sure any sugar bowls have a tight lid, and wipe up spilled juices and sugary soft drinks thoroughly with plenty of soap and water.

2. Crumbs

Crumbs may seem innocuous, but they also attract cockroaches. Never leave crumbs on the counter if you don't want pests in the kitchen, and sweep up any detritus from the floor after making meals. For the best results, place them in a sealed trash bin.

3. Grease

Grease is a type of rendered fat and an important source of food that attracts roaches and other pests. Grease often splatters during cooking, and it’s hard to locate and remove it completely. Use vinegar, ammonia, or another grease-cutting cleaner to scrub down stove tops, range hoods, oven doors, countertops, and other locations where grease might have accumulated to avoid attracting cockroaches, ants, and other insects.

If you need an experienced exterminator to handle a cockroach problem, contact Bugout Termite & Pest Control Inc in Glen Burnie, MD. They are family-owned and have served the Baltimore Metro area since 1988. In addition to cockroach extermination, they also specialize in termite, bed bug, and ant control. Learn more about them on their website, or call (410) 760-6065 to request an exterminator appointment.