Roaches are among the most common pests that infest household appliances, especially those in the kitchen. Roaches love to live in warm, dark, and humid areas. When they find their way into your home, they will find shelter in appliances like microwaves and other electronics.
Can Roaches Survive in a Microwave?
Yes. Roaches can survive in a microwave and live for a long time. While a microwave produces a lot of heat when it’s being used, roaches will not die because of this heat.
Roaches are extremely resilient, and they can even survive a nuclear bomb. They will live anywhere provided they can find food.
Getting Rid of Roaches in Your Microwave
If you find that roaches have attacked your microwave, it is vital to take immediate steps to eliminate them. These pests can cause damage to your microwave by eating up some components in it.
Since they are dirty creatures, roaches are known to cause health issues like Typhoid. Here are five simple steps to take when roaches infest your microwave:
Step 1
Unplug your microwave and take out any removable components, including microwave plate and dish. Wash them thoroughly, put them aside, and leave them to dry.
Step 2
Use a disinfectant cleaning agent that contains bleach to clean the microwave. Spray it thoroughly inside the microwave, and let the disinfectant cleaning agent sit in the microwave for around ten minutes.
Step 3
Take a clean piece of cloth and use it to wipe off the cleaning solution. Wipe any dead roach that comes out of the microwave.
Step 4
Take your microwave outside in the backyard and sit it on a bench or the ground. Spray an anti-roach solution heavily into your microwave to kill any roach present in it.
Leave the solution in the microwave for about an hour. Keep in mind that the insect-killing solution is dangerous and could lead to food poisoning if you don”t clean it thoroughly.
If you dont want to use a chemical method, you can use natural repellants like neem oil, lavender oil, and peppermint oil.
Step 5
Almost all the roaches in the microwave are now dead. Wipe the microwave off and spray a disinfectant cleaning solution once more.
Allow the solution to sit in the microwave for an hour to ensure that it eliminates all the anti-roach solution. Wipe the microwave and spray the disinfectant solution for the last time.
Then dry of your microwave with a clean cloth.
Step 6
The microwave is now clean and free from roaches, but you should leave it for the entire day. You may put a small cup of cheap wine in the microwave to kill any roach that was left in.
After a day is over, check your microwave well to ensure that no roach is present anymore.
How to Prevent Roaches from Your Microwave
Along with the above steps, here are four essential tips to help you prevent roaches from infesting your microwave.
- Maintain Hygiene Practising proper sanitation in your home, especially the kitchen, is the best way to keep roaches away. Avoid leaving food open during the night, and wash your dishes out overnight. Keep the floors free of food particles as they may attract roaches. Ensure that you clean your microwave regularly to ensure that there are no food particles in it. Always close the microwave door as leaving it open gives the roaches a pathway.
- Spread Boric Acid Behind the Microwave If you suspect that roaches are already in your house, spread some boric acid behind the microwave and other appliances. When roaches come near the microwave, they will definitely eat the powder, which will eventually kill them.
- Reduce Moisture Level As mentioned earlier, roaches love living in moist and humid areas. Reducing the moisture level in your home is vital in keeping roaches away. Always keep your kitchen floor dry and wipe off all water after cleaning the utensils and the cooking surfaces.
- Block Roaches from Entering into Your Home Roaches will enter your home when you give them access. You are less likely to find roaches in a microwave if they have not infested your home. To prevent them from entering your home, seal off entry point that could give roaches access to your houses. Keep your kitchen waste covered as it may attract roaches when it is open.
- Finally, always cover your food with fitting lids to keep roaches away from your home!