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Are Roaches Attracted To Urine? (And What Attracts Them?)

Are Roaches Attracted To Urine? (And What Attracts Them?)

You can be sure that finding roaches in your home is very unattractive. Roaches consume a variety of foods that should make you feel uneasy. They are attracted to many different things, one of which is urine.

Urine has several properties that make it attractive to roaches. It has moisture, and roaches love moist places. It smells of dead decaying matter like dog droppings. It also has a fermented smell, similar to used baby diapers.

Urine contains an ammonia smell, which will attract roaches as they look for protein sources. Proteins are synonymous with food, and roaches will constantly seek a place where they can feed.

Does Urine Attract Roaches?

Yes, roaches are attracted to urine because it contains 91 percent water, which they enjoy. Urine has a strong, pungent smell that roaches find attractive. It is humid and warm in most places where there is urine. These are the kind of temperatures that roaches like.

Because roaches need food and water, they will be attracted to dog urine, which has a pungent smell and is readily available. If not properly trained, most dogs will urinate on the house floor. Because it is moist, roaches hiding in your home will find it, and they may opt to lay their eggs in it.

Urine found in your cat’s litter (urine and poop) box indicates food from the cat. The pungent smell will attract roaches, especially if the litter has been left for a few days and fermented.

What Causes Sudden Roach Infestation?

You have every right to be worried when you discover an unexpected roach infestation in your home. Roaches are ugly and difficult to rid of from your house. They are also carriers of the diseases listed below, in addition to causing allergic reactions.

But what could trigger an infestation in your home? Knowing what began the sudden infestation will help you determine how to eliminate them. 

Here are some of the causes of a sudden rach infestation.

1. Neighborhood source

If you haven’t had roaches in your home before and they suddenly appear, you should investigate your neighbors. You do not influence what your neighbor does in their home if you share housing units. However, if your neighbor does not properly dispose of their garbage, you will have a problem.

Roaches are attracted to trash and can be difficult to eradicate once they have entered your home. They could be expecting to find trash in your home, just like your neighbors.

2. Dirty attic

Unfortunately, most homeowners turn their attic into a storage space. Most people also forget to clean their attics. People keep boxes and other belongings in the attic for a long time without cleaning them.

The attic becomes a roach haven, and you’ll have a massive infestation after a while. Water leaks may have already happened as a result of corroded pipes. Standing pools of water will attract a large number of roaches.

3. Hitched a ride to your home

It’s possible that you unknowingly brought roaches into your home. Roaches can hide in your backpack, paper grocery bags, handbags, briefcases, and other personal belongings.

That’s most likely how roaches found their way into your home. All these items could have been carriers of the roaches or their eggs.

What are Roaches Attracted To Most?

If you’ve been trying to eliminate roaches from your home but have been unsuccessful, there could be several reasons why. You can be unknowingly attracting roaches into your home.

Let’s look at some of the ways your home might be attracting roaches.

  • Food: If they can find food, roaches will invade your home. They will eat anything, but sugar, starch, cheese, meat, and grease are most attractive. They are also attracted to decaying material, such as rotten cabbages or apples. To them, every uncovered food item presents a feast.
  • Household items: If there are no food items available in your house, they will turn to non-food items. Paper, glue, leather, solid soaps, book bindings, nylon clothes, starch-based paints, and wallpapers to toothpaste are household items that roaches will eat. Their digestive system contains bacteria and protozoa that help them digest non-foods.
  • Water: Water attracts roaches as well. Plant pots, pet bowls, wet towels and mats, and wet kitchen sponges are examples of places where there is standing water. Leaking pipes can cause standing water. Make sure there’s no water around the water tub or sink.
  • Dirt and clutter: Aside from food, roaches will seek shelter in your home. Roaches will breed in dirty laundry, dirty dishes, and furniture. Roaches can use gaps or crevices in your walls to access your home.

Roaches, like you, are attracted to places that can offer them food, water, and shelter. The more they can get that in your house, the longer they will stay unless you take steps to eliminate them.

Do Dirty Diapers Attract Roaches?

Roaches are attracted to dirty diapers for a variety of reasons. They’re soaking wet, dirty, and have a disgusting smell. If they contain feces, the roaches will have a full meal. If you don’t clean it regularly, you’ll likely find roaches in your baby’s diaper litter box or pail.

Roaches will search for moist, warm places to lay their eggs, and what better place to do so than in dirty diapers? Diapers contain urine and feces, which the baby roaches (nymphs) can consume.

Ensure to dispose of used diapers properly. Regularly clean the diaper pails or litter boxes. For the washable diapers, wash with hot water regularly to avoid roaches nesting in them. Hot water helps kill any eggs laid by the roaches in the diaper.

Are Roaches Attracted To Blood?

Fresh and dried blood equally attract roaches. They may not seek out blood the same way they seek hair or dead skin. On the other hand, Roaches are scavengers who will consume anything.

Roaches and insects feed on blood because it is a very nutritious food source. So, if you find roaches in the hospital garbage can, know why.

Roaches rarely go out of their way to feast on the blood of humans and animals. If a roach bites you, you can be sure it’s trying to figure out if you’re a good meal.

Are Roaches Attracted To Pet Food?

Roaches are attracted to both wet and dry cat food. They won’t be able to tell the difference between cat and human food because all they smell is food.

Your cat is unlikely to finish eating the food you’ve placed in a bowl for it. Roaches are opportunistic feeders, which means they will climb into the bowl and eat whatever is left.

The nutrients, vitamins, carbs, and proteins in the food you buy and feed your dog are plentiful. These qualities will attract roaches and various other bugs to the food. Keep it adequately covered to prevent roaches from laying their eggs in your dog’s food.

Dog food has a strong smell that roaches can smell from a distance. You must keep your pet dog adequately covered to protect its health.

What Attracts Roaches To Your Bedroom?

When you have a large roach infestation in your home, the roaches are likely to spread from the kitchen to other house parts. Don’t be surprised if they show up in your bedroom.

A variety of factors can entice roaches to your bedroom. Food crumbs, particularly if you like to snack in your bed. Another attraction is mugs of coffee or other drinks left on the bedside furniture.

Roaches can get into your bedroom through cracks and gaps in the walls, ceiling, windows, and floors. They’ll most likely hide underneath beds, in clothing, wardrobes, drawers, and bedsheets once they’ve entered your room.

Good nesting places in your bedroom where roaches can hide and rest are what will attract them the most. Remember that you are rarely in your bedroom, and because it is dark, humid, and quiet, roaches will find it a great nesting place.

What Repels Cockroaches Instantly?

While killing cockroaches is challenging, it is not impossible. You just need to know what repels them instantly and use that. Let’s look at several ways to get rid of roaches and keep them out of your house.

Essential oils

Essential oils have repellant properties and can kill roaches on contact or when used in excessive amounts. The good news is that they are safe to use around children and pets because they are natural.

It’s important to remember that not all essential oils will kill roaches. So here’s a list of those that work:

  • Eucalyptus oil: Mix with water and spray in areas where you can see roaches regularly.
  • Peppermint oil: Mix a few drops of peppermint oil with water and spray about the areas where you’ve spotted roaches.
  • Cypress oil: When sprayed around, this oil works best when combined with other essential oils and water.
  • Cedar oil: Spray your home with cedar oil, water, and rubbing alcohol mixture.
  • Rosemary oil: You can mix the oil with water and spray it around or use it in traps.

Pyrethroid based sprays

Don’t worry; pyrethroid-based sprays aren’t dangerous for humans, but they can harm some pets. Before you use it, read the instructions on the label. It comes from chrysanthemums and is a natural chemical.

The pyrethroid attacks the nervous system of the roach, killing it instantaneously. Once sprayed on any surface, it remains toxic to roaches, ensuring that those that manage to survive also die. Bengal Gold Roach Spray is one of the most well-known and effective pyrethroid-based sprays.

Conclusion

Roaches are hugely attracted to urine. But it’s not only urine that will attract roaches. Roaches will be attracted to your home by dirty dishes, pet food, blood, water, dirty diapers, dirty clothing, household items, and unprotected food.

You should not be worried because we have discussed the various ways to kill roaches instantly in this article.  We have also given you reasons why you have a sudden roach infestation in your home, so you can figure out how to get rid of them.