How to Get Rid of Cockroaches in Dishwasher: 5 Steps

That dark shape darting behind the racks isn’t your imagination. The sight of a cockroach inside the very machine meant to clean your dishes is a special kind of horror. I know that feeling of violation and panic. You feel like your safe space has been invaded.

But take a deep breath. You can solve this problem without resorting to harsh chemical sprays near your plates and forks. I’m here to guide you through a safe, effective plan. Relief is just a few steps away.

Keynote: How to Get Rid of Cockroaches in Dishwasher?

First, thoroughly clean your dishwasher, especially the filter. Run an empty cycle on the highest heat setting with one cup of vinegar to kill pests inside. Use gel baits behind the unit and seal any cracks around it. This eliminates the infestation and prevents roaches from returning.

Why Roaches Love Your Dishwasher (And Why You Shouldn’t Panic)

Your dishwasher offers everything a cockroach could ever want. It has warmth from the motor and drying cycles. It has constant moisture from water use. And it has an endless buffet of tiny food scraps left on your “rinsed” plates. This combination of food, water, and shelter makes it a roach paradise.

The problem is bigger than just disgust. These pests are known to spread more than 33 types of bacteria, including Salmonella and E. coli. They crawl from drains and garbage right onto the surfaces you eat from. This isn’t just gross; it’s a serious health risk you can’t afford to ignore.

By the Numbers: Up to 80% of household pest infestations start in the kitchen.

How do they even get in? Cockroaches can flatten their bodies to squeeze through the tiniest openings. A loose door seal, a gap around a plumbing pipe, or a crack under the front panel is an open invitation. If an opening is smaller than a dime, a roach can likely get through.

Spot the Invasion: Is Your Dishwasher Infested?

Before you can fight back, you need to confirm the enemy is there. Cockroaches are sneaky, but they always leave clues behind. You just need to know what to look for.

The most obvious signs are their droppings. German cockroach droppings look like black pepper or coffee grounds. You might also find their egg casings, which are small, brown, and rectangular. These are often hidden in dark corners or along the rubber door seal. Another telltale sign is a strange smell. Roaches release pheromones that create a musty, oily odor. If your dishwasher smells funky even after a cycle, pests could be the cause.

Of course, the clearest sign is seeing one. Since they are nocturnal, spotting a roach scurrying away when you open the door at night is a red flag. If you see one during the day, it’s a sign of a much larger infestation. The nests are so full that roaches are being forced out into the open.

Roach Clue	Normal Grime
Pepper-like droppings or egg casings	Bits of food or hard water debris
Musty, oily odor from pheromones	Lingering vinegar or soap smell
Roaches scurrying when the door opens	Quiet appliance hum

Emergency Triage: Your 10-Minute Action Plan

Okay, you’ve confirmed you have a roach problem. It’s time for immediate action to stop things from getting worse. Don’t panic—just follow these three simple steps right now.

First, stop using the dishwasher immediately. Unplug it from the wall to be safe. If you have any dishes inside, take them out and hand-wash them thoroughly in hot, soapy water. Running the dishwasher won’t solve the problem and could just spread contaminants.

Next, inspect every single inch of the appliance. Remove the racks and utensil holder. Check the filter at the bottom, the spray arms, and especially the rubber door seal. Look for any visible roaches, eggs, or droppings you can clean out right away.

Finally, flush them out of hiding spots. Use a can of compressed air—the kind you use for keyboards—to blast short bursts into tight spaces. Focus on the door hinges, the latch mechanism, and any crevices along the sides. This can force hidden pests out into the open where you can deal with them.

The Deep Clean That Kills Roaches (Not Just Germs)

Now it’s time for a top-to-bottom deep clean. This isn’t just about sanitation; it’s about making the environment deadly to pests. A truly clean dishwasher offers no food and no comfort for roaches.

Start by dismantling what you can. Take out the bottom and top racks, the utensil basket, and the filter. Soak all of these parts in your sink with hot, soapy water and give them a good scrub. Use a small brush to clean out any gunk from the filter screen and spray arm holes.

Next comes the heat treatment. Place one cup of white vinegar in a dishwasher-safe bowl on the top rack of the empty appliance. Then, run the dishwasher on its hottest, longest cycle, like “Pots & Pans” or “Sanitize.” The combination of hot steam and acidic vinegar creates a hostile environment that can kill roaches and their eggs.

Temperature	Effectiveness on Roaches
Room Temperature (~70°F)	Ideal for roach survival and breeding.
Hot Water Tap (~120°F)	Uncomfortable, but may not be lethal.
Sanitize Cycle (140°F+)	Lethal to roaches and their eggs.

The crucial final step is the door seal. This rubber gasket is a favorite hiding spot. Dip a cloth in white vinegar and meticulously wipe down the entire seal, making sure to get into the grooves. This removes food residue and the pheromone trails roaches use to navigate.

Smart Elimination: Traps, Baits & Dusts That Work

Cleaning is a great first step, but for an active infestation, you need to bring in reinforcements. The goal is to use targeted treatments that are safe for a kitchen environment. Never spray aerosol insecticides inside your dishwasher where they can contaminate food surfaces.

Gel baits are your most powerful weapon. These products come in a syringe and contain a slow-acting poison mixed with a food attractant. Squeeze small, pea-sized dots of the gel in areas where roaches travel but where food and fingers can’t reach. Place them behind and underneath the dishwasher, along the back of countertops, and where pipes enter the walls. Roaches eat the bait, return to the nest, and spread the poison to others, killing the entire colony from within.

Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a fantastic non-toxic option. This fine powder is made from fossilized algae. To a roach, it’s like walking through shards of glass. It scrapes their exoskeleton and causes them to dehydrate and die. Use a duster to puff a very light, thin layer into voids, such as under the dishwasher and behind cabinets. Make sure to use food-grade DE for safety.

Finally, glue traps are excellent for monitoring. Place these sticky traps on the floor along the base of the dishwasher and under the sink. They won’t solve a big infestation, but they will catch stray roaches and help you see how bad the problem is and if your treatments are working.

DIY Solution	Safety	Risk Level
Gel Baits	Food-safe when placed in hidden areas	Low
Diatomaceous Earth	Non-toxic (use food-grade)	Low
Boric Acid Dust	Low toxicity but must not be ingested	Low-Medium
Aerosol Sprays	Can leave toxic residue on dishes	High (Do Not Use)

Fortify Your Dishwasher: Seal Them Out Forever

Once you’ve cleaned and treated the area, the final step is to build a fortress. You need to seal every possible entry point so roaches can never get back in. This is a core principle of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) that many people overlook.

Get a tube of caulk and a critical eye. Go around your dishwasher and seal any gap you find between the appliance and your countertops or cabinets. Most importantly, pull out the unit and seal the gaps around plumbing and electrical lines that go into the wall. Pack larger holes with steel wool first, as pests can’t chew through it, then seal with caulk.

By the Numbers: Sealing cracks and entry points can reduce the chance of reinfestation by over 70%.

Next, cut off their water supply. Cockroaches can’t survive without moisture. Check for and fix any small leaks from the dishwasher’s water supply line or drain hose under the sink. A dry environment is your best defense.

Finally, eliminate their buffet. Scrape all food debris from plates before loading them into the dishwasher. Don’t let dirty dishes sit for days. Get into the habit of running the dishwasher every night to ensure no food is left out for them.

Daily Habits for a Roach-Free Kitchen

Winning the battle is one thing; keeping the peace is another. A few simple, consistent habits are all it takes to make your kitchen permanently inhospitable to pests.

After every cycle, leave the dishwasher door cracked open for a few hours or overnight. This allows the interior to air out and dry completely, removing the damp, cozy environment roaches love.

Set a weekly reminder on your phone to clean the dishwasher filter. It only takes a minute, but removing that build-up of food particles is one of the most effective preventive steps you can take.

Once a month, perform a quick deep clean. Run an empty cycle with vinegar and wipe down the area under and around the unit. Think of it as a small investment that pays huge dividends in peace of mind.

Maintenance Task	Weekly	Monthly
Clean the filter	Yes
Run dishwasher nightly	Yes (or after every meal)
Run a deep vinegar cycle		Yes
Wipe under the unit		Yes

When to Call the Pros (And Exactly What to Ask)

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, a roach problem is too big to handle on your own. There is no shame in calling for professional help. In fact, it’s the smartest move you can make in certain situations.

The red flags are clear. If you continue to see roaches during the day, find them in multiple appliances, or your DIY treatments haven’t worked after two weeks, it’s time to call an exterminator. This often means the infestation is deeply rooted in your walls or coming from a neighbor in a multi-unit building.

When you call, don’t just ask for a “spray.” Demand a company that uses Integrated Pest Management (IPM). This approach focuses on finding the source, sealing entry points, and using targeted, low-toxicity treatments rather than just fogging your home with chemicals.

“If you see two or more roaches, it’s likely an infestation that requires professional attention.” — University Entomologist

The cost for professional pest control can range from $100 to $600, but it is worth every penny for the safety and peace of mind it brings.

Stay Roach-Free: Your Kitchen Health Check

You’ve done the hard work. You’ve cleaned, sealed, and secured your kitchen. Now you can celebrate your victory and enjoy a truly clean home. To keep it that way, just stay vigilant.

Once a month, do a quick inspection. Grab a flashlight and look under your sink and appliances. Watch for any new dark specks, shed skins, or other signs of trouble. Think of your whole kitchen as a defensive line. Keep food stored in airtight containers, fix any new leaks right away, and keep dark corners free of clutter.

You didn’t just clean your dishwasher. You faced a nightmare and reclaimed your home. You took control and created a safe, healthy space for your family. That feeling is the real win.

Conclusion

I know we started this journey in a state of panic. But now, you are empowered. You know exactly how to get rid of cockroaches in dishwasher using smart, safe methods. By focusing on deep cleaning, targeted treatments, and sealing them out for good, you’ve permanently flipped the script on these pests.

Imagine the calm of opening your dishwasher to find nothing but sparkling clean dishes. There are no skittering surprises, no lingering worries. That sense of peace is what you’ve earned. Stay vigilant with your new habits, and your kitchen will remain a roach-free sanctuary.

How to Get Rid of Roaches in A Dishwasher (FAQs)