{"id":3101,"date":"2026-06-23T19:34:07","date_gmt":"2026-06-23T19:34:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/durhammovinghub.com\/?p=3101"},"modified":"2026-06-23T19:34:07","modified_gmt":"2026-06-23T19:34:07","slug":"both-drought-and-rain-draw-cockroaches-indoors-in-nc-how-to-keep-them-out","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/durhammovinghub.com\/?p=3101","title":{"rendered":"Both drought and rain draw cockroaches indoors in NC. How to keep them out"},"content":{"rendered":"

AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.<\/p>\n

Read our AI Policy.<\/a><\/p>\n

When the weather is severe, many insects want to come inside to find water or stay safe. As drought conditions persist, roaches are more likely to enter your home.<\/p>\n

Read more Wolfpack men\u2019s basketball pulls out of nonconference road game with VCU<\/a><\/p>\n

NC State Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist Christopher Hayes<\/a> said outdoor roaches are looking for a secure environment.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnytime you have kind of severe weather on either side of the spectrum, either severe drought or severe flooding, it drives insects into safe spaces and more resource secure spaces,\u201d Hayes said. \u201cIf it\u2019s a drought, a cockroach is going to need water. A great place to find water is in our homes.\u201d<\/p>\n

There are more than 5,000 types of roaches, and 60-70 are found in the United States, according to the North Carolina State Extension.<\/a><\/p>\n

Hayes said people will most likely come across peridomestic cockroaches like the smokybrown cockroach. Peridomestic cockroaches live outside but frequently make their way indoors. Domestic cockroaches, like the German cockroach, live inside.<\/p>\n

Cockroaches can carry bacteria, but their potential as a vector is not understood well.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is some evidence that German cockroaches can transmit disease on their body,\u201d Hayes said. \u201cBut the biggest thing that we are concerned about in terms of cockroaches, and this is also true for bed bugs, is they are major depositors of allergens in the environment.\u201d<\/p>\n

Between 17-41% of people in the United States are allergic to cockroaches, according to The Asthma and Allergy Association of America.<\/a> Symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, itchy skin and coughing.<\/p>\n

Smokybrown cockroaches are often also called palmetto bugs and water bugs, according to the NC State Extension.<\/p>\n

Read more A Wake County commissioner is visiting Israel in an Israeli-funded trip<\/a><\/p>\n

To keep roaches out, you need to know how they get in.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt night, step outside and look at your door. If you can see light coming through it, pests can get in,\u201d Hayes said. \u201cIf you see light around the base of your door that\u2019s creeping out, it\u2019s probably a big enough gap that a cockroach could squeeze through.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cockroaches also get in through soffits, gables, cracks, windows and unsealed garage doors.<\/p>\n

Glue boards can catch roaches, but they should be kept away from children and pets. If glue gets onto an adult or child, oil can be used to get it off, Hayes said.<\/p>\n

Residual insecticides are another option, but should be handled with care. The insecticides are typically formulated to be sprayed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI always like to remind people a label violation on an insecticide is a federal offense. The label is a federally mandated law,\u201d Hayes said. \u201cIt\u2019s always a big deal to violate, but people don\u2019t think about that, they\u2019ll just kind of put stuff wherever they want and not consider waterways or drainage or wells.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hayes recommends hiring a professional to handle residual insecticide options if possible.<\/p>\n

Questions about life in North Carolina? Or have a tip or story idea you\u2019d like to share? The service journalism teams at The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer want to hear from you.<\/p>\n

You can submit your question by filling out this form<\/a><\/b>. <\/p>\n

This story was originally published June 23, 2026 at 2:35 PM<\/span> with the headline “Both drought and rain draw cockroaches indoors in NC. How to keep them out.” <\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Read more Dirty knives, crab improperly thawing at Durham restaurant: latest inspections<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As droughts persist, roaches seek water indoors. Discover practical steps\u2014seal doors, check soffits, use glue boards safely, and consider professional insecticide help.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3100,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3101","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-read-todays-edition"],"yoast_head":"\nBoth drought and rain draw cockroaches indoors in NC. 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