Can Roaches Travel on Your Clothes? Myths & Truths!

Have you ever wondered if roaches can travel on your clothes?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this blog is for you.

1. Can Roaches Travel on Your Clothes?

Roaches and their eggs can hitch a ride on clothes, especially if they are hidden within folds.

This is how roaches from the bedroom can potentially spread to your car and other areas. It’s advisable to wash any clothing first to prevent unintentionally spreading them.

Besides, clothes provide an easy mode of transportation for roaches, and they can easily infest your car, where food particles often drop as people eat on the go.

Young roaches can also find their way into handbags, and spotting them can be challenging, especially if the handbag is made of fabric. Handbags crafted from heavy fabric, especially dark or dull-colored ones, can inadvertently facilitate the spread of roaches.

 Read more  Roach getting in a car? How To Kick Them Out!

2. Reasons why cockroaches will hide in clothes

1. Moisture

Heavy clothing will trap moisture and retain heat. This the main reason why cockroaches hide in clothes. A wooden wardrobe that is not regularly cleaned will attract roaches to breed and lay eggs.

2. Warmth in wooden wardrobes

Metallic wardrobes tend to be cold. They will not hold the outside temperatures like the wooden ones do. This will make it difficult for roaches to survive there because they do not like cold temperatures.

Wooden wardrobes on the other hand will hold off the cold and keep your clothes warm. This will encourage the roaches to breed and lay eggs in there. The eggs will have the right environment for the young ones to thrive.

3. Dirty clothes

Roaches also hide in clothes because they are attracted to our sweat and food stains. Food stains that are trapped on clothes will keep roaches in clothes. They also hide in poorly washed clothes.

Roaches are attracted to sweat and they will try to find it as they eat through the fabric. They will also leave stains on your clothes. This is one of the reasons why you should keep them away.

3. How to get rid of cockroaches in clothes

• Proper Clothing Storage: Safeguard your clothes from cockroach damage by storing them appropriately. Avoid placing them on the floor or in open spaces; instead, stack them in closed cupboards to deny easy access to cockroaches.
• Utilize Natural Cockroach Killers and Repellents: For effective cockroach prevention, consider using natural repellents like eucalyptus, peppermint, or lavender essential oil. Place cotton balls soaked in these oils inside drawers or closets to deter bugs.
• Employ Scents Detested by Cockroaches: Discourage cockroaches from approaching your clothes by utilizing scents they dislike. Mothballs or naphthalene balls placed in closets can prevent cockroaches from entering your wardrobe.
• Maintain Cleanliness: Regularly clean your living space, especially in areas prone to dirt and high humidity.
• Seal Cracks and Gaps: Prevent cockroaches from entering your home and wardrobe by sealing gaps and cracks in walls, floors, and roofs. Keep in mind that these small insects can easily infiltrate your house through these openings.

 Read more  Do roaches like peppermint: A Natural Roach-Free Solution.

4. Do cockroaches lay eggs in clothes?

That’s right. Roaches will hide and lay eggs in folded clothes because fabrics trap warmth which provides a good environment for the female to lay eggs. Folded clothes that lay in a wardrobe for a long time will be perfect for roaches to lay eggs.

Before putting on any cloth that has been folded for some time, check along the edges and the inner area. Shake it off and see if you have any roaches hiding in there.

Conclusion

You have just learned the answer to the question: Can roaches travel on your clothes?
If you have a roach infestation, you should act quickly and use effective methods to get rid of them.

If you want to learn more about how to deal with roaches and other pests, check out our other blogs from Pestweek.