Where Roaches Hide During The Day And Why They Come Out At Night

Quick Answers Homeowners Want to Know

Why do roaches come out at night?
Roaches are nocturnal. Darkness helps them avoid people, pets, and disturbances while they search for food and water.

Where do roaches hide during the day?
They squeeze into tight, dark, and undisturbed areas—especially places near moisture, warmth, or food.

What does it mean if you see a roach during the day?
It often means their hiding spots are crowded or disturbed, or that limited food or water is pushing them out earlier than usual. It’s a sign to take action, not panic.

How Cockroaches Get In

Louisiana's humid climate makes your home a prime spot for cockroaches, so they always look for easy access. Moreover, they’re small enough to fit through most cracks, gaps, and openings outside the structure. They can slip through tiny cracks in your foundation and walls, crawl under doors, and even come through drains. Gaps around windows, doors, and plumbing lines are also common entry points.

Are Cockroaches Nocturnal?

Yes. Most roaches that commonly infest homes in our area, including the common German and American roaches, are nocturnal insects. They’re built for survival. Nighttime gives them cover from people, pets, and bright lights so that they can search for food and water with less disturbance. 

During the day, they stay hidden to avoid exposure.

Where Do Roaches Hide During the Day?

Roaches prefer tight spaces where their bodies touch surfaces on all sides. These areas help them feel protected and hidden.

Common Roach Hiding Spots Inside Homes

In kitchens

• Behind refrigerators and stoves
• Inside cabinets, especially under sinks
• Behind dishwashers
• Inside pantry corners or food storage areas
• In bathrooms

Under sinks

• Around plumbing lines
• Behind toilets
• Inside wall voids near moisture
• Throughout the house

Behind baseboards and trim

• Inside wall voids
• Under appliances
• Inside cluttered storage areas
• Around floor drains
• Utility and low-traffic areas

Laundry rooms

• Garages
• Crawl spaces
• Near water heaters

If a spot is dark, quiet, and slightly damp, it’s a good candidate for roach activity.

Tip: Look for droppings (pepper-like specks), egg cases, and a musty odor near these hiding spots.

What Does It Mean If You See Cockroaches During The Day?

Roaches usually emerge late at night or early in the morning, especially when the house is quiet and the lights are off. That’s why many homeowners first notice them after flipping on a kitchen or bathroom light and watching them scatter for cover.

So what does it mean if you spot a cockroach during the day? While daytime sightings don’t automatically mean a severe infestation, they are often a warning sign.

What seeing cockroaches during the day may mean:

• Hiding areas are overcrowded
• Food or water sources are limited
• Their hiding spot was disturbed
• The population is expanding into new areas

In many cases, daytime sightings indicate that roaches are being pushed out of their usual hiding places.

How to Tell You Have a Cockroach Problem

Aside from seeing live roaches, other signs can indicate an infestation even if you can’t see or access their hiding places. Here’s what to look for:

• Cockroach droppings
• Egg cases
• Baby cockroaches
• Dead roaches
• Damage to food packaging
• Musty odor

As we mentioned, seeing live roaches crawling around while the sun is still out likely means you have a severe infestation. We should also point out that if you’re finding droppings or egg cases in multiple rooms, the problem is usually bigger than what you see.

How to Reduce Cockroach Hiding Spots in Your Home

Homeowners can make their homes less inviting by:

• Sealing cracks and gaps around baseboards and plumbing
• Reducing clutter, especially in kitchens and bathrooms
• Cleaning grease buildup behind appliances
• Fixing leaks and moisture issues
• Storing food in sealed containers

These steps help, but they don’t always eliminate an established cockroach problem on their own.

How to Stop Cockroaches from Infesting Your House

If you’re consistently seeing roaches at night, or especially during the day, it’s usually time for professional help. Anti-Pest helps homeowners throughout Shreveport and Bossier City identify where roaches are hiding and address the issue at the source.

Our home pest control services deliver treatments that:

• Reach the hidden areas roaches use during the day
• Reduce activity over time, not just temporarily
• Address conditions that allow roaches to thrive
• Provide long-term control

Homeowners in Shreveport, Bossier City, and Northwest Louisiana can rely on the trusted pest professionals at Anti-Pest to eliminate and prevent cockroaches and other household pests year-round!  

What Roach Activity in Your Home Is Telling You

Roaches don’t disappear during the day—they hide. Knowing where they hide, why they come out at night, and what daytime sightings mean gives you a clearer picture of what’s happening inside your home.

If you’re seeing cockroaches during the day or noticing droppings and egg cases, it’s worth getting a professional inspection. Anti-Pest provides reliable, local cockroach control for homeowners in Shreveport, Bossier City, and across Northwest Louisiana. Get in touch with Anti-Pest today.

Originally published August 19, 2024 Updated for accuracy and relevance in 2026.