Yes, a cockroach can survive a microwave as it is a cold-blooded insect and has a simple design of its body. Also, it has a slower cell cycle due to which they can survive in high radiation as well as microwave radiation.
A cockroach can handle the heat produced inside the microwave easily even when the food is heated or made. This indicates that a cockroach is not impacted by microwave rays.
Household appliances like microwaves are the most common shelter for the roaches as they provide the optimum environment and perfect habitat for the cockroaches by providing them with warmth, low lighting, and shelter.
As microwaves are placed in kitchens, cockroaches like to make them their shelter as microwaves provide them with easy access to food and water.
If there is no regular cleaning of the microwave, grease, food debris, and oil build up with time due to which roaches get the substances which they need for survival and start multiplying their population. They often feast on crumbs, spilled food, and spillages.
Even when the microwave is used for cooking food, some areas within it remain cool. The radiation in a microwave is produced by a magnetron that is present on one side of the oven. In the interior of the microwave, metal lines are present which reflect radiation to the center. Also, vibration and heat are generated in it as the microwave agitates the water molecules.
Since there are some parts in the microwave that do not heat up when it is used, cockroaches move to these cold parts until they are safe. Also, they have very few water molecules in their body due to which even in the heating process, they come out unscathed.
Due to the infestation of cockroaches in the kitchen and microwave, major damage can occur as they leave droppings and eat the components inside the microwave, and therefore, severe problems can occur. If you see roaches in your microwave, they should be eliminated immediately.
Cockroach in Microwave Oven Door, what to do?
If a cockroach is present in the microwave door, you need to remove it as soon as possible. For this, first, try to take the door apart. It is not very difficult to do as modern-day microwaves have panels that are held together with clips and hooks which can be detached easily.
But as a precaution, first read the manual of your microwave or call the company before you attempt to take the door apart.
Once the door is pulled apart, use your hands to remove the cockroach and dispose of it. Now, you need to clean the glass with a solution of water and white vinegar. This solution will help to remove oil and grease and thus, other cockroaches will not get inside.
How to get roaches out of Microwave clock?
It is not very common for the roaches to get inside the microwave clock but in case it happens, you must get roaches out of the microwave clock before using the microwave. For this, the below-mentioned steps can be followed.
- The first step is to unplug the microwave from the electrical outlet or shut off the circuit breaker. This will ensure no electric current is supplied to the microwave.
- Refer to the user’s manual to find the cabinet screws that are present on the sides, back, and inside of the door. Once you find them all, unscrew them.
- With this, you will be able to slide off the cabinet, or in some models, you will be able to remove the outer cover. With this, you will be able to access the area behind the screen.
- This area needs to be vacuumed by using a small nozzle or hose. By doing this, all the cockroaches and eggs will be removed.
- Now, clean the area by wiping it and screw the clock back in place.
These steps, if followed properly, will ensure complete cockroach removal from the microwave clock.
How to keep roaches out of Microwave?
It is important to keep roaches out of the microwave for which you must use some preventive measures with which they will not enter the microwave. Below are the steps mentioned which will help you to keep roaches out of the microwave.
- After every use of the microwave, clean it thoroughly with a damp cloth. Be sure that all food spills and grease are wiped away.
- All the crumbs should be wiped out and even the area underneath the glass tray should be cleaned.
- Ensure the microwave door is always closed.
- Uneaten food should not be left inside the microwave. The food left should be either kept in the fridge or thrown in the bin.
- Cockroaches hate the smell of bay leaves, lemon slices, and peppermint oil. If anyone of these is kept in and around the microwave, cockroaches prefer to stay away.
How to get rid of cockroach smell in microwave?
To get rid of the cockroach smell in the microwave, the following steps can be helpful.
- First, spray a disinfectant inside the microwave.
- Let the disinfectant remain there for 5-10 minutes.
- Now, wipe the disinfectant with a clean cloth.
- Now take an anti-roach solution and spray it in the microwave after taking it out of the cabinet. Leave the solution for about an hour and then dry the appliance completely. This is essential to prevent rusting of the microwave.
- In the corners of the microwave, there can be some cockroaches hiding. Wipe the dead cockroaches and spray the ones that are moving.
- Once again use the disinfectant and spray it in the microwave. Leave it again for one hour. Dry the microwave thoroughly with a clean cloth.
The unpleasant smell of the cockroach often occurs after they die. This is very annoying and you must remove it as soon as possible.
Roach proof microwave
It is not possible to get a roach proof microwave as cockroaches can easily survive in harsh conditions. The microwave radiation does not cause any harm to the cockroaches.
With usage, the microwave becomes a little messy from the inside and often food spillage occurs. When it is used more and more, the food that remains stuck in the wall gets dry and becomes hard with time. The cockroaches feed on these dry food scraps and make the place as their shelter.
Thus, it is essential to clean the microwave regularly and the procedure to do so has been mentioned above. This is the only way to keep the microwave free from roaches as there is no microwave which can be said as roach proof.
What temperature will kill a cockroach?
Temperature between 0 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit will kill a cockroach. This is the reason that you don’t find cockroaches in the freezer.
Cockroaches cannot tolerate cold temperatures and they are most active between 25-30 degrees Celsius. At this temperature, they breed fast as well.
They are cold-blooded animals and require the same temperature as humans. In winters, they prefer to live inside your house as it is warm and have access to food sources and moisture. They try to enter the house through small cracks and holes and can even hide in boxes that are brought inside the house.
Once they enter the house, they become very active. Thus, it is important to prevent the entry of cockroaches into the house which can be done by always keeping the house clean.
Can you spray raid in a microwave?
No, you cannot spray raid in a microwave. Raid is good for killing flies, cockroaches, wasps, and other insects but it should not be used on any electronic appliances like microwaves because of the following reasons:
- When the raid is sprayed in a microwave, it can cause short-circuiting as it is liquid.
- It can cause corrosion and leads to long-term destruction to the microwave due to which the microwave can stop working.
- Raid when sprayed, can cause build up of waxiness due to which the glass plate may not turn at all.
Thus, when the raid is sprayed in the microwave to kill cockroaches, it may prevent the microwave from working.
Conclusion
Microwave acts as the best shelter for cockroaches, so Yes, cockroaches can easily survive a microwave. It is easy for them to survive in warm places and the microwave provides the optimum environment for the cockroach to survive.
But you can prevent them from entering the microwave by keeping it clean always and prevent infestation in the house.