What's going on
The space behind and under a refrigerator stays warm, has a drip pan with water in it, and collects crumbs. Microwave and oven control panels are warm and dark too. Dishwasher doors and toe-kick areas trap food and moisture. In multi-unit buildings, roaches travel between apartments through walls and pipe openings, so one clean kitchen can't always keep them out.
Inside an appliance, they're more than a nuisance. Droppings, egg cases and dead insects can collect on circuit boards and switches. Technicians commonly report touchpads that stop responding, controls that act up and boards that fail where infestations have been heavy. Liquid sprays add moisture and residue to the same electronics.
What you can check in five minutes
- Unplug the fridge, pull it out if you can do so safely, and vacuum the floor behind it and the front grille.
- Empty and wash the fridge drip pan if your model lets you reach it from the front or back.
- Wipe out crumbs from the toaster area, the stovetop edges and the dishwasher door edges.
- Look at the microwave and oven control areas for droppings around vents and seams. Don't open any housings.
- Store food in sealed containers and take the trash out nightly.
- Note where you see the most activity, so the exterminator knows where to start.
Rent, own or co-op: who handles it?
In many NYC rentals, the landlord arranges pest control and schedules the exterminator, so report sightings to the super or management, ideally in writing. In co-ops and condos, treatment is often coordinated across units, because roaches don't respect apartment lines. Check your lease or ask your building how pest service is scheduled, and ask the exterminator to keep sprays away from appliance electronics.
What a technician will look at
- •Control boards, touchpads and wiring for contamination or damage
- •The refrigerator machine compartment and condenser fan
- •Microwave and oven vent paths, from the outside, without exposing high-voltage parts to anyone untrained
- •Door gaskets where insects can hide
- •Whether contaminated parts need cleaning or replacing
Andre's field note: Pest damage to appliance controls is more common than people think. The appliance usually isn't the source. It's just the warmest spot in the room. Microwaves deserve extra care, because they hold stored high voltage inside even when unplugged, so leave the inside to microwave repair technicians. If you're moving into a new apartment, our move-in appliance check includes a look behind the fridge.
Controls acting up after an infestation? Call ProFix NYC at (929) 699-8358.