Where do roaches hide during the day?

Roaches hide during the day in dark, warm, moist, and secluded places near food and water sources because they are nocturnal insects that avoid light and prefer to forage at night, so understanding hiding spots is key to effective treatment. German cockroaches, which are small light brown roaches about 1/2 inch with two dark stripes and most common indoor species, hide in kitchens and bathrooms inside cracks and crevices including under sinks, behind and under refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers, inside cabinets and drawers, in wall voids near pipes, behind baseboards, inside appliances like microwaves and toasters, and in cluttered areas with cardboard. American cockroaches, which are large reddish brown about 1.5 inches often called palmetto bugs, hide during day in basements, crawl spaces, drains, sewer pipes, under water heaters, and in moist areas like laundry rooms. Brown-banded cockroaches hide in drier, higher places like upper cabinets, closets, and behind picture frames. All roaches prefer tight spaces where their bodies touch surfaces on both sides, called thigmotactic behavior, so they squeeze into cracks as small as 1/16 inch. Signs of hiding spots include droppings that look like black pepper, egg cases, shed skins, and musty odor. To control, place gel baits containing fipronil or hydramethylnon near these hiding spots, seal cracks with caulk, fix leaks to reduce moisture, store food sealed, and vacuum thoroughly, plus professional inspection can locate hidden colonies costing $150 to $300.