A party balloon offers a makeshift approach to reducing gaps around some shower drain covers. The method involves removing the cover, cutting both ends off a balloon to create a stretchy band, and fitting that band around the cover’s edge before reinstalling it securely. Where the fit allows, the material may narrow spaces cockroaches could squeeze through. However, this is not a proven pest-control solution, and it cannot block openings the band does not cover.
The priority is keeping water moving freely. Check the setup regularly for trapped hair, debris, deterioration, or loose material, and remove it immediately if drainage slows or water pools. Never let balloon pieces fall into the pipe. For more dependable prevention, clean drains, dry wet surfaces, seal gaps around plumbing, and consider a properly fitted drain screen. If cockroaches keep appearing, professional pest control can help identify the source rather than simply obstructing one possible route.