How do I keep roaches out of my Apartment?

Question

Hi! We've had a lot of rain lately and I keep my apartment clean (I vacuum every other day and dust, take out the trash, etc. very regularly). I was wondering if there was any kind of homemade product that I can put outside my apartment door to ward off those yucky little creatures?

Thanks all for the wonderful suggestions! I used to live in Texas, but now live near Atlanta, Georgia, I live in a wooded area, so wondering if that may be part of the problem?

Answer 1

Try buying a can of roach spray. Spray the edges of all windows, doors, entryways outside of your house. Buy some of those roach traps ( I forgot what the correct term is). They look like little black squares, and put them in food cabinets, bathroom cabinets, the pantry, ect. You might want to clear out all cabinets in the kitchen and bathroom (especially under the sink where is dark and sometimes damp) and check if there is or isn't a roach nest. If you're gonna be away for awhile (a few days), you might want to hire a professional to fumigate the place.

Answer 2

1. Use boric acid. In a highly diluted form boric acid is used as an eye was so don't become overly nervous about using it liberaly. If you have very small children or pets you should limit usage to places they don't reach or get into as it can be harmful if ingested in the undiluted form which you need to use.
A very thin line around the perimiter of every shelf. Under the sink. Around the base of the toilet. In the closets. Any place that they might be using to enter you apartment. It works by burning their feet.

2. Search for even the most miniscule holes in the walls , floors, molding etc. and plug them up ! Check your entry door. Make sure there is no space for them to enter. Put down a thin line of boric acid in front of your door. It's the anti-welcome mat for roaches or any other crawling insects,

Answer 3

If you have big almost black in color these come from the drains.If you have long narrow ones with wings and reddish brown these come from outdoors. They like wooded areas.Both of these are impossible to get completely rid of.Now the good news. If you got roaches these are the ones you want.The little brown ones that like to get in your kitchen cabinet are German roaches.They often have a bean like sack hanging from the back end of them.You can find these and their empty shells in draw and under the fridge , etc.Each one of these sacks contain 35-50 baby roaches.One German roach can produce 55,000 roaches a year if left untreated. Call an exterminator , make sure he guarantees his work.Now the bad part . A clean house is a must to get rid of these pest but you said that you live in an apartment .So if your neighbor has the roach problem and keeps a dirty house they will always have roaches.Now guess who their roaches are going to come and visit at egg hatching time.

Answer 4

From your handle, I assume you live in Texas. I have lived in Houston all my life and have learned 2 things about apts. and roaches.

1. If you live in an apt. and your neighbor has bugs, you also have bugs (no matter how clean you keep your house). I clean on a daily basis, and sometimes they just get in, especially during the summer or after it rains.
2. Roaches come in no matter what! ESPECIALLY if you live near the coast. They are gross and disgusting and there isn't much you can do about it, except invest in a rolled up newspaper and some Raid.

In conclusion, you can spend the money on a high priced exterminator or quick fixes, but they won't do ya much good.

Answer 5

Try using some boric acid (it's a white powder like substsance)that can be found at any hardware store. Sprinkle it around your apartment along the baseboards and under your cabinets and it should work. It may take a couple of weeks but after that they should be gone for good.

Answer 6

eeewww eeewww!!!! maybe try buying some of those traps from walmart? also call the management and tell them you have a bug problem. (actually i would do that first!) ask them to seal your door better with caulking or something and to provide for or spray your apartment inside and out for bugs (including pulling out plug covers and getting between the walls). see if they will provide those traps for you. an apartment complex should have maintenence that takes care of all that for you.

if you have pets don't put anything down to kill roaches or bugs that is not safe for your pet. i don't know about the homemade remedies, but i don't think i'd want my dog eating boric acid. :)

Answer 7

You sprinkle the boric acid powder around the outside edges of the rooms in your home. Sprinkle it under the sink, stove, fridge, anywhere you find roaches. It works by blocking the roaches respiratory system.

Answer 8

Bay leaves are a natural repellant. Change them every week. I get bags of them for about 69 cents over at my local market and spread them outside my door (I live in the desert where the bastards are everywhere!).

Answer 9

If your neighbors have them you will too.Sorry! Hire a pet control company is your best bet. If you're seeing new little creatures they could be water bugs. They look like roaches,but they are fatter. They will die on they own,unlike their cousins the German roaches.

Answer 10

Use Bengal....I think it works the best....also....try mopping and washing the counters with vinegar....it helps to ward off insects too (works very good on ants)....and is very natural. The smell will not last long.... Good luck!