Cockroach problems?

Question

My husband and I just moved to a really nice apartment, but we have noticed that we have roaches now. We didn't have them before and I have 2 kids to worry about. We unpacked as quick as we could and I keep a very clean house since I am a germaphobe but still, I see them. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

General maintenance and cleaning are important because they remove the food, water, and shelter on which cockroaches depend.

Wipe off counters, tables, and stovetops after all meals, snacks, and food preparations.

Keep food confined to specific areas of the house and clean any spills immediately.

Keep all food and garbage in tightly sealed containers.

Do not leave dirty dishes in the sink, on the counter, or in the dishwasher overnight.

Remove all piles of boxes, cardboard, newspapers, etc. from both inside and around the home.

Fix leaky pipes, faucets, toilets, and other plumbing problems.

Use a bathroom fan that vents to the outside after all baths and showers to reduce humidity.

Caulk all cracks and crevices throughout the home around systems such as plumbing, electrical, and gas lines, as well as in places like cupboards and walls.


Baits and boric acid are safer, more preferable forms of treatment that limit the level of human exposure to pesticides.

Call an integrated pest management (IPM) professional to conduct a formal inspection.
IPM practices to control cockroaches are a healthier way to eliminate the problem than spraying pesticides in your home.

Answer 2

Get the Roach Motels I think they are very low in poison and actaully trap the roaches by sticking to there feet.

Get ready for this one! I learned this in college biology.

Actually raoches are very clean insects. They constantly groom and clean themselves. They also do not have a spincture muscle at the opening of the stomach, which means stuff can go into their stomachs through thier mouths but not out! This also means Roachs can't burp. Get good old non-toxic baking soda ( not powder, soda) and spread it about liberally. The roachs will walk through it . The soda get on thier feet. they lick the soda off thier feet. The soda reacts in thier stomachs just like it doe so in ours. But they can't burp the air out. I f they get enough it blows thier stomach up and it kills them.

This came from my old college professor, Prof Snyder Ohio State University.

I have tried it and it seems to work. Slowly but!

So soda out where the kids might get it and poison bait where the kids can't get to it. You might even try putting out some food surrounded by soda. To attract them to the soda.

One more thing. Check your local ordinances. Try the local court or the Board of health. Often there are laws agains a land lord renting a plac eout and not getting rid of the roaches.

See if you are in an apartment you the whole building has to be exterminated. It will do no good to kill the ones in your apartment. ON top of that you can't be clean enough. Did you know they can live off the glue on cardboard boxes?

If I were you I would just move. And Iwould move quickly! But when you do take nothing to your new place till it has been exterminated. You could carry the eggs in your over stuffed chair and they hatch in your new place. Or a box of kids toys. it just takes one pregnant female to get an infestation going.

Answer 3

I had that problem once when i moved to a new place. I can tell you, i dont like spraying poison all over everything, especially around kids. go to wal mart and buy this gel stuff in a tube called "Combat Gold." It really works good and doesnt get all over everything. it costs a little more but its worth it. The roaches will be gone in just a few days. good luck to you!

Answer 4

This is what they use in the White House...... Really!:::
Go to the drug store and get some 'Boric Acid'. Sprinkle it along the base boards and inside cabinets. This stuff will take awhile to work, but it is the most effective and it's safe for children and pets. Anything else is only temporary, toxic to humans and animals, and you have to rotate them because the roaches get immune.

Answer 5

pest control is expensive go to lowes or menards and get the traps that kill the eggs and the bug. put them in all the drawers cabinets behind stove and fridge tvs,radios and warm places. tear out any cabinet and drawer paper and throw away newspapers bags ect. In a week or so they will be gone and keep a supply of these traps on hand because you can bring them in in potatoes and other things. If you are in a duplex ect mention to your neighbors what u are doing so they can put some out also otherwise you wont get rid of them. u guys have to work together. let the landlord reimburse you if he wont turn him in to the state board of health as these are very unsanitary. take your trash out everyday and do not leave food sit out anywhere for them to feast on

Answer 6

If you want to be rid of them for good, seriously call Terminex. We had them so bad it makes my skin crawl just thinking about it, and we didn't have them when we moved in. Someone came into my house and brought them with them, and from 1 a whole army grew. I tried everything, and then finally called the guys, and within a month they were gone and I haven't seen them since. They also offer a follow-up service, just in case.

Answer 7

This website has some great homemade remedies and more info in the other one. If you're thinking of fumigating the Landlord should be responsible for this expense. It is also legal grounds to break a lease as it effects your health.

Answer 8

sprinkle boric acid(powder form) around the house where you have seen the roaches, be careful with the boric acid make sure kids can't get to it . Good Luck

Answer 9

Boric acid, it is very effective when used properly for killing cockroaches and most other insects. You can also get a house lizard, they are natural enemies and will eat them. More information at http://tinyurl.com/ofxkk

Answer 10

Get ahold of an exterminator. There are products that can be sprayed in areas where the kids can't get and that aren't harmful to you once they dry.