How do you get rid of roaches (details)?

Question

We moved to a new apartment this past weekend, and we have a bit of a roach problem. They sprayed for them before we moved in, and there were many dead ones on the kitchen floor, but now they're back. I don't mean they're swarming the walls, but I see and kill at least 5 or 6 per day. I've set traps (Combat roach traps) and am waiting for them to work. I could call the office and have their pest guy come out, but they spray that stuff that gets all over EVERYTHING and will make a mess. They say it's safe for kids, but I have two young toddlers who still crawl around/play and have to pick up everything and put it in their mouths. :) Any advice/suggestion what I can do?

I forgot to mention--we're in a ground/terrace level apartment, and the back of our apartment is built into an embankment, so the back half of the place is semi-underground, causing it to be damp. It's not ridiculous (no water leaking through the walls, lol) but I imagine it is a little more damp in our apt. than the people upstairs. I understand roaches prefer damp/moist environments. Since our place is like this, are we fighting a lost cause?

Answer 1

Sweetie, I lived for several years in subsidized housing (low rent apartments) and can tell you from experience that you are facing an UPHILL battle.

The following suggestions work wonders, and should have them cleared out within 2 weeks...
1) go to your nearest craft-type store (Michael's, Garden Ridge, etc) and purchase 4-5 bunches of natural eucalyptus sprays. Make arrangements from them and hang them on your walls in each room of your apartment (roaches are driven away from the scent, but it's pleasant for humans)
2) purchase some Boric Acid, and sprinkle it behind all your appliances, under your cabinets, and anywhere else that roaches tend to dwell (pay close attention to anywhere with heat.....roaches tend to breed in those areas).

Both of these were told to me by professional exterminators, and worked wonders for me.

Answer 2

I use that stuff that comes in individual boxes that has some kind of flakes in it. I was in an apartment that had not one roach. When the people below me moved out, I started seeing roaches on the staircase coming up to my apartment. Within two days, my place was infested. I was told to buy those, I did, and the problem was solved. The roaches also laid their eggs in the ground outside.

Answer 3

You could have roaches do to someone else in the apartment complex keeping a dirty apartment and not doing anything about it. It's hard to get rid of roaches when not everyone that is infected is making an effort to take care of the problem. This is one of the hazards of apartment living. Maybe you could ask to move to another apartment in the complex that does not have roaches. If they can't or will not accommodate you, then I would think that you have legal grounds to break your lease and move somewhere that does not have roaches.

Answer 4

I tried everything off of the shelf and couldnt get rid of mine...so i called terminex....they came and sprayed the first time and i thought this aint going to do anything, then they came back after that and put some bait down...(stuff you cant buy at the store) it took about 5 months to get completely rid of them and the last time he sprayed was about a month ago and ive only seen 1 roach since then and it was weak
so i would suggest telling whoever you are gettin to spray to not spray and put some bait..(gel) all over the house....believe me it works it takes time but it works I also wiped everything down with bleach before they came out
like cangoods...underneath the wrappers they lay their eggs, take everything out of your cabinets and wipe every inch with bleach...i know it sounds like alot of work but believe me it is well worth all the work when you dont see them nasty things crawling around anymore also did you know that roaches can make babies sick....when they do their business their feces contains very sickly bacteria and you can just get it by the wind blowing the feces into your direction, i did not know all this until terminex came out and informed me of all of it but ill tell you its worth it

Answer 5

Ask your neighbour if they have the same problem, if they do they should exterminate the whole building.
Try to rent a house if you can, apartment are always full of roaches, especially if the other tenants are dirty. I had the same problem when i rented, they sprayed, and I was clean but they kept comming back. They are so Gross!
MOVE OUT

Answer 6

My sister had roaches really bad, she bought some kind of powder that you put across the tops of doorways and behind stuff, I forget what it's called, but she got it at walmart for like 10 bucks, she said it killed them completely, but if your house is close to another house, no matter what you do, if your neighbor has roaches, they will keep coming into your home.

Answer 7

What I have heard... if you see 1 then there are 20 more living under appliances, in the walls, in tvs... and any where its warm and dark.
I would bomb the appt. then have a super spring cleaning day to get rid of the residue. I personally would avoid allowing the childern any kind of exposure to the chemicals.

Answer 8

I know that there is this white paste stuff that helps but i can't remember the name of it but it works wonders. just go to any home hardware store and ask. the spray is useless.

Answer 9

I would have them spray it.

After they spray you should wash all the dishes and stuff anyways.

Or go to the store and buy some do it yourself stuff. Then cover the things you don't want the extra to fall on.

Answer 10

If ya really wanna get rid of em call Orkin.