Cockroaches and how to prevent them? (Houston, Salado: apartments, Home Depot, tenant)

[jwnulife]

I live on a third floor apartment in a complex. I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for methods to prevent cockroaches from getting into my apartment.

[tourbound129]

In an apartment, you will certainly be limited on what you can do. If you are having a problem, I would call your complex and have maintenance come and spray both inside and around your unit as well as the units around you. Also have them check for any possible points of entry (although completely eliminating this is tough because they can get in to just about any size crevice). Also, don't give them a reason to come in. Make sure you don't have any water leaks, you aren't leaving dirty dishes out to long, no uncovered food, etc.

The things can live through a nuclear blast so complete eradication is tough.

Take as many preventative measures as you can. If they are a problem in that area then they will stay a problem but you may be able to keep them outside your walls.

[WillysB]

I used to live in Houston and learned about Boric Acid early on. You can get a quart size plastic dispenser of the stuff at Home Depot, in the bug section. It used to come in tablets but haven't been able to find those lately.

You'll want to lightly spread the powder under sinks, along the cracks. Behind the stove and frig. I put some on my patio to keep them from crawling in that way. Along base boards if it looks like they're coming in that way.

The roaches will get the stuff of their legs then ingest it. Boric Acid will make their sweet little bodies explode. Unfortunately the explosion isn't big enough for personal satisfaction but the little buggers learn not to mess with Texas.

Keep away from kids, pets and other animals.

[figureskater]

Yes, Boric Acid is a very good idea. I did not know about the explosion :-D though. I thought it sterilizes them. Anyway, we got rid of them.

You may also want to use a detergent with acid to clean the drains, as drains are roaches' favorite 'doors' to your apartment. I used to apply it once in a while and I think it helped to keep them off. Another method is to plug up all the holes (like the ones between the pipes and the floor/wall, etc.) that may connect your apartment with your neighbors' - useful especially if your neighbors don't keep their apartments clean.

Keep your place clean, don't leave any food on the table - keep it always in the fridge, throw the garbage as often as you can. Make sure you clean the kitchen well after cooking.

I spent long time in several African countries and have never seen as many cockroaches as in NYC. It is difficult to keep them off here, in a pre-WWII apartment, on the 1st floor. We had tones of them, because the previous tenant was extremely dirty. Now, as we take all the precautions, we have no roach inhabitants any more, but a visitor sometimes (once in a couple of weeks) happens, even during such a cold winter like now.

Good luck.

[SaladoSam]

Another method is to plug up all the holes (like the ones between the pipes and the floor/wall, etc.) that may connect your apartment with your neighbors'

Save large plastic tops from butter tubs or oat meal or the like. You can then cut holes in the center of those plastic tops the diameter of a drain or water pipe. Then break the ring so you can fit those tops over those pipes. Then super glue or tape them to the wall.

[jwnulife]

Originally Posted by SaladoSam

Save large plastic tops from butter tubs or oat meal or the like. You can then cut holes in the center of those plastic tops the diameter of a drain or water pipe. Then break the ring so you can fit those tops over those pipes. Then super glue or tape them to the wall.

huh?