I'm coming out of lurkdom to ask about bug control

I read DU often, but almost never post (yes, I have a VERY low post count). I just don't have a lot of free time, and mostly read LBN. But a few weeks ago I saw a couple of threads about natural, human-safe bug control ideas.

Well, last night I had a HORRIBLE experience!! I opened a cabinet--the one where I keep pet supplies and treats--and cockroaches literally fell out of it!! I was shocked!! I've never had cock roaches before! Never!! But there they were--dozens of 'em! I'm embarrassed to tell anyone, because I don't want people to think it's because my house is that unclean. I'm not the best housekeeper in the world, but I didn't think it was this bad. And, as I say, I've never had 'em before.

I had some diatomaceous earth in the house that I use for flea control. I took a paper cup and literally threw cup after cup of the powder into the cupboard. I then left it open, and left the kitchen light on for the night, hoping they'd go away when it isn't the closed dark area that they found it.

Before I went to work this morning, I sealed up the dog and cat food (which were in a different, but neighboring cabinet) in ziploc bags, made sure there were no dishes in the sink, and just sprinkled diatomacious earth on the floor of the kitchen. I'm in my office now, and dreading going home tonight, knowing that I share my home with dozens (at least) of six-footed invaders.

I wish I had taken more notice of those earlier threads. I'd really appreciate it if those who had suggestions would once again post those. I'd like to do things that will get rid of the cockroaches, but not hurt my dog and cat. And my nieces often spend weekends with me, so I want the house safe for them, too.

I've also posted to a few "green" boards asking for advice. So, please, help. Or, really, HELP!!

Thanks.

DD

but after come through the cockroach wars I can tell you this get some Super Combat Roach discs they work and work very well.

I actually think roach bait things would be okay, too, if I put 'em where the animals or kids can't get to 'em. So, if you say these things work, I'm willing to try 'em. Thanks!

Thanks!!

Oh, and sorry to hear about your cockroach wars. I'm hoping I've jsut survived my first and last skirmish!

I discovered it when I lived in South Florida. In my opinion, it is the next best thing invented next to air-conditioning in the South.

from the south...cockroach capital of the world. 2 inchers that fly.

And if you really want to go green...a couple geckos would help. Roaches are their favorite food.

But I fear geckos may be tasty to cats--maybe even to dogs.

You see the food chain in action. Lizards eat the roaches, cats eat the lizards.

Apparently woodlice are afraid of them, so maybe cockroaches are as well.

But I think I'll try something a bit stronger first. Like Faulkner.

Also, you might call your various pest services and see if any of them offer an "organic" program. I have one like this; they come every quarter and more often if necessary. Of course, I do live in the south, where there are Evil Giant Flying Cockroaches, so I don't skimp on pest control. :D

I am not going to live with these things in my house!!

And nature cheats. Go for the hard stuff and spray till you can't see your hand in front of your face. Then spray some more just to be sure.

I do NOT want those things in my house!! I'm going to stop at the hardware store on the way home, and get something to KILL the mothers!! I didn't invite them, and I'm not obligated to be nice!! The more I think about them in MY kithcen, the more my skin crawls. The more my skin crawls, the more I want to see 'em DEAD!!

Damn right!

they probably came in on one of those packages in that cupbord you found them in, if you haven't seen them anywhere else. Especially if it was well sealed. Leaving it open was probably a mistake.

Clean up any food, garbage and dry up any water/moisture. Here is some info - try the Google for lots more. http://lancaster.unl.edu/enviro/pest/factsheets/120-94.htm

I didn't have 'em as bad as it sounds you do, but I saw a few in the middle of the summer, and it freaked me out. I cleaned like mad (I'm the worst housekeeper in the world--or I was, until the roaches showed up.) I also stopped leaving pet food out at night--which means I'm now awakened much earlier than I used to be.

Then I sprinkled diatomaceous earth in my carpets and furniture, and on my floors. I did this again, later in the summer, when I had a REAL battle with fleas. It helped both times. I then "puffed" boric acid into cracks and crevices--places where the pets wouldn't get into it. Finally, just to be safe, I bought some of the roach bait things--maybe the Combat kind someone mentioned upthread, can't recall the brand name I have (I'm in my office, too). I just set these in kitchen cabinets, on my bookshelves, on rafters in the basement, again, places the critters can't reach. This combination of things seems to have taken care of the problem, but, again, my problem wasn't as severe as yours.

If I were you, I'd do these things, but if these didn't work after a couple of weeks, I'd call an exterminator. Cockroaches falling out of cupboards is pretty much my idea of hell. Just be sure to tell the exterminator about your pets and nieces. They're suppose to tailor their service to those kinds of concerns (says my assistant, who has them come to her house quarterly).

they were in the insulation under the fridgerator. That when I got rid of that nest I eliminated them.

you probably won't be able to get rid of the roachs swithout professional services.

the ones you see -- especially where you've seen a good quantity -- is the very tip of the ice brg.

it's a good chance that you have them in your walls.

also -- please realize roaches can survive a lot of poisons -- organic methods probably won't do much to them.

sorry for the bad news -- but i used to live in new york city.

I haven't seen any more tonight. I still have that cabinet open, but I kind of figure there are more that I can't see. That's what I've always heard about cock roaches. I just can't understand how I have so many all of a sudden. It just creeps me out!!

Thanks. It is bad news, but you're probably being realistic. I did buy the Combat things, and have placed them all over. But I probably need to call a pro. Damn!

I've begun in earnest to deal with the invaders. Here's the plan...First I'm assiduously cleaning EVERYWHERE, and getting rid of any clutter where the little fuckers might feel at home. I've gotten rid of any and all cardboard, and am using plastic bags or plastic or glass containers instead. I've put clothes, Christmas decorations and other things in storage in either plastic bins or those large Ziploc bags. I no longer leave any dishes in the sink. Period.
I put the dog and cat's food away at night, and put their water dish in a larger dish with a soap water "moat" around it.

I've bought the Combat baits and put them in the cabinet where I saw the beasts (which is now completely empty, except for the bait), in other cabinets, on top of kitchen cabinets, at various spots in the basement and bathrooms. I've bought the kinds for both large and small roaches, because, well, these looked HUGE to me, but I don't think I'm evaluating the situation objectively. There are baits pretty much ANYWHERE that the pets can't get too. I've put either boric acid or diatomaceous earth in cracks and crevices, between applainces, etc. I've read in several sources that catnip is a natural roach repellent. In fact, this would explain why they were in one cabinet, but not the one next to it--which actually had the dog and cat dry food. That cabinet also contained a large bag of catnip. So, I've bought catnip tea bags and placed them in every coupboard that contains food, and in all my clothing drawers.

Much of the above was done because Orkin can't get here until next week. They said the unusually warm fall waeather is keeping vermin (that was the Orkin ladies word--and it fits!) unusually active and keeping populations up. So the good folks at Orkin are quite busy. She told me to take many of the above precautions while I wait. But next week the professionals show up.

So, my six-legged friends, prepare to meet your maker. If you've got amends to make, now would be the time.

Thanks, DUers for your help.

I live in Texas where flying roaches (not 2 inches...more like 4 and I'm not kidding) love to pay visits to even the cleanest of homes.

I went out and bought (at the drugstore) some plug-in device that repels bugs. You just put it in an outlet, like a night light, and it sends repelling sound waves throughout your home. It even penetrates the walls, making bugs want to live elsewhere. It's safe around pets, so no worries there...and IT WORKS.

Costs about $30...you should really look into it!

I found a bunch of websites that said these things don't work. Otherwise, I would've bought one. Maybe worth reconsidering. Thanks! :hi:

the wiring of the house. It will say so on the package.

We had a small problem w/ ants and bought one of the sonic devices a couple of years ago. It works like a charm. I find the occasional spider in the far reaches of the house now and then, but that's it. No ants, or any kind of bug. Pretty good considering we live next to a park that is all forest for 5 miles.

He also had roaches that wouldn't quit. Root was an old drunk that was pretty free with his beer, when I was younger and still drank I'd hang out with him, Root's house was a haven for roaches to call him filthy would have been kind.

Anyway, root got evicted and we were moving him, he had a sonic roach repeller on top of his fridge, when I reached to get it to pack it, the roaches just flew out of it, I think they may have been sacrificing themselves, but it was solid roaches. I dropped it quick fast and in a hurry, kicked it out of the house roaches and all.

So I can't say if they work or not, I don't know if a division were throwing themselves on it to kill the waves or whether they just liked it for the warmth, I'll take the bait disc's any day.