Please Help Me Get Rid of German Cockroaches

Cherry12 on 29/12/2015 - 19:48
Last edited 04/01/2016 - 19:44

Hi guys,

I rent a one bedroom apartment in a block of 10 apartments. Cockroaches just freak me out, can't feel good at home if I see them here, I even scream every time I see them :(, so please give me some advice.

Background: started to see a couple of cockroaches, I've noticed that mostly they are coming out the water boiler (the one that supplies the hot water in the shower, sink, etc), which is locked in a door next to the kitchen sink. The door is locked with nails because the door is broken, it didn't close properly so the landlord just added them so it wouldn't be wide open before I moved in. Since the boiler door is locked I only spray "Mortein" around the door gap every night, I've added Mortein baits (those black boxes), and recently got boric acid on the kitchen floor. I've added the plain powder but the cockroaches don't seem attracted to it, only one has died from it in a weeks' time. It seems that after I add new baits the cockroaches stop coming out for 2-3 weeks, then I see baby cockroaches and in a couple of days they are big again and coming out. I usually see 2-3 cockroaches per night. The on-off situation has happened already 3 times, they seem to be gone and they are back.

What other options do I have?

  • Since I think the nest is inside/next the boiler, and the kitchen is small and doesn't have any window, if I open the door where the boiler is contained, can I safely spray Mortein or other spray there?

  • Can I put some boric acid powder next to the boiler without causing any safety issue? (I mean because of the chemicals contained in the acid next to a heat source)

  • Am I using the boric acid in a wrong way since I think the cockroaches are not attracted to it? I'm adding some of it on top of a piece of paper (just in case it may damage the vinyl floor -not sure)

P.S. I live in Melbourne, so it's a little warm at the time. Not sure if they came because of the weather or the new neighbour next door. I've googled that it's not safe to use a pest bomb in apartments. Apologies for the lengthy question and not so good grammar.

Thanks!!!

EDIT: Thanks guys for all your comments, I really appreciate your help. I've made a list with all the recipes and products to try. I've used one of the recipes and they are gone for now (hopefully forever), but getting ready with other things in case they are back.

Home & Garden

Comments

  • DrDollar on 31/12/2015 - 07:13
    +3

    I think you are bandaiding your issue. Likely those roaches are going to keep coming in waves even after you wipe them out. With cockroaches you need to get to the source.

    Warm and water together (boiler room) is perfect for those horrible creatures.

    Is there any possibility you can open up that boiler room door?

    With or without the landlord's permission?

    If the door is broken anyway, surely you can pull those nails out and seal it back up again. How does the landlord expect someone to get in to maintain the boiler if it breaks?

    Get in there and clean like crazy! Then spray a bit of Mortein's surface spray around in there in a line up the walls and on the floor.

    Essential though that you do clean in there first.

    I would say if you do not do this, no amount of bug sprays, baits or fumigation is going to get rid of them for good. You have a roach cycle that is going to keep perpetuating unless you get to the source.

    • pegasusx on 31/12/2015 - 09:22
      +2

      With cockroaches you need to get to the source.
      Warm and water together (boiler room) is perfect for >those horrible creatures.

      100% correct. I've had the same problem with a rental property and the tenants asking for pest control. They kept coming back, even with entire populations being wiped out by them with traps and acid/sprays etc. Finally had a professional pest control come in and they found a nest elevated from the floor and hot water heater. The eggs were so numerous they were like bean pods growing off the sides of the heater. After they got rid of the nest/eggs the problem went away.

    • Cherry12 on 01/01/2016 - 23:24

      Yes, I'll have to open that door, it seems the only way to finally break the cycle. Thanks!

  • Bagath on 31/12/2015 - 10:08
    +1

    I used this, worked for me.

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Maxforce-Pro-Cockroach-German-Roach-…

  • nikey2k27 on 31/12/2015 - 10:29
    +1

    http://www.bunnings.com.au/roachkill-cockroach-gel-bait_p296… Work for me we have them bad as live next door hoarder

    • WT on 13/01/2016 - 15:13

      I dont think this is working for us. I onky found 1 unexplained body and even then it could have been the one the mrs lost

      • nikey2k27 on 14/01/2016 - 08:08

        kill of baby one if you do few time big one died off.

  • [Deactivated] on 31/12/2015 - 11:04
    +1

    Do you know any martial art? Karate? Taekwondo? MMA?

    • [Deactivated] on 03/01/2016 - 05:01
      -1

      Downvote them

  • Lockieasy on 31/12/2015 - 11:29
    +2

    If you can't stand cockroaches then you probably shouldn't be living in an apartment complex.

    Did you tell the landlord yet? It's his freakin' cockroach infested property so he should be dealing with it, not you.

  • Hirolol on 31/12/2015 - 11:43
    -2

    Keep tables and benches free of food and makes sure floor is clean.
    They are coming out and finding food.
    Put everything you can in the fridge and anything that cant go in there move it somewhere else.
    If you have to, vacuum every day.
    Sorry to say but sounds like ur kitchen is not clean.

    • sraymond on 31/12/2015 - 13:27
      +2

      German cockroaches will eat each other's excrement so they can survive a long time without somebody's crumbs. They were obviously there before the OP even moved in. Sorry to say but it sounds like you have no idea….. unless you had a German cockroach infestation and you solved the problem by cleaning up your dirty kitchen.

      • Hirolol on 31/12/2015 - 13:30

        Right on the money
        Cockroach is a cockroach in my books lol

  • drayke9 on 31/12/2015 - 11:58
    +3

    I used to have a similar problem and remember spending nearly $200 buying commercial products like Mortein but they didn't quite work for me. They killed the roaches but more just kept coming. My problem persisted until I tried a Chinese product aptly named "The Last Supper". For about 2 weeks after using it, I was sweeping up dead roaches non-stop and the problem stopped after that.

    Just go into any Asian grocery store and ask for cockroach poison. It costs less than $5 - it's a small green box the size of a matchbox, with 4-5 tubes of pellets (allegedly pet friendly) that you sprinkle around the areas you see the roaches.

    Hope this helps.

    • lnq on 31/12/2015 - 23:10

      +1 for this 2$ product. I am about to say this product. you save my typing!

    • Cherry12 on 01/01/2016 - 23:41

      Ironic name, jejeje. So cheap is a must try. Thanks!

  • WT on 31/12/2015 - 12:44
    +1

    One thing to keep in mind german roaches love to live in toasters, microwaves and at the back of fridges. I think its due to being a soucre of heat/food/electrical waves.

  • Bargainaholic on 31/12/2015 - 13:04
    +1

    Get in contact with your real estate agent.

    Most probably they would organise pest control and the landlord would get invoiced.

    If it's something that is coming from the common area, perhaps they can speak to the strata managers to carry out external pest control

  • hamwhisperer on 31/12/2015 - 13:43
    +3

    Congratulations, this is your lucky day, I found your post, so your day is SAVED.

    They call me the roach whisperer, I battled these bastards for yearssssssssssssssssssssssss and I've finally beaten them entirely (4 years running now)
    I had them for at least 3 years, infestations were OFF THE CHART.

    Ok so, I've done many things to defeat them, but I'm going to list probably in order what the most important is.

    1 SILICA GEL / desiccant / dry stuff - you heard me.

    This stuff is the BUSINESS. THIS is the final defence in ruining them.
    I bought a bulk amount online for … quite a bit of money, but you can get it cheaper if you hunt around.
    Every cupboard in my house has a large quantity of this stuff in containers. http://g03.s.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1vMTiIVXXXXbaXXXXq6xXFXXXP/Hum… That's a perforated box with about 500grams in it. I bought SIX of those boxes for a small apt (likely overkill)

    2 CLEAN YOUR STUFF SPOTLESSLY (once they are gone, you can get messy again)

    I'm a pig, a proper, proper disgusting pig, like, never taught to clean by parents person.
    My apt had food on benches, it had food on plates, crumbs fall on the floor in the kitchen etc.
    I made it SPOTLESS and kept it that way for 3 months. Guess what, worked but then stopped working after a while!
    However, combined with the silica gel? Then they were gone for good. (again, #1 on the list is SILICA GEL)

    3 See these guys stuff.

    https://www.greenharvest.com.au/PestControlOrganic/Cockroach…
    Ok so the sticky mats? Useless to KILL all of them, but will thin the numbers, without silica gel? Won't fix it - BUT I really recommend having a few under the fridge, the micro, the oven as a long term indicator if problems are back. Don't buy a lot, they WON'T solve the problem but fantastic indicator if the problem is entirely gone, or just heavily reduced.

    Dead end cockroach mats: I just don't know? I have been using them but I can't tell if they worked. They may have ASSISTED the silica gel but I can't be sure they did anything with certainty.

    Roach prufe: I think this stuff is pretty legit.
    I used this in random small containers, inside the cupboards (away from food) it's bright blue and looks like it'd kill anything.
    I ended up actually in a weird way making 'extra' desiccant by putting some rice inside a container, covering it in this nasty blue crap, then putting a lid with fairly large holes in it. The idea is the rice not only dries out the air, but it is food too, if the roaches come looking for the rice, they get the prufe too.

    That's basically it.
    To summarise
    CLEAN LIKE CRAZY, use pine-o-clean on the floor, use spray and wipe inside ALL surfaces in the cupboards
    Put down silica gel to make EVERY cupboard dry as a goddamn bone
    Drop down some of the fancy, expensive roach killer products from Green harvest (not affiliated, promise) Sure it's expensive for the gel and the products but once you kill em right, you'll never see them again and I can assure you… I've had a few depressed, messy, food all over the place winters in the past couple of years, still not a single roach.

    Just to make it clear - those roach sticky mats are about 12cm x 25cm - there's a small attractant pill in the middle.
    300cm square of surface, right. I swear to you I'm not lying, I could fill one up in 3 or 4 weeks, FILLED - you could barely see the surface, like at LEAST 1 to 200 roaches on it.
    Now I see none.

    Good luck.

    EDIT: (actually read your post)
    I used about 700 to 1000 grams of rice, with the roach prufe inside my "boiler cupboard" - it's built into the kitchen in my apt, only about 100cm high, but with spare room in there - rice is cheaper than silica gel and that's a damp little cupboard at times - once it was dry, it's been fine since TBH.

    • hamwhisperer on 31/12/2015 - 13:48
      +4

      If you need a hand feel free to message me btw.

      • Cherry12 on 02/01/2016 - 00:43

        Thanks for the advice! I checked the website, do you mean the Sticky trap or the Dead-end mats?

        • hamwhisperer on 02/01/2016 - 11:24

          I actually purchased a starter kit, all 3, Roach Prufe, Sticky Trap (it's a matt) and Dead end mats.

          But seriously, CLEAN and DRY DRY DRY - VERY DRY.
          You can buy cupboard dry stuff at Coles / Woolworths but it's expensive and not as good as silica gel - they have a pic of a hippo on the front.

        • Cherry12 on 04/01/2016 - 19:32
          +1

          @hamwhisperer: Thanks, I'm on the waiting list for the kit.

        • hamwhisperer on 04/01/2016 - 22:44

          @Cherry12: Good luck, I hope it works out well.

          I ended up taking crap to 11 with my kitchen too. It's very neat considering I've got so much stuff ( I've been here 10 years )
          I put 6 of these in the bottom shelf of my cupboard.
          https://2ecffd01e1ab3e9383f0-07db7b9624bbdf022e3b5395236d5cf…

          Now I don't have to bend down so far, I just slide those out to get at my stuff. But also, nothing ever touches the old painted chipboard base, except those- I pull all 6 out, wipe once a year but very little gets in there.
          Very very clean and dry - must be 4 years now since I've seen a roach, despite being a food piggy on the benchtops now and then.

  • gimli on 31/12/2015 - 13:57

    who do you call??

    • CandyMan on 31/12/2015 - 14:46
      +2

      Ghost busters?

      • biggweilo on 04/01/2016 - 11:55

        i aint afraid of no roach

    • True Bargains on 01/01/2016 - 20:48
      +1

      The real estate agent / the owner! This condition is unacceptable and they should be paying for pest removal experts. I know some will baulk at the expense. I have a place I rent out and certainly would be paying to get it sorted.

      • Cherry12 on 02/01/2016 - 00:44

        Thanks!

  • revolutio on 31/12/2015 - 14:06
    +1

    This is one of the best threads I've read on here.

    I had the same problem after my girlfriend moved in, we suspect some eggs found their way into her boxes. We ended up paying $120 for a pest controller. Overpriced considering that he was only in the apartment for about 15 minutes, but in 4 weeks I've noticed a steady decline in cochroaches and it does come with a 10 month warranty after the first visit. I've noticed the occasional cockroach since then, but all have been really groggy and easy to catch with a paper towel and throw in the bin. I assume they're the last remnants of the eggs that were originally laid.

    Here's something nasty: if you have an electric cordless kettle, try lifting the base and looking underneath. I'm ashamed to say there were about 5 living under there when he came around, and we've since bought a new kettle…

    • CandyMan on 31/12/2015 - 14:51

      I realised there as a tribe of them under my cordless kettle. So I bought a new one and flip the base upside down at nigh every few nights. I also noticed them behind my microwave, so I took the microwave outside in the sun for a day, sprayed around the bench, and now I turn the microwave off from the switch whenever I'm not using it. Don know if that makes a difference but have seen a huge reduction of cockroaches since.

    • Cherry12 on 02/01/2016 - 00:47

      Not too expensive, had no idea of prices. Not too bad compared how much I've spent on sprays, baits, acid, etc. Do you know what they used (spray, gels, mix, etc)? Thanks!

      • revolutio on 04/01/2016 - 20:45
        +1

        They use a powder for the nooks and a crannies and a paste for all the door hinges. Sorry I can't be more helpful than that. If you live in Sydney, they're called Killmore. The guy was a bit of a sexist homophobic dick, but he was an effective pest controller…

  • ankor on 31/12/2015 - 14:45
    +2

    Had a similar issue, but with mice after the 2011 Brisbane floods. Killed 6 mice in 6 weeks, had to move out cos it was an old rickety place and there were too many dodgy tenants who did shit all against the rodent infestation. The guy underneath me constantly had scabies, there were tradies next door and a self harmer who ate only bacon as well.

    My suggestion is to move out if possible, as it's likely the neighbours who keep effing it up for you..

    • WhyAmICommenting on 01/01/2016 - 11:51

      So much random, cool story!

    • Cherry12 on 02/01/2016 - 00:50

      :( I know what you mean, I wouldn't like to move but if there's no fix that's a possibility.

      • ankor on 02/01/2016 - 10:59

        Well moving out is the last option, but good luck with it all. It was also a very loud spot where we were, and in the height of Brisbanes summer and we one measured the temp to be 45deg in the living room..

  • KBZ on 31/12/2015 - 15:02

    If you go to a korean grocery shop they should sell some cockroach killing paste that cockroaches eat and die and when other cockroaches eat the infected carcas they die as well.
    I know I had great success in a humid third world country with this.

    • Cherry12 on 02/01/2016 - 00:49

      I've seen few posts with Asian stuff, will have to go to an Asian grocery shop and check them out. Thanks!

  • herberth on 31/12/2015 - 15:07
    +1

    Advion gel was the only thing that worked when we moved into this place, it was overrun. Read the reviews on Amazon - they're good entertainment also. Best investment ever and it's been several years since we have seen one now.

  • ahly92 on 31/12/2015 - 17:58

    This worked for me ;)

    https://youtu.be/rqKUMl6VLJA

    • Cherry12 on 02/01/2016 - 01:02

      Watched it, hahaha

  • Lucky13 on 31/12/2015 - 19:08
    +1

    German cockroach https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4139/4850281931_3716638a94.jpg

    • scrimshaw on 02/01/2016 - 17:34
      +1

      I did Nazi that coming.

  • psyren89 on 31/12/2015 - 20:55
    +2

    The exterminator I got in to deal with roaches in the apartment I rent identified them as German. He said that sprays will do nothing to them, and are only really effective because they're being drowned by the liquid (he also said a bottle of soapy water would be just as effective). He put down dots of a brown goo all over the skirting boards and around the kitchen, as well as under some appliances (microwave, kettle), and the number essentially dropped to 0 (a couple of stragglers here and there, but that's all).

    Before we got the exterminator in, we laid baits all around the place and sprayed everything we could find. The numbers dropped, but were still noticeable.

    • Cherry12 on 02/01/2016 - 01:33

      Thanks!

    • revolutio on 04/01/2016 - 20:47

      Yup, same with mine, the numbers dropped very quickly. Just save yourself the pain and get someone in to do it for you.

  • lgacb08 on 31/12/2015 - 23:01
    +1

    we also had problems with these guys same time last year, we used the bomb once, killed most of them, and then my wife just meticulously do the manual spraying every night for a few weeks (just turn off all the light before going to bed, they'd come out and using torch to track and spray at them). We found the Aldi spray works best and most cost effective. After a few week they just died out, almost a year now and it's going ok. But we live in separated house so your problem might be a bit difficult, just make sure no hole inside that boiler that allows these pest parading from your neighbough unit.

    • Cherry12 on 02/01/2016 - 01:34

      She did some hunting, but it paid off. Great job. Thanks for the advice!

  • lplau on 01/01/2016 - 00:06

    Mythbusters did an episode about Nukes and Cockroaches and supposedly they can survive. lol.
    http://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/mythbusters/mythbusters-da…

    Don't resist just embrace!…. haha

    • Cherry12 on 02/01/2016 - 01:13

      That's sad :(

  • mp3police on 01/01/2016 - 01:42
    +1

    boric acid kills these things slowly over time and they wont eat it straight up
    mix it with something you know they will eat

  • Stphen on 01/01/2016 - 02:36
    +1

    What you need are the natural predators of cockroaches. Get some toads, frogs, beetles, geckos and iguanas and they will clean them up in no time. Some parasitic wasps will lay their eggs inside the cockroach eggs and when they hatch eat the cockroach eggs.

    Entomopathogenic fungus works well:

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entomopathogenic_fungus

  • aman00024 on 01/01/2016 - 10:13

    Its better to get the job done by professionals…

    wudnt cost of you much….

    Health is Important….

    • hamwhisperer on 01/01/2016 - 10:25
      -5

      Nope, they use high grade poisons to utterly destroy the things and don't get to the fundamental issue.
      You need a SPOTLESS house for a while and you need a VERY VERY dry environment, that's the secret.

      • aman00024 on 01/01/2016 - 20:43

        Well they use products safe and approved products only.

        Just ask the professional if the products are safe and approved and person is licensed exterminator.

        Yes definitely u need to have clean house. No leftover bits n pieces in the kitchen table and sink shud be clean everytym…

        • Cherry12 on 02/01/2016 - 01:19

          Have everything very clean, but it's not working to kill them for long term. Will try the products recommended here that haven't already tried, then if it doesn't work, will get the professional exterminator.

          The thing I didn't know was the humidity. Will use the rice mix that someone recommended here.

        • hamwhisperer on 02/01/2016 - 11:25

          @Cherry12: Definitely dry, SO dry, clean cupboards and DRY Super Dry.

  • DarkOz on 01/01/2016 - 11:33
    +5

    You need to hire a Germinator!

  • Bonsaichop on 01/01/2016 - 14:01

    Make a beer can roach trap.

    Get a beer, drink it and leave about 1/8 beer in the can. Put it near where the roaches come out and leave it. They'll crawl in because to get the beer but can't get out.

    Yes, roaches love beer!

    • Cherry12 on 02/01/2016 - 01:20

      Really? ;)

      • Bonsaichop on 02/01/2016 - 09:22
        +1

        Yeah i'm not kidding. They're attracted to the smell + sugar. As soon as they try and crawl into the hole they're stuck and can't get out.

  • stringbean402 on 01/01/2016 - 18:33
    +1

    Buy this stuff, it is what pest controllers use. I can vouch for it… great stuff. I use it and they disappear, NOTHING for about 3-4 months. When i see one again i use another tube and clean again for another 3-4 months. Look at the reviews from the 5000 odd people.

    http://www.amazon.com/Advion-Syngenta-Cockroach-Bait-Tubes/d…

  • Mistymoo on 02/01/2016 - 00:34

    I hate cockroaches. We're battling a problem at the moment. So far we've had pros out twice, used traps and baits, used a couple tubes of maxforce gold, and tried the dead end mats. Still seeing way too many.

    I've got a thing of roach prufe as well but I'm scared to put that down as we have a beloved indoor only cat.

    I don't know what else to do but I don't want to move!

    • Cherry12 on 02/01/2016 - 01:24

      So the pros didn't work?! Can you tell which company so I won't use if necessary to hire?

      Sorry to hear your story :(

      • Mistymoo on 03/01/2016 - 22:45

        A local Western Sydney company. If I try another one, I'll use a bigger company.

      • hamwhisperer on 03/01/2016 - 22:48

        This is why I made my post earlier.
        The pros use poisons which kill a HEAP of them but the fundamental problems are
        1, 100% need to die, including eggs (almost impossible)
        2, They need to find your place NOT INVITING

        That spotless *****____DRY____**** environment they'll hate.
        I also had issues with my hot water cupboard, I loaded that thing up with all kinds of nasty powders, mats, rice (with roach prufe on it) and other stuff.
        No more roaches, 0

        Make the place spotless, dry and poisonous to them, the combo of all three will send them packing.

    • stringbean402 on 02/01/2016 - 09:56

      Fipronil in Maxforce is not very effective. Use Advion gel, the active ingredient is Indoxacarb.

      • Mistymoo on 03/01/2016 - 22:46

        I've just put down roach prufe in the worst areas and I've ordered some Advion to try.

        If they don't work, I'll call a bigger company to try and get on top of them.

  • Mumbles on 02/01/2016 - 06:25

    Without the use of poisons I have always been able to reduce the number of cockroaches to controllable numbers. It takes weeks to start seeing results and usually months before they are virtually gone.

    The primary thing is to starve them. The second thing is to stress them eg. limiting their movements by using bright lights and clearing away obstacles so that the cockroaches have to run stressful long distances between hiding spots.

    A cockroach with everything it needs has a maximum lifespan of a few months. If they are deprived of highly nutritious energy sources and are forced to expend lots of energy they will have a shorter life span (or maybe prefer to migrate elsewhere).

    You can usually kill them all in about 2-3 generations. You starve the first wave till they die out. They still have eggs that hatch creating the second wave. The second wave barely survives the starvation but still lays a few eggs. That last set of eggs gets slowly released over a few years which is definitely manageable.

    Specifically the tips I recommend:
    1) Never leave organic food scraps in the garbage bin. eg. apple core, chicken bones.

    2) If you have to leave organic food or scraps out then make sure its somewhere air tight and put somewhere hard for them to reach. eg. put left over scraps inside a lidded takeaway/ice cream container and/or inside the refrigerator.

    3) If you leave dirty dishes over night make it impossible for them to get to with a water mote. Fill the sink so that water surrounds the dishes.

    4) Know how the cockroaches are getting into the house and do not bring them in. Don't bring home cardboard boxes, newspapers, toilet paper, etc from suspicious sources eg. boxes from asian grocery store, old clothes stored in the shed, 2nd hand computer cases/electronics…

    5) Use light to minimise their hiding areas and cut down the hours they come out to feed. Leave cupboard doors open so that you can see them and they can see you.

    6) Find the cockroaches favourite places to sleep and hang out. These are usually dark+warm+humid places like the hot water system and under the sink cabinets. Cockroach droppings are the easiest sign. Now do the opposite by lighting and airing those areas. Open up cabinet doors to allow light in as well as cooling the air and drying the area.

    7) Remove as many of their hiding places and routes. If they like hiding and running behind jars on the shelf (sugar/honey/jam) or behind the bottles of detergent under the sink then move those things into the light or somewhere difficult for them to reach. If that's not possible then space those obstacles out so that the roaches have to sprint between spaces to reach the next jar as this stresses them out and expends more of their energy stores.

    8) Physically kill all individual roaches and flush them. Roaches and their eggs can still survive without their limbs or abdomen. Squashing them and flushing them is a dead sure way they won't be coming back.

    9) Make sure to clean up even the smallest liquid spills. eg. drops of sauces/honey/cordials/fruit juice on the counter. Wipe the outside of lids on sugar jars, sauce jars, sauce bottles. Another tip is to store sauce bottles inside the refrigerator.

    To summarise think about using "light", "air tightness", "water motes".

    • WT on 02/01/2016 - 10:02

      All good info. One thing i read is that they need a water source. Apparently they can live for months without food but with a good water source. Seems plausable as i found 2 baby germans in a bathroom and have found them late at night near the kitchen sink which was empty and clean.

  • brickwall on 02/01/2016 - 10:26
    +1

    Just saw an ad on TV for Talon cockroach killer gel. The label shows it works for American and German cockroaches. Hth!

  • [Deactivated] on 02/01/2016 - 14:55
    +1

    Don't have much to suggest I'm sorry OP. I used to get the little (profanity) horribly at my old place, and it was always a losing battle. Try the various surface sprays but always mix up your active ingredients (check the can) so the shits don't get immune. Good luck.

  • foxbat on 02/01/2016 - 22:46

    I found that boric acid distributed as a fine powder kills cockroaches over time. In your case I'd put a line of it at the bottom of the boiler door then get a straw and blow along the line to blow it under the door. Basically if you can coat everywhere with the boric acid dust they'll die.

    From what I could work out the boric acid is quite safe to have around the house, so you can put it as a barrier to wherever the cockroaches want to go. Put it at the back of cupboards or your micro. Also use sticky tape to cover up gaps in cupboards where they can travel unseen.

    Also, but a plugin LED wand on a lead and place it along the bottom of the door and leave it on at night (or 24/7) to stop them coming out.

    Like others suggested, keep all the water away and they should all die in a few months…

    • [Deactivated] on 03/01/2016 - 05:11

      removed

    • Cherry12 on 04/01/2016 - 19:40

      Thanks! That's a good idea, have to put some light in there so they come out and touch the poison.

  • [Deactivated] on 03/01/2016 - 04:59

    Stock standard baits from Bunnings (and yard cleanup), I think they were Mortein brand in little round black plastic holders worked at my place very well. Ratsack also works 100% as described. Surprised me.

  • doctordv8 on 03/01/2016 - 10:08
    -2

    It does not the nationality of these squatters. If they are not on your lease and or paying rent, then tell the landlord and or Immigration and have them evicted.
    Simples.

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