Roaches in toe kick space... (stove, paint, appliance, installed)

[magusat999]

My slumlord insisted on replacing the stove they installed in our rented house with another one The first was broken and looked like it came from the side of the road (cheap b******ds) the second one looked used, but was in better condition. The contractor told us it was stored inside this time, which I found later to be a lie.

I found out his lie because suddenly after two years of bug free living, I started seeing roaches. These roaches would run to the stove when I turned the lights on. I pulled the broiler drawer and found dirt and leaves... so. They were either hiding in it or eggs had hatched inside somewhere. Its like their base of operations. From the stove they have started to spread out, and are hiding in the toe kick space - the open space beneath the cabinetry. I am trying to think of solutions to get to them. I was thinking seal them off - but i dont see myself pulling the stove out... and if they can get there from beside the stove thats an issue. They might be behind the cabinet too - my slumlord wont address faulty sealing in that area (counters are peeling away from the walls, for example), dont know how Id get back there.

I am thinking about the toe kick space primarily - i wonder if there is a way to fill it with something, maybe a foam... a foam that kills bugs and makes it very uncomfortable to live in. Or open it up, kill mold and mildew, paint and seal it, then apply boric acid / pesticides. I have to get to this area and make it unlivable or the roaches are going to make my hone unlivable for me... Im also working on getting my slumlord to send an exterminator, but I doubt they will be pulling appliances out, popping open toe kick spaces, etc., and in this area there has been a moratorium on permanent solutions because the exterminators were losing business...yeah... thats why Atlanta Metro is over-run with bugs...

Any suggestions or thoughts?

[harry chickpea]

Code enforcement, if the guy is a true slumlord. Sounds like your problems run deeper than just roaches, which are easily handled (see the sticky at the top of the forum).

[magusat999]

Originally Posted by harry chickpea

Code enforcement, if the guy is a true slumlord. Sounds like your problems run deeper than just roaches, which are easily handled (see the sticky at the top of the forum).

I read the sticky and unfortunately there is no solution there for getting to bugs in hiding places like I described. Those solutions are for when you can get to them...

[Hedgehog_Mom]

I lived in an apartment with roaches, ants, flies, etc. I had the exterminator come out every two weeks and spray. He used something that was safe for my small children and my pets, and even without getting into the hidden spaces, he was able to get rid of the bugs. Your landlord should pay for an exterminator.

[Bungalove]

If you have all electric appliances, the easiest and cheapest way (short of getting your slumlord LL to do it) of eliminating roaches throughout the house is to get several of the Raid foggers (not the little sprayers) and put them throughout the house all at once. Shut everything up for at least 3 hours and then air the whole house out thoroughly when you come back. The foggers get into every crack and crevice and also have residual killing effects. They really are very effective and last for about 3 months. Good luck!

[Zippyman]

Go to Amazon & order some Gentrol discs. Follow the placement directions, done. Please don't fill anything with foam, no way that's ever going to work.

[Ohky0815]

go to the store and buy some bug bombs.