Ridding palmetto bugs. (floor, fireplace, Lowes, windows)

[Ericmrtt]

I'm seeing these bugs way too often in my house. what are some effective ways of ridding these bugs besides extermination. I'm a 21 year old kid, I don't have that type of money unless I could get a deal for less than a 100 bucks. Boric acid, sugar and baking soda, maybe geckos (but are geckos big enough to hunt those big bugs down), have these methods worked or any other ways to kill off these bugs?

[studedude]

Can't help you with the bug problem. When I first saw the title I thought it said "Riding palmetto bugs". They sound a lot smaller than that.

[Moonlady]

We use those large roach baits you can buy at the grocery store. They are about $7-8. They seem to be fairly effective. If you live somewhere that you can do this, sprinkle sevin dust around the perimeter of the outside to keep them from coming in. If you're in an apartment, this is not practical.

[findinghope]

pure boric acid from one of the home improvement stores. just pour it in a line along all the walls, basement wall (if you have one), the very inside of the cabinets along the edges etc.
its cheap and i have been told it really does work. i would give it a try.
i would think sugar would attract them?

[fjtee]

I used to use the roach bombs from the store and always found dead ones upon coming home. The boric acid idea is also a good one; I've not tried it, but many acquaintances have and felt it worked. If all else fails, I personally would live on beans and rice and hire the exterminator. Those things are nasty! Good luck!

[littlelou]

Go to Lowes, and for roughly $ 10.00 a tube there is a gel solution in a syringe that you apply along the doorframes and window frames, outside and inside the cabinets...if you don't have pets, I'd put it along the floor at the base of the cabinets too. It keeps them away.

About twice a year, I spread it along the outside of the front door, windows and along the porch where the building meets the porch, and haven't had any (except 1 that rode in on my back and Annabelle Lee got 'im), in 3 years.

looks like ground up meat, kinda greyish brown, but it works.

[VesselDoc]

I live in Houston, where there are a lot of those things. They generally live outside and will sometimes (or often) find their way into the house through the fireplace, garage, pipes, etc. They do not normally live and breed inside homes (unlike German cockroaches). I found the key to keeping these things at bay is to use Spectricide or similar compound around the perimeter of the house, anywhere from a 5' to 20' wide band. Costs around $15 a bag, a bag will last for 3-4-5 applications (once a month or so). Also, get rid of anything outside where they may live and breed (old firewood, etc). Keeps ants away too.

[texasfirewheel]

This stuff is awesome! It sprays a dry powder, has no scent and it works, really works, for months. I spray it around the exterior of my garage door and all other doors. I never have roaches, waterbugs, ants or spiders anymore. I even give it as gifts (and, if you live in Houston, you understand that.) I buy mine at walgreens.com -- cost is $10.99 for a 9-oz can -- so I presume you can get it in the stores as well.

[grannynancy]

You can also use BORAX laundry additive - it works very very well.