How bad is it?

[MzMiss123]

I've only seen 1 or 2 roaches since we moved here last summer. (We live in a house, in a wooded subdivision.)

Now, mosquitoes (sp?) and other little critters are another story!!! Most of them are harmless......just more of a pain to deal with. When I go outside during warm weather, I'm extra careful to either turn off the front porch light and/or close the door behind me VERY quickly, so they don't fly into the house.

My dream home in the Triangle area will have a screened-in porch!!!

[NCMommy2-4]

I haven't seen any roaches at all and I work in a large hotel for 2 yrs that serves food.. no bugs in there at ALL and thats a fact.

Linda

[robert-del-Gatos]

Some older apartments have worse problems, but they're often in otherwise great sections of town with restaurants and culture within walking distance. Converted houses and areas with large student populations seem to be the worst.

Many of the advertised bug chemicals work quickly, but are dangerous and leave residue, and many insects are resistant. Once the stuff clears out the insects will be back.

Boric acid which comes in powder form is the cheapest, safest way to get rid of the pests. A large container is around a dollar. You won't see it advertised because it's so cheap and no one company has a patent on it. Just spread the power in corners and crevices and within a week or two the bugs disappear. It keeps working for months. Boric acid is naturally found in small amounts in many fruits. It kills by damaging the insects' exoskeleton. It also works on termites.

[saturnfan]

I used boric acid in Los Angeles - great. Not too good in humid areas. Powder cakes up.

[JJingle]

I've seen ants. That is about the extent of it. And, those are gone due to the wonderful advice of this board.