Cockroaches (Houston, Dallas: rental, house, cabinets)

[rach924]

I had my first experience with your Texas sized roaches earlier this week. We just moved into our rental home (I believe it was vacant for about 1 month) and I saw it on the bathroom wall. *shudder* We had unplugged the drains and I think it crawled up from the tub...I don't think it came in with our boxes. The house has been sprayed.

I'm absolutely TERRIFIED of these things now. I think I've seen only 2 in my 27 yrs of life before this recent one. It was the biggest I've ever seen! We've plugged the drains and will keep them like that when they're not in use. I'm terrified, though, of one being under the toilet rim (I assume they can swim up through the pipe? The lid is closed) or climbing out of the flat drain in the one bathroom.

I had no idea Texas (or the south, in general?) had this common problem. I hate it. I can't relax now in the house b/c I'm just so scared. I'm also terrified of them crawling on me at night or one falling down on me from the ceiling...Or being in my bowl in the cabinet, etc.

How do you deal with this? What else can we do besides regular spray, putting down some boric acid, putting bay leaves in the cabinets and closets, and making sure I vacuum regularly (we have little kids)?

I need some encouraging words I hate having to feel so on edge in my own home. I'm not sleeping well because of this fear...

[Squirl]

If you can put boric acid in crevices (take off switchplates and shoot some down your walls, too) they should all be gone in about 3 weeks. Or you could just put harnesses on them and go for a ride.....also call them palmetto bugs instead of cockroaches. The giant ones are palmetto bugs, the little ones are german cockroaches. German cockroaches are the invasive ones that take up residence in your house. The hugh ones wander in from outside; somehow calling them palmetto bugs makes them seem less nasty and more tropical. LOL!

[tyanger]

whoops - didn't read the 2nd post - duplicate comments.

The good news is that the really huge ones typically live outdoors and individually may wander into your home accidentally, but they don't take up permanent residence and colonize. The smaller ones are the ones that make you worry about infestation. I know that doesn't make it any less disgusting when one stares you down like you owe them money.

[MaryS80]

I've been here my whole life and those things still creep me out. For whatever reason people here are fond of calling them water bugs, but they are indeed a roach. They can come in through drains, air ducts, and even smaller openings.

Cleaning is the best defense, but nothing is fool proof, even the best house keepers here have such unwlecome guests. Sweeping the kitchen daily and wiping down the counters helps, and never leave food out at night. Don't leave pet food out on your porch that will not only attract roaches, ants, pesky birds, but possums and raccoons.

They can't bite, thank goodness but they do carry a lot of germs.

[fratermus]

Originally Posted by rach924

I'm absolutely TERRIFIED of these things now. I think I've seen only 2 in my 27 yrs of life before this recent one. It was the biggest I've ever seen! We've plugged the drains and will keep them like that when they're not in use. I'm terrified, though, of one being under the toilet rim (I assume they can swim up through the pipe? The lid is closed) or climbing out of the flat drain in the one bathroom.

Just so you don't lose your mind the first time you see it: they can fly reasonably well.

[pepper131]

Originally Posted by rach924

How do you deal with this? What else can we do besides regular spray, putting down some boric acid, putting bay leaves in the cabinets and closets, and making sure I vacuum regularly (we have little kids)?

I need some encouraging words I hate having to feel so on edge in my own home. I'm not sleeping well because of this fear...

By getting a good exterminator and having quarterly treatments. I use Eco Safe - no bad chemicals.

[Grainraiser]

They have been around for millions of years so no one can terminate them forever. Like stated keep your counter tops spotless and don't leave food in the sink. Keeping the house fairly clean will eliminate infestation but there is no way in the world you can avoid the once a month traveler.

[Lakewooder]

Maybe you should try counseling..

[bluescreen73]

Out of all the creepy crawlies we have down here cockroaches scare me the least.

Wait 'til fire ants find something in the house they want or a couple Mediterranean Geckos bolt in when you open the front door.

[kreeyax]

I never saw any palmetto bugs when I lived in Dallas. Since I moved to Houston, though....