Exterminators for Roaches: Cost and Recommendations? (Chapel Hill, Welcome: apartments, HOA, condo)

[leftcoaster]

Hi, all.

I recently moved to the Chapel Hill area from New England, and was dismayed to discover cockroaches in my condo this week. So far, the evidence of their presence is pretty small, but from what I hear, where there is one there are more. I'm trying to do what I can to nip this in the bud, including various DIY treatments. But, I figure that a call to the exterminators will probably be in order.

A few questions about exterminators, from a gal who has lived her whole life until now north of the Mason-Dixon:
What do exterminators generally cost? My place is just around 1000 sq. feet.
Do you have any companies that you would recommend? Are there companies you would steer clear of?

I've read some horror stories about exterminators and toxic chemicals that have made people very sick, so I'm a little wary of this. However, I'm not optimistic about my homemade insecticide and boric acid tricks. Anyone have NC-specific tips (other than keeping a clean house) for dealing with roaches?

Thanks.

[MikeJaquish]

Originally Posted by leftcoaster

Hi, all.

I recently moved to the Chapel Hill area from New England, and was dismayed to discover cockroaches in my condo this week. So far, the evidence of their presence is pretty small, but from what I hear, where there is one there are more. I'm trying to do what I can to nip this in the bud, including various DIY treatments. But, I figure that a call to the exterminators will probably be in order.

A few questions about exterminators, from a gal who has lived her whole life until now north of the Mason-Dixon:
What do exterminators generally cost? My place is just around 1000 sq. feet.
Do you have any companies that you would recommend? Are there companies you would steer clear of?

I've read some horror stories about exterminators and toxic chemicals that have made people very sick, so I'm a little wary of this. However, I'm not optimistic about my homemade insecticide and boric acid tricks. Anyone have NC-specific tips (other than keeping a clean house) for dealing with roaches?

Thanks.

I would think that extermination would be covered in your HOS/condo association dues.
Anyway, usually a quarterly trip by a pest control company is sufficient, once there is some control in place. It may take a couple of trips to get things under control in the beginning.
I would expect to pay from $60 to $80 quarterly, with a guarantee for a return service if the little buggers come back out.

Wish I could give you a recommendation, but not sure in Chapel Hill. I think you will be farther ahead to get local service instead of going with a national company, though.

[saturnfan]

Dodson Brothers is great at out apt complex.

[leftcoaster]

Thanks for the tips. I'll see what I can find about Dodson Bros.

Mike, you're right - in the long run, the HOA should cover this; but right now, I'm the only occupant in my complex, and we don't have a HOA set up yet. Either way, I'll figure it out. If anyone else has recommendations or tips, I'd love to hear them.

[Dutch1962]

HOAs usually only allow for exterior service with interior upon request.but hey it comes with the fees so use it up......

Welcome

[lamishra]

It depends on the type of roach. There are german cockraoches, which are known to "infest" apartments. For those, you need to get someone who will spray your interior but it likely won't do much good unless your whole unit is treated. Then there are the regular brown "wood" roaches which generally live outside and find their way in. They do not infest nor breed indoors. For those roaches, there isn't a whole lot you can do. We have regular pesticide service but they still occassionally get in. Put up a few roach traps in key locations.