Roaches in FL (Palmetto: fit in, renting, movers)

[tazymae2010]

I have just moved to FL and I know about all the bugs, etc. BUT how do you all control the da__ things without some toxic crap that will kill you along with the roaches????????

[HWTechGuy]

The exterminator I went with only sprays outside. Inside the house they use baits. They put them in cabinets, and other out-of-sight areas.

I just moved here and in November and was kinda freaked out at first.

But, after the first exterminator visit we hardly saw anything. Then we started finding dead ones for a few days. Now, I can'y remember the last time I saw one. They come out once a month, spray the perimeter of the house, check the baits inside, and then we're good for another month. We're actually switching to bi-monthly service since things are now under control.

[Spring Hillian]

"Demon" from a DIY pest control place will do the job quite well. Follow label directions.

It mixes with water and is sprayed.

[stpeteguy]

Get the big roach motels that they sell at Lowes or Home Depot. Put a couple of boxes of those things out around your house. No more big roaches.

Make sure you get the BIG roach motels. Palmetto bugs won't fit in the smaller ones.

[bree~]

OMG! I lived in FL before and never had roaches inside. I mean you have the palmetto bugs and crap, but never indoors. We moved into our place the 15th - that was when the movers brought our stuff here from MD. I opened the dishwasher and 4 or 5 roaches came running out toward me. I called the realtor IMMEDIATELY since i was freaking out. He did send the exterminator who came 2 days later after all of our stuff was moved in here. We are renting for this first year. Exterminator said we have an infestation. Realtor says we are responsible for future sprayings. I don't see how since the expert says we have an "infestation," but I will check out landlord tenant laws and revisit it. Realtor said something to the effect that we are in FL and it is to be expected. Um, no. I had lived in this area for several years in the 90s and never had a roach problem. It is not a "Florida thing." I have been picking up all the dead icky things and sending them down the disposal as instructed. I always thought that egg sac thing was urban legend. Um apparently not. ICK!

[debvic]

Originally Posted by bree~

OMG! I lived in FL before and never had roaches inside. I mean you have the palmetto bugs and crap, but never indoors. We moved into our place the 15th - that was when the movers brought our stuff here from MD. I opened the dishwasher and 4 or 5 roaches came running out toward me. I called the realtor IMMEDIATELY since i was freaking out. He did send the exterminator who came 2 days later after all of our stuff was moved in here. We are renting for this first year. Exterminator said we have an infestation. Realtor says we are responsible for future sprayings. I don't see how since the expert says we have an "infestation," but I will check out landlord tenant laws and revisit it. Realtor said something to the effect that we are in FL and it is to be expected. Um, no. I had lived in this area for several years in the 90s and never had a roach problem. It is not a "Florida thing." I have been picking up all the dead icky things and sending them down the disposal as instructed. I always thought that egg sac thing was urban legend. Um apparently not. ICK!

Can't tell from your post if these are palmetto bugs or German roaches. German roaches are worse to deal with. What did the exterminator call them?
If you are renting I would think the owner is responsible for pest control because they carry diseases. Legally I don't know if that is law.
I have heard using a boric acid product in all cracks,crevices and inside cabinets is a safe and effective way to control bugs.

[bree~]

German roaches. I would think so too.

[Dollydo]

I've never had german roaches, only palmetto bugs. I put Boric Acid under my appliances and anywhere else I can hide it, works for me.

[rezfreak]

I yell for my husband and make him kill them. We tend to only see them during the summer though. Just saw one last night for the first time in a couple months. If husband is not home, i get the vacuum out.

[bree~]

according to bug guy though, their eggs can hatch in your vacuum. ewwwwwww! he told me to run them down the disposal (even dead ones) or flush down the toilet.