What causes roaches to come into your house when you're very clean? How do you get rid of them?

Question

I'm a very clean person and the other day I saw a roach in my house when I got home and the very next day I saw one again. I couldn't believe it. I'm not even sure why they came. How can I get rid of them? Does the fact that I live in a townhouse where I'm connected wall to wall to other people make me more likely to have them? I'm grossed out and I want them gone! Thanks guys =)

Answer 1

There are several types of roaches. Here in Georgia we have one called a Palmetto bug. They are quite large and are found outdoors. Sometimes they get in through whatever opening they can find. The one you have to be concerned about is the German cockroach. They multiply quickly and like living in your house.

You can be very clean and still have them just by bringing them home in the groceries, and yes, if you have neighbors that have an infestation some will likely make it into your home.

Control is a numbers game. Kill as many of them as you can before they can reproduce. You'll most likely never get rid of every single one, but you can come close.

I have recommended a product called Bengal ( like the tiger) to several people who have asked this question. I have purchased it at both Ace hardware and Kroger supermarket. It costs about $8 per can. Follow the directions and you will kick butt.

Answer 2

Get some roach baits and place where you see roaches.

Answer 3

Yes, living in a townhouse where you are near people who if they aren't as clean as you, can be your problem.  Also, you can bring roaches home yourself from the grocery store in packages of potatoes and other foods.  People who have roaches in their homes and come to visit you can also bring them to your home.  

I had all new furniture and found out that I was living in an apartment next to people who weren't very clean. The roaches were coming out at night in my apartment after we turned the lights out for bed. They weren't there when we moved in. I visited the neighbors to find out if they had my problem. Their apartment walls had roaches in the day time which is when I went over and you couldn't walk from them on the floor. Need I say my eyes told me what I wanted to ask, but didn't need to in my short visit there.

I didn't want them as bad as the neighbors. I didn't want them at all.  Already I was keeping my whole apartment clean and paid special attention to my kitchen.  I washed my dishes, dried and put them up. I cleaned my counters, stove, icebox, swept and mopped my kitchen every night no matter if I was ill or just plain tierd. Yes, I mopped every night. We had an infant whom I moved in our room and kept a nightlight on for.   My husband sprayed the entire apartment several times a week.

We complained and the landlords had our building professionally sprayed.  The roaches were gone for a few days.  The neighbors didn't change.  We moved as soon as we could to a roach free house.  The roaches moved, too. They were in our furniture.  In a matter of a few weeks they were everywhere. We had to have a professional out. I had to take everything out of the closets, drawers, cabinets,etc. They sprayed the entire house, set off several bombs which left white stuff over everything.  My family had to leave for the day because it was so toxic. The next day I had to open up the house for hours and let it air our before I could go back in to clean up.  It took me two or three days to clean clothes, dishes and everything else.

We had to have the company to come out once a month for a year to spray, before we didn't see any roaches.  If you can afford it, move and  buy furniture from a used dealer until you can do better, if you think they may be coming from others in your townhouse.

I wash my potatoes, tomatoes, apples and such with cold water in the sink and dry as soon as I get home from the store and take cans out of packages, wash of the tops of sodas, etc. They sometimes have rat urine on them which is harmful. Most people just open and drink. The empty packages go outside in a can with a lid on it.  Roaches are hard creatures to rid.  I think the Tech told me that there are thousands in one egg and they are constantly laying them you know. They crawl down into children's ears and they bite and carry disease.  I hope what I have written you is helpful. The best of luck to you.

Answer 4

Yes you very well could be sharing these roaches with the neighbors. The landlord will have to bomb the whole building. Also remember it is very easy to bring roaches into the house with things such as a bag of potatoes. Good luck