Found a roach in my apartment. Prelude to a roach problem?
Question:I just killed a really large roach in my bathroom last night. I have lived in my house for about 8 months, and this is my first time seeing a roach (though springtime is just now underway). I have heard that "if you kill one roach there are a dozen more" and similar sayings. Do you think this roach is a sign of a problem, or just a fluke stray perhaps?
Answers:
Actually I think it is a hundred more rather than a dozen more. I think there are no stray roaches, just ones that were slow to hide when you turned on the light.
Make sure you don't leave food garbage around. Make sure you don't leave water in plates in the sink or have the faucet dripping. Make sure you wipe down counter tops and tables after eating. Make sure there are no dirty dishes in the sink.
Get a roach spray or sprinkle boric acid around the edges. If that does not do enough then you need an exterminator for at least one professional treatment. Before you pay for an exterminator yourself tell the landlord he needs to send an exterminator to treat your aparment.
You probably are going to have a problem. They are attracted to moisture, so check to see if you have any leaks under sinks or out of the way unseen places.
Cockroaches are the most prolific of species. They can survive a nuclear blast. While killing one roach does mean you probably have more than one, I doubt you have what could be considered a serious infestation. Think of it this way, too. If no roaches could survive in your house, would your house be habitable for humans? Spray some Raid Max around the floorboards if you are concerned, and make sure you keep all foodstuffs tightly closed and cleaned up.
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