Question: I THINK I saw a cockroach in my kitchen last night, but I am not sure whether or not it was… looks kinda like the German one in your little guide.  I like in a house converted into apartments, so I would assume it is my landlord”s responsibility to exterminate? My actual question is this: would we have to leave the house for a few days to get the extermination done or not? Also we all have pets, what”s the deal there? Do we all need to leave? I think the source is the apartment downstairs, I am extremely neat but they are not at all… does that make a difference? Thanks!

ANSWER  Nobody has to leave.

The best control strategy for the control of household cockroaches is to use baits, either the plastic bait stations or the gel formulation that comes in a plastic syringe.  These are like the ones that are available in large home or hardware stores.  This type of control strategy is much more effective than aerosol sprays and liquid treatments.

Baits should be placed where you have seen the cockroaches.  The plastic stations are best placed in corners in cabinets and under the sink and by motors of appliances like the refrigerator.  They can remain active for a long time (about three months) and provide continuous protection.  The gel formulation should be applied to cracks and crevices in the places that you have seen the cockroaches.  Pets should not b bale to get the bait when it is applied into cracks and crevices.

The small gel placements may be eaten quickly by the cockroaches, so replace the bait where you see it has been eaten.  The small nymphs (babies!) and the adults will eat the bait, even several days after you apply it.  And bait not eaten will remain effective for several months.

German cockroaches (small roaches-about ½” long) will be effectively controlled by using either of the baits. Large cockroaches, such as waterbugs (oriental cockroaches) and American cockroaches (called palmettobugs in some places) are best controlled with the gel formulation.  Remember, re-apply the bait when it is eaten.  Give this method a few weeks to work.

Related Questions:
The Orkin Man used the information above to also answer the following questions submitted by Orkin.com users.

Question: I saw one cockroach in the kitchen. We just bought the house. It passed the home insect inspection, but now I am worried. Should I be worried?

Question: What type of insecticide would you recommend for a house where there is a lot off roaches with eggs…everywhere….I need help