Question: I have roaches in my apartment.  The complex had a company come out and spray on the 9th of this month.  How long will it take for me not to see them anymore.  How long before they should come and spray again?  I still see them on a daily basis.

ANSWER  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.  This type of control strategy is not quite fast-acting, but 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.  The small gel placements may be eaten quickly by the cockroaches, so it will be best 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 bait. 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 recently moved into an apartment. The first night in the apartment I noticed that there could be a roach problem. I have had the apartment sprayed by the exterminator provided by the management. They spray some type of liquid in the kitchen and bathroom. I have seen no noticeable change. I do keep a clean apartment. I spray and keep the counter clean, do not keep any food out in the kitchen, vacuum often. I have purchased powders and sprays and tried my best to seal every noticeable crack. Is it possible to have a apartment treated. I know the problem possibly could be coming from neighbors but I am not used to a home with roaches. What could be done?

Question: We have these bugs that resemble roaches but they don”t really bother much of the food. They would sometimes get into the dry foods (pastas, cereals, breads) but rarely anymore. They are seen most frequently around the sink and our water areas. They get in our dishwasher and cabinets. We”ve tried roaches motels and many different sprays and it decreases the amount of them but NEVER gets rid of them. They have become a huge problem. Can you give me some idea as to what they are. As I said they look like roaches but are smaller and slimmer. They are a smoky brown.

Question: my landlord had been spraying for roaches inside and outside but it does not seem to help I actually see more! And its getting worse they are getting in my fridge and cereal what is it that she is doing wrong?

Question: I have a MAJOR roach infestation that I cannot seem to get under control.

I have tried sprays, bait, boric acid etc. nothing seems to work I have a daughter that has severe asthma and I was told that the roaches might be triggering her asthma, I need to get rid of the roaches now not six months from now as all the other pest control companies have told me, can you help? Can I have my house tented and sprayed?

ANSWER: Fumigation is not necessary.