Pest Eradication

If you're like me, you believe that the best pest "control" is total annihilation. With that in mind, I had a rather interesting conversation the other day with a guy from an exterminator company (which shall remain nameless, for what should be obvious reasons). Here are some notes:

Probably the biggest problem the average homeowner -- or even renter -- faces is roaches (by whatever euphemism they might be known locally). Here's how to get rid of the little blighters (as well as how not to get rid of them.

First off, most over-the-counter pesticides contain two main ingredients -- pheromones to attract the little beasts, and some form of poison to kill 'em. The problem is, the pheromones outlast the poison. OK, so you've sprayed, and it's killed some. Maybe even a lot. But, as Obi-Wan said, they'll be back, and in greater numbers. Why? The pheromones are still active. So, if you must spray, use a spray that either doesn't have pheromones, or has pheromones for a different bug that won't come where you're spraying. Example: if you're spraying for wasps outside, use roach spray. If you're spraying for roaches inside, use wasp spray.

Better yet...

Here's a potent little recipe that's sure to wipe out the little devils:

Mix 1 Tbsp boric acid powder, 1 tsp apply jelly*, 5 Tbsp of peanut butter, and 1 tsp of insecticide (powder or liquid; just make sure it contains no pheromones). Take a plain soda straw and slice it end-to-end. Load the mixture into it and cut it into strips approximately 3 - 4" long. Put the cut strips in out-of-the-way places where the roaches will find it. The best place to put them would be somewhere outside (if you live in apartment, try to hide them in a common area or a storage area. The peanut butter and jelly will attract the little buggers and the poison will kill them. (*Hey, he said apple jelly and that's what I'm going with.)

Another treatment that will keep the bug population down (particularly fleas and ticks, but I have to get back to him about the particulars on this one) is to spray shaving cream (even the cheapest stuff you can find) all over your carpet, but especially at the base of the walls, and work it in with a broom. Then spray your normal carpet cleaner over it and vacuum up immediately per the instructions on the carpet cleaner.

Addendum: I think I have found the perfect killer spray -- completely non-toxic to humans, but deadly to roaches. I have an 8-ounce spray bottle into which I put approximately 1 ounce of dish soap and then filled with water. I keep it handy on the kitchen counter and grab it before I turn the kitchen light on (there is no window). If I see one, I spray it. So far, I've only seen two*, of which one got away and one I killed. (*I suspect they have some sort of Roach Telegraph and they now all know about my New Secret Weapon and have taken off for greener pastures.)