Also, have a pretty good idea of the original source. I have been helping this elderly couple with paperwork for a year or so. Tried getting adult services and mental health services involved with them but they refused and agencies said not enough to force it legally, but those people have never seen the inside of their house (hoarders). They brought a box of food (left over food pantry) as a "gift" of appreciation and likely came from there. Especially when the old man told me that all you have to do if you see a roach is leave an empty chip bag out and they will be attracted, crawl in, and not be able to get out. He offered to bring some empty bags. . . .

Anonymous wrote:OP.. one roach usually means the scout. More to follow. You can EASILY fix the roach problem by bringing ants. The two species do not coexist. So if one is in place the other will move out.

A funny trick I learned as a kid on a girl scout camp...

when you see a fast running roach and you want to catch it . immediately blow on it.. while you do it
he will STOP in his tracks immediately. Then just grab a glass with one hand as you blow on it
and cover the guy. Then think of plan B. You can wedge a cardboard under the glass and transport him
to the park or nearest Roach bus out of town. I sure hope you don't hurt living things.

I don't hurt spiders, I ignore ants, I do squash a roach if I have a chance. Never tried blowing in its ear though. The scout had found a nice warm place in the coffeemaker and raised a family with kids that didn't want to move out.

Anonymous wrote:dumb question but what is wrong with them?

This is OP. I don't mind ants, spiders, harvestmen (aka daddy longlegs), centipedes (used to show up in bathtub of a garden apartment). I'm fine with snakes outside. I occasionally get carpet beetles in a corner of the kitchen , I sweep them up but am not disturbed by them. Cockroaches are disturbing. Maybe too many scary internet pictures, but I was terrified of them overrunning the place and don't even want one.

dumb question but what is wrong with them?

Anonymous wrote:Came back to update. I did diatomaceous earth, used up a can of roach and ant spray that had sat under the sink for a few years. Then dusted and put out bait traps. Got some Pestblock expanding foam (old house, there are gaps between the counter backsplash and wall because the wall is not even, other gaps and cracks) but wanted to get rid of them first before possibly steering them to another location.

Every so often an adult but more often a few little babies, always on the same counter in the kitchen. Never a noticeably increasing population but persistent. And they were German roaches.

Then it dawned on me--the babies especially would show up when I moved the coffeemaker. I finally realized they weren't hiding there, they were living in the base (not, fortunately, in the coffee producing area, never saw a bug or part of a bug in the water well or anywhere else when I made coffee). Bagged up the coffee maker and tossed it. Not a single bug since.

Then I googled it, many, many tales of cockroaches in coffee makers and apparently a chronic problem in commercial places.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get the poison that they bring back to the nest. Always works.

Recommendation? I VERY rarely buy pesticides. When I have glanced at aisles it's pretty bewildering.

Whatever you bring into your house you will end up having in your blood system and so will your kids, pets etc. This is the last thing to do to use pesticides indoors. HORRIBLE idea. There are many natural ways to make your house unwelcome. LOOK for them.

OP.. one roach usually means the scout. More to follow. You can EASILY fix the roach problem by bringing ants. The two species do not coexist. So if one is in place the other will move out.

A funny trick I learned as a kid on a girl scout camp...

when you see a fast running roach and you want to catch it . immediately blow on it.. while you do it
he will STOP in his tracks immediately. Then just grab a glass with one hand as you blow on it
and cover the guy. Then think of plan B. You can wedge a cardboard under the glass and transport him
to the park or nearest Roach bus out of town. I sure hope you don't hurt living things.

Anonymous wrote:Get the poison that they bring back to the nest. Always works.

Ugh.. Pp you are such a ... roach killer.

Came back to update. I did diatomaceous earth, used up a can of roach and ant spray that had sat under the sink for a few years. Then dusted and put out bait traps. Got some Pestblock expanding foam (old house, there are gaps between the counter backsplash and wall because the wall is not even, other gaps and cracks) but wanted to get rid of them first before possibly steering them to another location.

Every so often an adult but more often a few little babies, always on the same counter in the kitchen. Never a noticeably increasing population but persistent. And they were German roaches.

Then it dawned on me--the babies especially would show up when I moved the coffeemaker. I finally realized they weren't hiding there, they were living in the base (not, fortunately, in the coffee producing area, never saw a bug or part of a bug in the water well or anywhere else when I made coffee). Bagged up the coffee maker and tossed it. Not a single bug since.

Then I googled it, many, many tales of cockroaches in coffee makers and apparently a chronic problem in commercial places.

Anonymous wrote:Advion Cockroach Gel is what the pros use. Check the reviews on amazon.

+1.

I wiped out literally thousands of them with this stuff (no, not at my house). Make sure you read the warning label.

Advion Cockroach Gel is what the pros use. Check the reviews on amazon.

Where do you live, OP? We occasionally have roaches in Alexandria.

Ugh. I just came across one in our mostly empty basement yesterday. We had a sofa in a large box delivered into the basement two days ago, and I suspect it's from that. I was able to get rid of it. We unpacked the sofa today, but we are getting rid of that box ASAP.

Get some boric acid and a bulb duster and dust it around baseboards, clear all kitchen cabinets and wipe down with white vinegar then spread dust of dichotomous earth, keep your sinks wiped out (dry).
Treat sighting as fair warning of impending population explosion.

Anonymous wrote:It depends on the type of roach and the location. The smaller ones are German roaches, they're invasive and tend to show up in the kitchen.
There are harmless kinds of roaches (wood roaches I believe)- they get inside by mistake (usually in the basement)- they don't breed/nest inside.
The fact that you saw this roach in your kitchen is worrisome. You need to call a pest control company asap. They will inspect the house and let you know the situation.

This is the correct answer.

I suspect you have an infestation of German roaches somewhere in your kitchen. Possibly the inside of a drawer, under a kitchen cabinet, or even underneath a coffee machine.

If you can afford to, get the pest control guy out. Tell him not to mess around with traps, etc. if he can see any evidence of infestation he should proceed directly to the strong chemicals.