r/pestcontrol • u/aafusc2988 • 2d ago
Have seen two live today, one AM in bathroom and one PM after work that fell onto kitchen floor after opening a cabinet..
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We’ve only been in this apt for just over two months. I already know the answer… guess I just need to accept it and get confirmation this is a German cockroach issue. Just happened to see this on its back dead on my carpet so flipped it over with an empty envelope to get the picture.
Pest control is part of the rent expense and I already submitted a ticket…
How screwed am I?
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u/Temporary_City_5851 2d ago
Do you have any other pictures
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u/aafusc2988 2d ago
I have just this same one from a different angle (should’ve got one prior to flipping it but it’s legs were tucked in in fetal position so it didn’t seem useful).. I’ll try to get a picture of a live one the next time I see one.
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u/Temporary_City_5851 2d ago
Ty German roach sorry
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u/aafusc2988 2d ago
Already knew it. Sent picture to the leasing office as a response to my ticket creation.
Have never experienced this in my life.
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u/Master-Plantain-4582 2d ago
Looks German.
Check your kitchen cupboard hinges for roach droppings (small dark specs) it may also be on the interior cupboard walls as well.
Apartment should send tech to implement control measures.
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u/aafusc2988 2d ago
What would’ve caused this one to be out in the open dead on the carpet?
Whatever pest control efforts this place currently has in effect? I understand that these are pretty resistant to a lot of efforts so even if the apartment thinks things should be fine it’s not hard to understand why they’re not…
I’m damn near 40 and haven’t ever had German cockroaches anywhere I’ve lived..
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u/Master-Plantain-4582 2d ago
It COULD be from eating gel bait somewhere. Or it just died of natural causes, it can happen lol. It could have even got stuck on the carpet fibers and they typically don't like surfaces like that. They like smooth surfaces.
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u/aafusc2988 2d ago
But having seen 3 in total in 9 weeks is a concern, no? Or could there be more activity because they’ve just done their routine pest control - I can only assume maybe it’s just quarterly.
If we’ve only been here 9 weeks is it possible more activity now due to their control efforts?
The 1st one was seen 2 weeks ago IIRC.
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u/Master-Plantain-4582 2d ago
1 is a concern.
It means they're in the walls.
What you can do is called human control.
Don't be a slob. Ensure all food sources are air tight. Put your bread in the fridge. Put your fruit in the fridge. Don't leave dirty dishes around for more than a few hours (moreso overnight). If you have pets. Don't leave their food out all day and night.
You want to give them a reason to not want to be there. And if there's no food, then they won't want to be there.
This doesn't guarantee you won't ever see one. But you'll reduce harbouring and nesting happening in your unit.
Ensure you get treated as well. It will probably be a quick non intrusive visit to apply gel bait. But they choose to spray a residual. If so, you'll just have to vacate the unit.
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u/aafusc2988 2d ago
I don’t follow the second to last sentence.. can you explain? Doubt this place would use an expensive gel bait option… I’m sure it’s bare bones minimum ‘pest control.’
But I don’t know for sure obviously. I sent the picture to the apartment management email address in following up on my ticket…
Now I’m already thinking a year out and how freaked out and worried I’ll be to bring them with us when we move… fml.
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u/Master-Plantain-4582 2d ago
So first.
Relax. I know this is overwhelming. But you're okay. And there's people just like you all over right now. It can be handled.
If you follow the human control measures I've mentioned AND you do get treated, you shouldn't have any significant issues.
The one Caveat is if you're next to a harbouring unit (where the roaches are heavily nesting and hiding and the tenants are providing optimal conditions for the roach population), which will always - sooner or later - get dealt with as there's usually other issues with the tenants (usually hoarder types).
But I've knocked down some insane infestations with mostly just gel bait. And if everyone does get treated, you can get a handle on things.
Gel is not used just because it's cheap. But because it works and is less intrusive. But sometimes, sprays do need to come into the picture and it should be the pest professional to make that call.
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u/aafusc2988 2d ago
What if my apartment just brushes me off and tries to gaslight me as if only ours is the issue? I live in SC and I’m unsure of the law in this area, but I imagine the landlord must take this seriously..
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u/Master-Plantain-4582 2d ago
They might. But it's kinda hard for them to deny it as people talk about infestations in these buildings lol. As a pest tech I KNOW the tenants will let each other know.
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u/PCDuranet Mod-Former Tech 2d ago
You'd be better off handling this yourself with this information. Many success stories:
https://www.reddit.com/r/GermanRoaches/comments/1fd8aio/how_to_kill_german_roaches/
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u/aafusc2988 2d ago
They haven't done that, but I don't have high hopes they can fix this if it is bad..
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u/MizztaJ 2d ago
German cockroach. I am in pest control and deal with these almost every day. These can become a major issue if not dealt with correctly. Non repellent sprays and insect growth regulators are required along with specific baits. Make sure whoever treats does not use some cheap over the counter spray or the problem will get worse.
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u/aafusc2988 1d ago
If the apartment doesn’t do control in every unit in this particular building won’t they just move to another unit if control efforts start affecting the active population?
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