Hi all, we're getting a few cockroaches at our place in Wellington. We keep the house tidy, vacuum regularly, kitchen kept clean, but they keep appearing.
Other than getting exterminators in (which I am open to) what are cheapies experiences of poisons, traps, and other techniques? What's the most affordable and best option?
too chewy
too chewy
I've never found that myself - the cat must be more picky!
If you keep the windows and doors open, then they'll crawl in. Try to get insect screens installed if you can. You can DIY for window insect screens with magnets, they're easy and I've done it myself, having no experience with it in the past.
And check out the insects aisle at Bunnings or Mitre10, you might find some repellent products there for both indoor and outdoor use.
If you live by bush, wellington have native bush roaches that feed on decaying wood, leaves etc.
It isnt a sign that your place is dirty if you notice them once in a while, generally you will only notice them by themselves, not groups of them.
https://northpest.co.nz/getting-rid-cockroaches-good/#:~:tex…
Native cockroach tips:
If leaving windows open at night, have screens installed as they are more active at night and will end up inside if there is an open window, and/or make sure windows are tight fitting when they close.
Keep vegetation, leaf litter and bark gardens away from the house.
Don’t stack firewood directly against the house
German cockroach tips:
Be wary of second hand appliances – purchasing a second-hand appliance from a house which has an existing infestation is one of the main ways a house will end up infested.
If treating the problem yourself, get the gel bait – don’t use sprays or bombs, because while they will kill some of them, eradication won’t be achieved as they love to hide in cracks and crevices where sprays and bombs won’t reach. Gel bait is an attractant food for them which they actively seek.
Our cat eats cockroaches if he gets the chance.
If you have one, you could try not feeding it for a day or two. Cats will pretty much always feed themselves if you don't come to the party, and often even if you do - maybe yours will be partial to cockroaches too!
We had a mouse in the garage once too. The cat was well aware (he alerted us effectively), but wasn't all that motivated (just took to sleeping in there on the off-chance I reckon). No easy feeds for a day, and all that was left of the mouse was the tail :-)
PS: No idea why the tail was left. Maybe just to demonstrate his prowess?