Cockroach Theory
Well, we saw our first New York cockroach today. It came surrying through the living room. I think it was at least 4 inches long. I’ve known dogs smaller than this cockroach. The good news is that we haven’t encountered any in the kitchen or in the cabinets. I haven’t even heard them. But, still, if you see one…
Rick spent about 10 minutes chasing it around the room, spraying it with various chemicals (mostly spray starch and hair spray) until it finally immobilized and he could smash it. Yuck.
I knew that it was too ambitious to believe that maybe they didn’t exist in the building. After all, this is New York and we share it with many small rodents and large insects. But, I wouldn’t have minded being in denial about it more than 2 weeks. sigh.
Anyone have any great strategies for keeping them at bay? (I won’t even pretend to believe that there might be a way to get rid of them).
Cockroaches? Well, just be happy there aren’t any rats around. City kittens are gross.
I think what you saw is actually a waterbug (at least that’s what our landlords call them).
They usually only run when you chase them, and they stop in stupid, vunerable places. When we get one, we wait until it stops and drop a plastic to-go container (you will amass a collection of these once you start ordering delivery) over it. Then you slip some cardboard from your recycling container under it and drop the whole thing in a plastic bag. I just run it out to the garbage, but feel free to smash it (ew).
Oh Jesus! We had them in Mt. View. An exterminator came out with this ‘goo’ and put it in the cabinets and bathrooms. After that, they came out and died on the kitchen floor. Then we never saw them again.
Waterbugs, maybe. I’ve heard that too but usually from landlords who are in denial about the infestation.
Roaches are usually big or really small (two types) and interested in being around in the dark. Both insects are intersted in water and food. So clean up…Poor Rick.
Put the sunglasses back on, girlfriend!
Get a lizard. ;^)
Generally.. a good cat will take care of the problem if
they are the "big cockroach kind. If your lucky, that’s
all you have (water bug, palmeto bug.. etc. etc..) they
are not a problem, the big ones don’t multiply fast, and
they are generally not a problem.
The small one’s, those are the devil’s creation. They
multiply fast, and there is nothing much you can do in
a big building but spray. Which more and more evidence
says pesticides do damage to children growing up, so
get rid of the pesticides and just hope you don’t have small ones.
If you get small ones, take out trash each night, they need food to live.
Your blog have a good sense of humor,i guess so do you.