# Don't bug me!
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-bug-me/1466
**Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports
**Created:** [January 26, 2000, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-bug-me/1466 "2000-01-26T04:19:00Z")
**Posts on this page:** 3
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)
#### Post date: [January 26, 2000, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-bug-me/1466/1 "2000-01-26T04:19:00Z")
[http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/multrasonic.html#update](http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/multrasonic.html#update)
While this wasn’t a part of the question, it might be helpful to let suffering parties know what does kill cockroaches and crickets.
Boric acid works. It’s sold mostly as a roach and ant exterminator, but it kills crickets, too. It’s a powder that can be spread under sinks, washers, refrigerators, cabinets, drawers, along baseboards, behind the bathtub (if accessable), etc. When a roach walks through the powder, some of it will stick to its legs. Said roach will eventually cleanse itself, licking its legs in the process. The powder will work its way through the roach’s digestive system, and after 2 or 3 days, will rot its guts out. Meanwhile, so the theory goes, the roach will comingle with other roaches, poisoning them too.
If you have pets or small children, apply only in areas that are inaccessable to them.
* * *
You’re only as old as you look.
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### Author:  [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)
#### Post date: [January 26, 2000, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-bug-me/1466/2 "2000-01-26T05:13:00Z")
Now **here’s** a trip down memory lane.
[http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_019.html](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1_019.html)
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### Author:  [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)
#### Post date: [January 26, 2000, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-bug-me/1466/3 "2000-01-26T11:25:00Z")
Yes, nice report. One update: while Roach Prufe may be $8 per one-pound can, I’ve been getting the same sized plastic containers of boric acid at the Dollar General/Dollar Bill/Family Dollar-type stores for $2 each. KMart and WalMart sell them for quarters more.