Getting rid of Cockroaches, etc.

Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports
1

A long time ago I lived in an old rooming house in the windy city. It was infiested with cockroaches by the zillions and bed bugs by the thousands and both were mean little buggers.

The landlord hired exterminators who taped every opening, crack and crevice to the outside and we had to stay elsewhere when the dropped the cyanide eggs in the buckets of acid to produce hydrogen cyanide gas throughout the structure. After opening the house and removing the tape we were allowed back in. No more bugs! No nasty residue.

Just one little problem with apartment houses, all tenants have to wage consistent warfare on the little buggers or you are up against a long siege! Use the boric acid or borax and hope for the best. Caution keep it out of reach of pets!

Lots of Luck!

2

spingears. Just so everyone is on the same page, can you link to one of Cecil’s columns to which you’re responding?

Hmmm? Seems like Uncle Cecil is fascinated by roaches! You can choose from

http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1_025.html

http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1_018b.html

http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1_019.html

3

Yes, it is:
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1_019.html

Hydrogen cyanide fumigation is a job for pofessionals only. The EPA may have outlawed it due the the hazards to life of all kinds, wanted and unwanted.

An individual dwelling requires a thorough treatment first off, then consistent bait placement to prevent future visitors essaying to become residents.

At another time I worked in a large mill type building which was over run by big Norway rats. one day a big old pregnant alley cat moved in and took up residence. No more rats in evidence as they left or provided for mamma and her litter.

Lastly I was transferred to another factory facility and came in to work one morning to find an old man sitting on a material cart liesurely spreading apple butter from a huge jar on crackers to make a large pile of sandwiches. I noticed wisps of smoke from both the jar and the pile. He explained that it was yellow phosphrous which is another item poisonout to rats. Another proffessional bait that should NOT be used by individuals.