Dangers of roaches in multi unit?

[Jack Reed Durand]

I am looking at buying a condo. I am 100% behind buying it based on the walkthrough/numbers, but I just found out it is currently being treated for roaches. Even if the exterminator treats the property for roaches, can I be sure that the problem is taken care of due to the fact that it is surrounded on all sides by other units? I live in Denver, so hopefully since it isn’t a climate the bugs normally thrive in treating the unit will take care of the the problem. Is it typically an isolated problem based on the prior tenants habits? Or am I looking at the possibility of a systematic building problem? Is there a way to verify with the seller’s exterminator that the problem would likely be taken care of?

Thank you,

Jack

[Will Fraser]

Hi @Jack Reed Durand!  The efficiency of the treatment will depend on 1. where the problem is and 2. how the treatment is applied.  You certainly CAN be rid of a cockroach problem, but it will take some smart treating.  

The roaches live mostly in the walls and other interstitial space, like the area between a 1st and 2nd floor.  Since they love walls any unit that roaches are observed in should have ALL touching units treated, too.  To fail to do this ensures that the roaches have a way to go to escape the poison. 

Additionally I've heard from a credible source that las cucarachas have an instinct in which the mothers drop their egg sacs the moment they detect danger.  Because of this having sequential treatments for all affected areas and those that surround the affected areas is crucial.  You've got to kill the mamas and the thing that hatch from those dropped egg sacs once they hatch.