German Roach Treatment

[Joel C.]

I just purchased a little house that will need a decent bit of work to get ready for rent (we're working the BRRRR method). We won't be jumping into the rehab on it until January.

The only thing that made me a little nervous about this one is a german cockroach problem, which I've never had to deal with.  The roaches are in the kitchen, which is going to be gutted and replaced when we start the rehab, and it appears the previous owners treated with something (or maybe the cold weather has killed them off - I just haven't seen any live roaches).  Should I just treat the place with boric acid and traps for a bit before we start the rehab to be safe, or are german roaches persistent enough that you would recommend hiring a professional to come treat?  

[Gail K.]

As a fellow Evans/Augustan (I'm in Richmond county) I know the joys of battling german roaches in rental properties.

I use professional products I purchase from domyownpestcontrol (online).  Hiring a professional they would use the same products; typically starting with spraying down the area (Suspend or Talstar P are excellent products) , followed by baits (Advion,  Max Force gel).  Folks like foggers but it's often recommended that these not be used when you're using baits; the foggers will kill those running around on the outside but often will drive others into walls.   The idea with baits is that the roach eats the bait, goes back to the nest, dies; the other roaches eat the dead one and ingest the poison and they die.

Probably more than you wanted to know about roaches!

Gail