Safe pet pest control help plzzzz!!!!

[Liljae9263]

I live in a small apartment and unfortunately I am finding small German roaches. I deep clean my place once a week and keep the sink clear every night. My place stays p clean. And yet here they r. (Honestly might be bc of my neighbor and the sudden heat waves we’ve got)

anyways, I’m taking this srs and trying to treat it now. I grew up in a roach infested house and I do NOT want to deal with that again UGH. I bought roach motels and laid them out, but I don’t trust those to really work. I bought a pet safe spray but it turns out it’s just really concentrated mint to drive pests out, not kill them.

So I’m looking for some pet safe pest treatment options ! I don’t want to hurt Franklin! I can’t really bomb the place bc I don’t have anywhere to keep him for long enough for the bomb (and also idk if I would have to replace all his dirt and stuff. Idk how strong those bombs r. And I don’t wanna hurt any neighbors animals in case I bomb.) I was doing research and some people said boric acid is a good roach treatment and pet safe as long as it’s not ingested. Anyone know how true this is for tortoises?? Does anyone have any other options? Franklin is in a room that I can close the door to if that helps. I just want like a powder to sprinkle around to kill these things.

Like I said we’ve had a recent heat wave. It’s been getting into 80’s everyday and my apartment is v humid. I just bought 2 damp rid things to help with that, but idk how well that’s working. Ik roaches (and other bugs) like warm moist places . I’m also trying to fix my window so I can finally open it and hopefully help with air flow and such. It gets so stuffy in here.

And I don’t trust my landlord to help with this problem. I’ve had issues just getting maintenance in for simple things. So I’ve been trying to learn to solve a lot of problems on my own. They also don’t know about Franklin and I don’t wanna get caught . They apparently spray for pests outside tho.

Thx for the help!!! I’m so sad and embarrassed I have to deal with this but ik it’s a (v gross) part of life UGH!!!

 

[Tom]

I find the roach motels work very well and they are safe for the tortoises and other animals too.

 

[Megatron's Mom]

Those roaches are the worst. Sadly if your landlord will not fumigate the building they will just continue to grow. They are really hard to get rid of. We got sticky traps at walmart, better than the motels. It's a carboard that you fold into a tunnel with super sticky glue on it like the rat traps. They work great because the roaches carry around their eggs. So when they get caught they eggs sack does too and all babies that hatch will also be stuck. Again if your landlord doesn't help I would plan to move when you can. My inlaws brought a box full of books over from their place and bam we were infested. Tried everything under the sun. No food left the kitchen, I scrubbed all walls, vacuumed everything I could think of. Even took the plates of the switches and sockets. Pest control came over and over and they weren't making a dent in the population. Then they had to send in the big guns. We had to get everything out of the house all pets all food. Take everything out of the cabinets. The thing about roaches is they can survive on an only finger print left behind. We had to Do 3 treatments I can't remember how far apart. It might have been every 3 weeks. Finally they are gone(knocking on wood as I type). Luckily this was before I got the tortoises, geckos and frog. The dogs were easy for this, I just sat outside with them for 4 hours until it was safe to go back in and put everything back into place.

 

[Liljae9263]

Unfortunately

Those roaches are the worst. Sadly if your landlord will not fumigate the building they will just continue to grow. They are really hard to get rid of. We got sticky traps at walmart, better than the motels. It's a carboard that you fold into a tunnel with super sticky glue on it like the rat traps. They work great because the roaches carry around their eggs. So when they get caught they eggs sack does too and all babies that hatch will also be stuck. Again if your landlord doesn't help I would plan to move when you can. My inlaws brought a box full of books over from their place and bam we were infested. Tried everything under the sun. No food left the kitchen, I scrubbed all walls, vacuumed everything I could think of. Even took the plates of the switches and sockets. Pest control came over and over and they weren't making a dent in the population. Then they had to send in the big guns. We had to get everything out of the house all pets all food. Take everything out of the cabinets. The thing about roaches is they can survive on an only finger print left behind. We had to Do 3 treatments I can't remember how far apart. It might have been every 3 weeks. Finally they are gone(knocking on wood as I type). Luckily this was before I got the tortoises, geckos and frog. The dogs were easy for this, I just sat outside with them for 4 hours until it was safe to go back in and put everything back into place

Unfortunately this is the only place I can afford and even then I’m barely scraping by. Most places where I live r 1k a month for rent which is ridiculous. I’m looking to get a better paying job but that has been a struggle and even then idk if it’ll be enough to move out rn. I have too much debt I’m trying to get down.

Their old apartment buildings and for what they r they’re p nice. I don’t have central air, or a washer/dryer and there’s termites eating away the kitchen counter (which I’m sure the landlord knows about since someone shoved support blocks underneath) but I have a roof over my head and food every night. I’m making it through until one day I can have better but for now, this is where I’m at.

 

[Liljae9263]

I just purchased some roach gel I plan to line the kitchen cabinets with as that’s the main place I see them. I looked it up and it should be safe as long as it’s not ingested (which Frankie won’t even have a chance for that) If I still see them after this I’m buying glue traps. I’ve only seen a handful of them but I’m declaring war sooner than later !!!

 

[zovick]

I just purchased some roach gel I plan to line the kitchen cabinets with as that’s the main place I see them. I looked it up and it should be safe as long as it’s not ingested (which Frankie won’t even have a chance for that) If I still see them after this I’m buying glue traps. I’ve only seen a handful of them but I’m declaring war sooner than later !!!

Good luck. I know it is very frustrating for you.

 

[Megatron's Mom]

Unfortunately

Unfortunately this is the only place I can afford and even then I’m barely scraping by. Most places where I live r 1k a month for rent which is ridiculous. I’m looking to get a better paying job but that has been a struggle and even then idk if it’ll be enough to move out rn. I have too much debt I’m trying to get down.

Their old apartment buildings and for what they r they’re p nice. I don’t have central air, or a washer/dryer and there’s termites eating away the kitchen counter (which I’m sure the landlord knows about since someone shoved support blocks underneath) but I have a roof over my head and food every night. I’m making it through until one day I can have better but for now, this is where I’m at.

Yes rent sucks everywhere from what I'm told. Plus a shortage of places doesn't help. Find the sticky tape stuff even if it's for rats and mice. Put them on top the cabinets and inside. Put them everywhere you can think of in the kitchen. All it can do it help.

Good news though now that you are aware. When can be proactive and not bring them with you to the the next place.

 

[Megatron's Mom]

I just purchased some roach gel I plan to line the kitchen cabinets with as that’s the main place I see them. I looked it up and it should be safe as long as it’s not ingested (which Frankie won’t even have a chance for that) If I still see them after this I’m buying glue traps. I’ve only seen a handful of them but I’m declaring war sooner than later !!!

Put the gel in the middle of the glue traps it will draw them in.

 

[James.lamantia]

I just purchased some roach gel I plan to line the kitchen cabinets with as that’s the main place I see them. I looked it up and it should be safe as long as it’s not ingested (which Frankie won’t even have a chance for that) If I still see them after this I’m buying glue traps. I’ve only seen a handful of them but I’m declaring war sooner than later !!!

I was a exterminator when I was much younger and was going to tell you to go the gel route. You put small amounts under the edge of the counter, inside the cabinets, and around the plumbing lines where they come into the house. If you want to go a step further they make dust products as well. Depending on how handy you are, I would take off all of the light switches and eletrical plates and dust inside the outlet box (please be careful as you can get shocked if you touch an open wire). You can also use the dust around the plumbing line where they come in the wall. Thos will help creat a barrier between your unit and the neighbors. Make sure you don't get the dust where you put the bait or the bait wont work. When the bait gets eaten they travel back in the walls and other one will eat the dead roach which helps. Good luck. If it gets worst I can give you some other options but they would require a sprayer, chemicals and you would definitely need to either isolate or more the tortious until it fully dries.

 

[Liljae9263]

I was an exterminator when I was much younger and was going to tell you to go the gel route. You put small amounts under the edge of the counter, inside the cabinets, and around the plumbing lines where they come into the house. If you want to go a step further they make dust products as well. Depending on how handy you are, I would take off all of the light switches and eletrical plates and dust inside the outlet box (please be careful as you can get shocked if you touch an open wire). You can also use the dust around the plumbing line where they come in the wall. Thos will help creat a barrier between your unit and the neighbors. Make sure you don't get the dust where you put the bait or the bait wont work. When the bait gets eaten they travel back in the walls and other one will eat the dead roach which helps. Good luck. If it gets worst I can give you some other options but they would require a sprayer, chemicals and you would definitely need to either isolate or more the tortious until it fully dries.

THANK U SO MUCH!!! Yea I’ve seen a lot of people talk about boric acid as a powder based thing and that was gonna be my last resort bc then I would take the outlet covers off and move the fridge out an everything to apply that. And buy the duster for it of course. Tonight I’ll put the gel. I wasn’t exactly sure where to put it so thx for clearing that up!!! I really have no place to go with Franklin so I’m really trying to do treatment that doesn’t require leaving and airing it out.

 

[RhodaE]

Is there someone you can leave your tortoise with for a few days while you tackle the situation fully? I would do that. If you don't know anyone, surely someone on this forum lives not far. Maybe do this twice a year or something until you can move. Our son lives in GA and had a similar situation, but no pets. We helped him move and tried SO hard to ensure no stowaways but one or two must have slipped through but the new place they're at sprays a LOT. So it is under control. Just make sure your apartment manager doesn't enter your place without your knowledge to spray.

 

[Liljae9263]

Is there someone you can leave your tortoise with for a few days while you tackle the situation fully? I would do that. If you don't know anyone, surely someone on this forum lives not far. Maybe do this twice a year or something until you can move. Our son lives in GA and had a similar situation, but no pets. We helped him move and tried SO hard to ensure no stowaways but one or two must have slipped through but the new place they're at sprays a LOT. So it is under control. Just make sure your apartment manager doesn't enter your place without your knowledge to spray.

My landlord won’t enter without my say so for pest control. I have to specifically ask them to spray inside b4 they do.

If it gets concerning I will work out if there’s anyone I can leave Franklin with.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

My landlord won’t enter without my say so for pest control. I have to specifically ask them to spray inside b4 they do.

If it gets concerning I will work out if there’s anyone I can leave Franklin with.

Yeah, if it comes to sprayings, you don't want to have Franklin in the apartment.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Damn I’m sorry you’re dealing with this!! Some areas are renowned for these guys, nothing to be embarrassed about, you definitely aren’t alone, lots of folks have to deal with them as pests

I hope the gel works out for you! As long as it’s no kind of aerosol you’ll be fine, like you say, Franklin doesn’t have direct access to anything you’re putting down on the floors, so don’t worry, your little boy is safekeep us in the loop

 

[mojo_1]

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[Maidenhair59]

I live in a small apartment and unfortunately I am finding small German roaches. I deep clean my place once a week and keep the sink clear every night. My place stays p clean. And yet here they r. (Honestly might be bc of my neighbor and the sudden heat waves we’ve got)

anyways, I’m taking this srs and trying to treat it now. I grew up in a roach infested house and I do NOT want to deal with that again UGH. I bought roach motels and laid them out, but I don’t trust those to really work. I bought a pet safe spray but it turns out it’s just really concentrated mint to drive pests out, not kill them.

So I’m looking for some pet safe pest treatment options ! I don’t want to hurt Franklin! I can’t really bomb the place bc I don’t have anywhere to keep him for long enough for the bomb (and also idk if I would have to replace all his dirt and stuff. Idk how strong those bombs r. And I don’t wanna hurt any neighbors animals in case I bomb.) I was doing research and some people said boric acid is a good roach treatment and pet safe as long as it’s not ingested. Anyone know how true this is for tortoises?? Does anyone have any other options? Franklin is in a room that I can close the door to if that helps. I just want like a powder to sprinkle around to kill these things.

Like I said we’ve had a recent heat wave. It’s been getting into 80’s everyday and my apartment is v humid. I just bought 2 damp rid things to help with that, but idk how well that’s working. Ik roaches (and other bugs) like warm moist places . I’m also trying to fix my window so I can finally open it and hopefully help with air flow and such. It gets so stuffy in here.

And I don’t trust my landlord to help with this problem. I’ve had issues just getting maintenance in for simple things. So I’ve been trying to learn to solve a lot of problems on my own. They also don’t know about Franklin and I don’t wanna get caught . They apparently spray for pests outside tho.

Thx for the help!!! I’m so sad and embarrassed I have to deal with this but ik it’s a (v gross) part of life UGH!!!

I use food grade Diatomaceous earth to repel the ants that sneak into my kitchen every spring. It's safe, natural, and can even be taken as a dietary supplement . I don't know if it works for roaches but it's worth trying . Good luck ! Roaches are hard to eliminate completely. ( no need to feel embarrassed , it's not your fault)

 

[Thordaddy]

I have found that german roaches start in the yard. If there are rotting leaves in the yard, they need to be removed. This is an ideal breeding ground and they will move into the house.

 

[68776SA7]

I live in a small apartment and unfortunately I am finding small German roaches. I deep clean my place once a week and keep the sink clear every night. My place stays p clean. And yet here they r. (Honestly might be bc of my neighbor and the sudden heat waves we’ve got)

anyways, I’m taking this srs and trying to treat it now. I grew up in a roach infested house and I do NOT want to deal with that again UGH. I bought roach motels and laid them out, but I don’t trust those to really work. I bought a pet safe spray but it turns out it’s just really concentrated mint to drive pests out, not kill them.

So I’m looking for some pet safe pest treatment options ! I don’t want to hurt Franklin! I can’t really bomb the place bc I don’t have anywhere to keep him for long enough for the bomb (and also idk if I would have to replace all his dirt and stuff. Idk how strong those bombs r. And I don’t wanna hurt any neighbors animals in case I bomb.) I was doing research and some people said boric acid is a good roach treatment and pet safe as long as it’s not ingested. Anyone know how true this is for tortoises?? Does anyone have any other options? Franklin is in a room that I can close the door to if that helps. I just want like a powder to sprinkle around to kill these things.

Like I said we’ve had a recent heat wave. It’s been getting into 80’s everyday and my apartment is v humid. I just bought 2 damp rid things to help with that, but idk how well that’s working. Ik roaches (and other bugs) like warm moist places . I’m also trying to fix my window so I can finally open it and hopefully help with air flow and such. It gets so stuffy in here.

And I don’t trust my landlord to help with this problem. I’ve had issues just getting maintenance in for simple things. So I’ve been trying to learn to solve a lot of problems on my own. They also don’t know about Franklin and I don’t wanna get caught . They apparently spray for pests outside tho.

Thx for the help!!! I’m so sad and embarrassed I have to deal with this but ik it’s a (v gross) part of life UGH!!!

Diatomaceous Earth.I’ve used it for MANY years. I have a parrot and several turtles and tortoises.They can eat it.You can eat it yourself.It is a natural de wormer.It is a fine dust of the skeletons of diatoms and cell structure of algae.(silica)It comes in many grades and the grade I buy is for the removal of fleas and ticks from dogs/cats.It is food grade DE.Never had a problem with my bird or reptiles or even electronics.This powder is so fine that when an bug or spider walks through it it picks up the dust that cuts the soft parts of the arthropods body dehydrating it but not before it returns to its hiding among others spreading the dust.I swear by it.It’s not poisonous or toxic.I live where brown recluse spiders are everywhere.I occasionally get a neighbor that brings in **** roaches.Yet I’m not bothered by either.I won’t use pesticides for fear of my pets health.This natural bug ridder is the thing to buy. I bought mine from Revival pet products but there are several sources out there.You won’t be disappointed.

 

[Pippen's Pal]

I live in a small apartment and unfortunately I am finding small German roaches. I deep clean my place once a week and keep the sink clear every night. My place stays p clean. And yet here they r. (Honestly might be bc of my neighbor and the sudden heat waves we’ve got)

anyways, I’m taking this srs and trying to treat it now. I grew up in a roach infested house and I do NOT want to deal with that again UGH. I bought roach motels and laid them out, but I don’t trust those to really work. I bought a pet safe spray but it turns out it’s just really concentrated mint to drive pests out, not kill them.

So I’m looking for some pet safe pest treatment options ! I don’t want to hurt Franklin! I can’t really bomb the place bc I don’t have anywhere to keep him for long enough for the bomb (and also idk if I would have to replace all his dirt and stuff. Idk how strong those bombs r. And I don’t wanna hurt any neighbors animals in case I bomb.) I was doing research and some people said boric acid is a good roach treatment and pet safe as long as it’s not ingested. Anyone know how true this is for tortoises?? Does anyone have any other options? Franklin is in a room that I can close the door to if that helps. I just want like a powder to sprinkle around to kill these things.

Like I said we’ve had a recent heat wave. It’s been getting into 80’s everyday and my apartment is v humid. I just bought 2 damp rid things to help with that, but idk how well that’s working. Ik roaches (and other bugs) like warm moist places . I’m also trying to fix my window so I can finally open it and hopefully help with air flow and such. It gets so stuffy in here.

And I don’t trust my landlord to help with this problem. I’ve had issues just getting maintenance in for simple things. So I’ve been trying to learn to solve a lot of problems on my own. They also don’t know about Franklin and I don’t wanna get caught . They apparently spray for pests outside tho.

Thx for the help!!! I’m so sad and embarrassed I have to deal with this but ik it’s a (v gross) part of life UGH!!!

Hi there, try find food grade diatomateous earth. Not poisonous. Takes a bit of time because it dries out the roaches. Some people use it to treat for fleas and even eat it as a worm preventative.
Please try not to use sticky traps, they are horrific and have already been banned in some countries because they even trap birds and lizards. Good luck!

 

[Liljae9263]

I was an exterminator when I was much younger and was going to tell you to go the gel route. You put small amounts under the edge of the counter, inside the cabinets, and around the plumbing lines where they come into the house. If you want to go a step further they make dust products as well. Depending on how handy you are, I would take off all of the light switches and eletrical plates and dust inside the outlet box (please be careful as you can get shocked if you touch an open wire). You can also use the dust around the plumbing line where they come in the wall. Thos will help creat a barrier between your unit and the neighbors. Make sure you don't get the dust where you put the bait or the bait wont work. When the bait gets eaten they travel back in the walls and other one will eat the dead roach which helps. Good luck. If it gets worst I can give you some other options but they would require a sprayer, chemicals and you would definitely need to either isolate or more the tortious until it fully dries.

So I put the roach gel all along the walls and sides of the under the sink cabinet, along where the pipes enter the floor/wall and then put some along the bottom of the kitchen sink by the floor. I also put small dollops under the fridge and oven bc ik those r warm places for them. I was gonna pull the fridge and stove out to get behind them but I honestly don’t think I can do that by myself . The package said to do small dime sized dollops so that’s what I tried to do. Wasn’t sure how spaced out it should be so I guesstimated but maybe a couple inches between???

In good ol southern fashion we had that insane heat wave last week and now it’s back to cool mornings and nights. I thought with the cold the roaches would go back into hiding but last night I found one on the burner on the stove while I was cooking and this morn I found a teeny tiny baby in the sink (which is kinda my fault. I feel asleep on the couch and forgot to wash the dishes ) it seems now I’m seeing one a day which is concerning.

This morn I used the rest of my tube of roach gel to put it along a crevice I found behind the sink where it meets the wall. I also took 2 roach motels I had placed at the front of the apartment and placed them under the fridge and oven since I can’t pull them out rn to see the damage. Hopefully that does SOMETHING.

I think I might buy more gel just in case. I’m sure there’s more areas I could cover.

Ig it’s a good sign I’m ONLY seeing them in the kitchen. I’ve seen them no where else in the apartment and I kill the ones I see on sight. I’ve also only seen one a day like I said. Truthfully it hasn’t been a lot compared to how bad Ik this situation can be. Anyways, I’m trying to be vigilant on this.

i really believe they’re from my neighbor as they’re only coming from that wall I share with them. I’ve never met my neighbor, idk how their life style is and if they’re taking care of the problem on their side as well. The only thing ik about them is they smoke A LOT. I come home to my house smelling of weed p frequently bc they’re smoking (.
Anyways, idk if I should report this to the landlord. i kinda believe they wouldn’t do anything about the situation and if they did I’m concerned they would want to enter my place to spray and I have to think of franklin. I really doubt they would fumigate the building as they’re multiple units connected to each other which means evacuating A LOT of people.