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Moving and Leaving The Cockroaches Behind?

August 31, 2005

Miniature of a house, which is being covered and surrounded by cockroachesWe are moving in a week and there are roaches everywhere. How do I stop them from going with us?

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September 2, 20051 found this helpful
Best Answer

When I moved from a place that was crawling with cockroaches, I sprayed an ant and roach killer along the sides on the inside of the boxes, then packed them. I made sure that all my food was placed in plastic containers, and I didn't spray the boxes it was going into. I surrounded the outsides of all the boxes with boric acid powder, and I left the boxes in the middle of the floor until we could move them the next morning. We didn't take one cockroach with us, and I haven't had cockroaches in 23 years. I also wouldn't take anything I didn't have to take, to reduce your chances of carrying anything. You may also want to put some boric acid powder in your new home (cupboards, where you'll put the fridge and stove, bathroom cabinets, etc.) just in case any escape your original efforts. Boric acid is the only thing I trust to get rid of roaches, and it's cheap.

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TerryfromChilliOH

 
By Lindsay (Guest Post)
February 2, 20071 found this helpful
Best Answer

Bomb before you pack, after, and a third time in you're in the new place. Open up and check everything! Especially electronics!

 
By Caitlin (Guest Post)
October 10, 20070 found this helpful
Best Answer

I am moving from a cockroach apartment to a cockroach-free place in a few weeks. Our bugs arent bad...yet. We usually see two or 3 a night in the bathroom or kitchen. Our plan, since my roommate and I are only moving across town, is to place boxes in my truck AS WE PACK THEM, checking every item carefully for roaches, and then drive them across town as soon as we have a truckload. i.e. get everything bug free out of the house as soon as its ready to go. Hopefully this works.

We're throwing out the toaster and the microwave.

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Editor's Note: They also hide in other electronics, radios, tvs, etc. We moved once from a cockroach house and watched the babies hatch from the radio for about a month afterward.

 
November 4, 20091 found this helpful
Best Answer

Terdralynn is correct. Boric acid kills 100% of roaches and it's cheap. You can mix in a little powdered sugar if you want or even add some flour and make balls out of it.

The plain powder works really well because the roaches are like cats and clean themselves so they will ingest it and the rest of the colony will eat the dead body and kill themselves from the contamination. It is dangerous to pets and children so keep it away from them.

 
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5 More Questions

Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.

September 14, 2016

So the apartment I have been staying for the past year has had roaches and they've recently gotten worse. I can't seem to figure out how not to take them with me.

They are popping up now more frequently in things like the bathroom and the kitchen. I am pitching the toaster, microwave, and anything opened.

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Bronze Answer Medal for All Time! 220 Answers
September 15, 20160 found this helpful
Best Answer

Roaches are difficult to completely erradicate and require constant vigilance to remove. Unfortunately, no matter what roach avoidance method you try, you will most probably take some roaches to your next home. However, the best plan is to check through each item you pack carefully and thoroughly, including the boxes and bags you use to pack items (roaches love the glue in the boxes and bags!).

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Also check your car or truck for roaches, as well.

In your new place, again check literally each item carefully and especially, of course, food. Once you are settled, always be on the lookout for new roach invasions-store all food carefully, remove boxes and bags you are not using, etc.

Good Luck!!!

 
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August 15, 2018

How can you tell if your stuff has cockroaches in it before you move out? Do you have to get rid of your things?


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Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 107 Posts
August 15, 20180 found this helpful

i once moved roaches from one house to another and when i finally found a home to buy i resolved i wouldn't bring them with me

i reseaerched and learned that rubbing alcohol and boric acid will kill them

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i sprayed everything i owned, especially in the kitchen, with alcohol and things that i could not get wet i powdered with boric acid. When I unpacked every box i wiped everything in the contents in this way and disposed of the boxes.

i took extra care with electronics, to spray powder inside of them because they like to live inside of them

i also took special care of kitchen implements, to treat them in this way

i am happy to say i didnt see any roaches in the new home

one thing i recently learned about that i am interested in is roach IGR - which is basically roach birth control - it disrupts the breeding cycle and they die out www.domyown.com/roach-igrs-c-2_349.html

very expensive though

 

Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 105 Posts
August 15, 20180 found this helpful

This is always a problem when you move from one location to another if you have roaches. I lived in one apartment that was infested with roaches. Even though they sprayed several times I still had them. I needed to get out of there quickly.

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I ended up spraying all of my boxes with alcohol and packed them one at a time to ensure there were no roaches in them. After I packed one box I immediately moved it out of the house to the car. I moved several boxes at a time and did not move them into the new place until I was positive there were no more roaches in my affairs.

 

Gold Post Medal for All Time! 677 Posts
August 15, 20180 found this helpful

Unpack right away and roach bomb your house after you move in.

 

Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 196 Feedbacks
August 16, 20180 found this helpful

The best strategy is the most stressful, but it works...which is to never bring the moving boxes into the house and pack everything outside at the truck:

--Find clean boxes or if you have large plastic Rubbermaid tubs--clean them thoroughly with Clorox wipes or other cleaner...let air dry outside the day of the move
--Pack everything at the truck (making sure first that the truck is clean and doesn't have any critters of its own).
--Shake everything out before putting it in the box/tub, put the box/tub right into the truck and repeat.
--For things like dressers and beds and such...get them outside, go over them carefully and make sure they have no tag alongs and put them into the truck...if you find anything...clean thoroughly, air dry, then pack
--Before you move anything in to the new place, go through it carefully and make sure it is critter free
--Unpack outside...shake everything off again....and put it away

This is easiest with small moves...if you have a lot of stuff, it will be challenging...but from experience, I know this is the only way. I once rented a room in a mcmansion in the DC area and the roaches were the size of small children ...the landlord kept a clean house too...but she lived in an area that was just teeming with them as there was a lot of new construction...it was a nightmare...she had the exterminator on speed dial.

I lasted 1 month there and when I moved out, this was what I had to do as I didn't want to take these giant creatures to my new place.

This has logistical challenges, like if you are trying to pack and move over a period of time it can be challenging, but I made it to my new place pest free.

Good luck!!

 

Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 949 Feedbacks
August 18, 20180 found this helpful

Usually the first thing to learn is where do roaches like to live and what do they like to eat.. Think about how to use as little of their favorite foods as possible.

  • Roaches love newspaper, paper products, corrugated cardboard (boxes) and especially if it gets even a little damp.
  • Since I would never be able to pack my boxes outside (and roaches can be hiding in the boxes already) I try to use only new boxes or plastic containers (also use large garbage cans for linens, heavy winter items, (some Walmart's have these for $10) or the special vacuum seal bags that really work..
  • You can use diatomaceous earth (DE) (FOOD GRADE ONLY) or 20 Mule Team Borax to eliminate these dirty bugs.
  • I would recommend using diatomaceous-earth (DE) over 20 Mule Team Borax if there are children or pets around (just to be safe).
  • richsoil.com/diatomaceous-earth.jsp
  • thecockroachguide.com/.../
  • Buy a couple of boxes of 20 Mule Team Borax and sprinkle the bottom of boxes/containers before starting to pack. Do this with every box/container. You can place a towel over the borax or just place your clean items (clothing, dishes, almost anything) in the box and close and seal with duck tape. Write what box contains on top/sides so it can go to the correct room when moved.
  • Try not to take any more food than necessary and be sure to keep those boxes where they can be removed/opened first. Borax can go in the bottom of these boxes also. DE is very good for this as it is safe to use on shelving too - use anywhere in your home.
  • Try to not use Styrofoam as this also attracts roaches. These bugs love to live in the Styrofoam that is usually in the pots of artificial plants!!
  • Borax can also be used at your new home - some people like to mix it with cornstarch but that is not necessary.
  • Sprinkle it around the inside of bottom kitchen and bathroom cabinets and on the floor close to the baseboards.
  • If using diatomaceous-earth just use it in the same manner as described for the Borax.
 
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December 5, 2018

Has anyone tried leaving their things outside in a garage or car in freezing weather to prevent moving cockroaches with them? Do cockroaches freeze to death? If so, how long does it take?


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Gold Post Medal for All Time! 677 Posts
December 5, 20180 found this helpful

Roaches are very hardy. I would bomb my place before I moved. I would also pack eight sway. Roaches lay eggs in cardboard boxes and paper bags. Dispose of those quickly. Vacuum often. Throw away the bag outside if your vacuum has one.

 
December 6, 20180 found this helpful

Put some mothballs in your boxes as you pack them up and it will kill any roaches/eggs. Freezing weather will not affect them. They have been around for millions of years and can handle freezing weather just fine.

 

Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 107 Posts
December 8, 20180 found this helpful

nor freezing nor heat will do anything

try borax, traditional roach killer (poisonous), or another interesting product I've heard that I will get as soon as I can afford it is IGR www.amazon.com/.../B002Z3B14E (Affiliate Link)

apparently this is 'birth control' for roaches, it disrupts the breeding cycle so they can't reproduce.

the one time I was able to prevent a roach infestation from moving with me was obsessively cleanign every surface with rubbing alcohol and spraying boric acid inside every surface (even inside appliances) and throwing out all boxes before going in the new place

 

Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 196 Feedbacks
December 11, 20180 found this helpful

Unfortunately, the best strategy is the most strenuous, but it works...which is to never bring the moving boxes into the house and pack everything outside at the truck:

--Find clean boxes or if you have large plastic Rubbermaid tubs--clean them thoroughly with Clorox wipes or other cleaner...let air dry outside the day of the move

--Pack everything at the truck (making sure first that the truck is clean and doesn't have any critters of its own).

--Shake everything out before putting it in the box/tub, put the box/tub right into the truck and repeat.

--For things like dressers and beds and such...get them outside, go over them carefully and make sure they have no tag alongs and put them into the truck...if you find anything...clean thoroughly, air dry, then pack

--Before you move anything in to the new place, go through it carefully and make sure it is critter free

--Unpack outside...shake everything off again....and put it away

This is easiest with small moves...if you have a lot of stuff, it will be challenging...but from experience, I know this is the only way. I once rented a room in a mcmansion in the DC area and the roaches were the size of small children ...the landlord kept a clean house too...but she lived in an area that was just teeming with them as there was a lot of new construction...it was a nightmare...she had the exterminator on speed dial.

I lasted 1 month there and when I moved out, this was what I had to do as I didn't want to take these giant creatures to my new place.

Wishing you all the best in your move!! Post back how it goes!

 
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February 22, 2017

When packing boxes, if I taped the top and bottom flaps down as well as around the top and bottom, do you think that would keep the roaches out of the boxes until I move?


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Silver Post Medal for All Time! 255 Posts
February 22, 20170 found this helpful

Not necessarily, Roaches eat cardboard, so they can eat thru the boxes. They can also already be inside the contents of the box.

 

Gold Post Medal for All Time! 677 Posts
February 22, 20170 found this helpful

Roaches eat paper and cardboard. They hide in folds of fabric. The best thing you can do is to unpack immediately and spray if you see any roaches

 

Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 949 Feedbacks
February 23, 20170 found this helpful

A lot of cardboard is still made with glue and roaches (and some other bugs) love this stuff!
When I have to pack boxes for temporary or long term storage I always sprinkle either Diatomaceous Earth (food grade only) or 20 Mule Team Borax in the bottom of the box and on top if possible.
It does not matter what you are storing as neither of these products will harm your items or any pets or humans (when used properly. If you are storing clothing then you may want to wash when you remove from storage - but you would do that anyway - right?
Here are links that will tell you about both of these products:

richsoil.com/diatomaceous-earth.jsp

www.diyncrafts.com/.../top-10-most-creative-household-uses...

 
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January 30, 2017

I am allergic to most chemicals. What can I do to ensure I don't move these roaches with me to my new place? I have a TV, microwave, radio, and antiques. I also have pets, etc.

I can't bomb, I can't spray, I can't hurt the animals, or leave any residue on anything. Is there a solution to this problem?

Answers


Silver Post Medal for All Time! 255 Posts
January 30, 20170 found this helpful

if you have them now (which it sounds like you do) then they are inside the workings of your tc, and radio and such. I used to work for a utility company and we found them inside outlets, phone jacks and inside peoples telephones. You probably need a professional to help.

 

Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 107 Posts
January 30, 20170 found this helpful

I had a horrific German cockroach infestation (those are the smaller ones) that I effectively did transfer from one rental home to another.

When we finally 'bought' a home I vowed I would not bring them over. But like you I'm not into chemicals.

If I remember correctly, the main things I used were white vinegar and borax.

As quickly as I could, I opened and put away everything in the kitchen area and disposed of the boxes in the curb. I poured gallons, practically, of borax on every surface and on top of the boxes I'd not opened yet. I spread a film of borax everywhere. Especially the corners.

And before putting everything in its home, whether it was an appliance, dishes, pots, or foodstuffs, I would douse it or wipe it down with vinegar.

I only focused on kitchen things and it worked,I didn't see one nasty cockroach in that house for the whole time we lived there.

 
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