Q. In the next few days I will be moving into a new house. The current resident tells me roaches are a problem. He offered to “bomb” the place with insecticide, but that will not work for me.
What are the alternatives to toxic approaches for this age-old challenge? Is there something I could put in place before I move in? What can I use for the long term?
A. The advice column by Heloise has offered various recipes involving boric acid. Mix boric acid and flour (half and half) and place this powder on several jar lids. You can also substitute sugar or cornmeal for flour. Then place the lids in the back of the cabinet under your sink, in cupboards and behind the fridge. Keep them away from food, children and pets.
Another formula (Heloise’s Famous Roach Recipe) combines 1/4 cup cooking oil or bacon drippings, 1/8 cup sugar, 8 oz. boric acid, 1/2 cup flour and ample water to form a dough. “Mix all, form small balls of dough and set out in open plastic sandwich bags (to retain moisture longer; when hardened, replace with new dough).”
