Should I Stay or Should I Go?

[MEHEARTJC]

I thought I would share my personal dilemma and get some perspective here.

For over a week now, I have been battling a major roach infestation in my apartment. I am a fairly clean person so I don't believe they came from me. It's certainly not to the extent of something you would see on Hoarders, but I would see multiple roaches scurry across my kitchen counters, on the walls, even in my stove. I've been keeping my kitchen spotless and dry. My place was bombed, and sprayed twice. I'm still seeing them now in other places like my closet and bathroom.

This worries me because while I am clean, I do have a lot of clutter mainly due to my large media collection of comic books, movies, cds and video games. I have several cardboard boxes in my closet and I learned that the boxes can be a breeding ground for roaches. They also love glue which puts my expensive books at risk. They love to crawl inside electronics so now they could possibly ruin my new computer, PS3 and Xbox. I need to get all boxes out asap and take away their hiding spots.

The flip side of my dilemma is this weekend is my dad's 80th birthday. My sister is planning a huge surprise party in his hometown. The entire extended family is going to come, something that hasn't happened in like 20 years. I told my sister that I would go ,but it would require me to be away from my apartment from this evening until Sunday afternoon. In my worst fears, the roaches will have multiplied and taken over this weekend and ruined all my possessions which includes 700 blu rays.

So it boils down to this, go to the party to please my family and risk losing my personal items, or stay home and come off looking bad and selfish to my family and girlfriend.

What would you do in this case?

[Blu-Dog]

Originally Posted by MEHEARTJC

I thought I would share my personal dilemma and get some perspective here.

For over a week now, I have been battling a major roach infestation in my apartment. I am a fairly clean person so I don't believe they came from me. It's certainly not to the extent of something you would see on Hoarders, but I would see multiple roaches scurry across my kitchen counters, on the walls, even in my stove. I've been keeping my kitchen spotless and dry. My place was bombed, and sprayed twice. I'm still seeing them now in other places like my closet and bathroom.

This worries me because while I am clean, I do have a lot of clutter mainly due to my large media collection of comic books, movies, cds and video games. I have several cardboard boxes in my closet and I learned that the boxes can be a breeding ground for roaches. They also love glue which puts my expensive books at risk. They love to crawl inside electronics so now they could possibly ruin my new computer, PS3 and Xbox. I need to get all boxes out asap and take away their hiding spots.

The flip side of my dilemma is this weekend is my dad's 80th birthday. My sister is planning a huge surprise party in his hometown. The entire extended family is going to come, something that hasn't happened in like 20 years. I told my sister that I would go ,but it would require me to be away from my apartment from this evening until Sunday afternoon. In my worst fears, the roaches will have multiplied and taken over this weekend and ruined all my possessions which includes 700 blu rays.

So it boils down to this, go to the party to please my family and risk losing my personal items, or stay home and come off looking bad and selfish to my family and girlfriend.

What would you do in this case?

Plan on moving. You're being exposed to some serious pathogens from this infestation.

Set up roach traps - as many as you can afford - and go to the event. Upon your return, leave this place. The infestation isn't being touched by normal means, and your health isn't worth the risk of staying there.

Seal up the stuff they attack in plastic bags securely. Close them TIGHT. They'll be OK for a couple of days.

Get OUT of there. And make sure these monsters don't come with you when you go.

[xander]

Originally Posted by Blu-Dog

Plan on moving. You're being exposed to some serious pathogens from this infestation.

Set up roach traps - as many as you can afford - and go to the event. Upon your return, leave this place. The infestation isn't being touched by normal means, and your health isn't worth the risk of staying there.

Seal up the stuff they attack in plastic bags securely. Close them TIGHT. They'll be OK for a couple of days.

Get OUT of there. And make sure these monsters don't come with you when you go.

Great advice and I agree. Emphasis on his last sentence. If you are moving boxes and are uncertain where they are breeding, you run the risk of bringing the buggers along. Sorry, that is just horrible. If you are renting your apartment, your landlord/office mgt. should be responsible for clearing this up. (assuming what you say is true and you keep a clean organized place.)

[MEHEARTJC]

Originally Posted by xander

Great advice and I agree. Emphasis on his last sentence. If you are moving boxes and are uncertain where they are breeding, you run the risk of bringing the buggers along. Sorry, that is just horrible. If you are renting your apartment, your landlord/office mgt. should be responsible for clearing this up. (assuming what you say is true and you keep a clean organized place.)

Yeah that's my worst fear that these buggers will move along with me. It is just a nightmare when you see one climb inside a microwave or electrical outlet.

I rented a storage building on Monday, and hand wiped each blu ray case with rubbing alcohol and put them in sealed plastic totes. The downside is this process is so time consuming and I've only moved two totes so far. Time isn't on my side here. I just pray that they cant squeeze inside a closed blu ray case. I saw a couple of dead ones inside the clear shipping tape that I used to tape up my cardboard boxes. That means they could squeeze under a paper thin space!

[bhampton]

Originally Posted by MEHEARTJC

I thought I would share my personal dilemma and get some perspective here.

For over a week now, I have been battling a major roach infestation in my apartment.

I got this far and my answer is you should go...

[bhampton]

Golly you reminded me of a time way back where one of my co-workers looked like Shaggy from Scooby-Doo. He left a small radio cassette thing at work one day and the rest of use noticed it was full of roaches... We kept shaking it and they kept falling out like a clown car... you cant imagine there would have been room for half of those bugs in that thing... so amazingly gross.

I will never forget that... esp since you just reminded me ... golly.

[sk33tr]

i gotta go with the consensus here and say you need to move out ASAFP.

it doesn't matter how clean you are if the people close to you aren't.

as well, you might want to start buying some plastic storage boxes and keep your stuff in those instead of cardboard boxes. not only do they make it easier to stack things, they don't tear if they get wet and roaches can't eat the glue if there's none to eat.

i realize it's pretty close to impossible to get rid of roaches completely, but you can combat the situation a bit more.

but i would start looking for a new place to live immediately.

and if at all possible, you should go to your dad's birthday party. he's your dad.....'nuff said.

[MEHEARTJC]

Originally Posted by sk33tr

i gotta go with the consensus here and say you need to move out ASAFP.

it doesn't matter how clean you are if the people close to you aren't.

as well, you might want to start buying some plastic storage boxes and keep your stuff in those instead of cardboard boxes. not only do they make it easier to stack things, they don't tear if they get wet and roaches can't eat the glue if there's none to eat.

i realize it's pretty close to impossible to get rid of roaches completely, but you can combat the situation a bit more.

but i would start looking for a new place to live immediately.

and if at all possible, you should go to your dad's birthday party. he's your dad.....'nuff said.

Bad thing is I am stuck in the lease for 3 more months, or I have to pay a $1500 to break it. But there's no way I can tolerate 3 months of roach hell. I'll go insane. Am I going overboard by wiping down every single blu ray? I don't see anything that would attract them except maybe the paper insert inside.

[xander]

Originally Posted by MEHEARTJC

Bad thing is I am stuck in the lease for 3 more months, or I have to pay a $1500 to break it. But there's no way I can tolerate 3 months of roach hell. I'll go insane. Am I going overboard by wiping down every single blu ray? I don't see anything that would attract them except maybe the paper insert inside.

I'd be shocked if your lease doesn't have a clause that exempts you from any early penalties given the situation. It's your landlord's responsibility to provide livable conditions in the space you lease. If you don't have a copy, request one from the building manager. Also, if you are working with them on the issue, make sure any follow up is in print (email, formal typed letter to your landlord) detailing conditions, etc., and keep copies for your records. There's no way you are on the hook if they can't combat the bug problem.

I'd worry more about your health than your blu's. You need to get out of there.

[Blu2u]

I'll have to take a different spin here. I live in Houston where roaches are pretty much a way of life. Bombing does nothing to get rid of roaches. Spraying on the other hand, should work. Are you sure they didn't just use Boric acid? Boric acid is again, pretty much useless. They always start that way and then usually spray later. Unless you are talking Creepshow level roaches here, you are not going to die or get sick. That being said, the other posters are right in that you should just get out if you are uncomfortable.

[MEHEARTJC]

Originally Posted by xander

I'd be shocked if your lease doesn't have a clause that exempts you from any early penalties given the situation. It's your landlord's responsibility to provide livable conditions in the space you lease. If you don't have a copy, request one from the building manager. Also, if you are working with them on the issue, make sure any follow up is in print (email, formal typed letter to your landlord) detailing conditions, etc., and keep copies for your records. There's no way you are on the hook if they can't combat the bug problem.

I'd worry more about your health than your blu's. You need to get out of there.

I would probably have to get a health inspector to back me up on that one. I'm in Arkansas and the laws give the landlord all the power. The landlord has been taking action by doing weekly spraying and bombing my apartment over the weekend, but the maintenance guy did say that I need to get all this cardboard out of there. So it's on me right now.

[Johnny Vinyl]

The Clash - Should I Stay or Should I Go - YouTube

[xander]

Originally Posted by MEHEARTJC

I would probably have to get a health inspector to back me up on that one. I'm in Arkansas and the laws give the landlord all the power. The landlord has been taking action by doing weekly spraying and bombing my apartment over the weekend, but the maintenance guy did say that I need to get all this cardboard out of there. So it's on me right now.

Brutal. I too lived in Texas for a couple years and had the occasional roach issue but nothing that didn't go away with a proper spraying. The level you're describing given they are actively treating is something else. I feel bad for you, hope you get something figured out soon.

[MEHEARTJC]

Originally Posted by xander

Brutal. I too lived in Texas for a couple years and had the occasional roach issue but nothing that didn't go away with a proper spraying. The level you're describing given they are actively treating is something else. I feel bad for you, hope you get something figured out soon.

Thanks man. I can at least say that I'm seeing less of them. I only saw four last night. Last week I was seeing and killing like 20 a night. I'm trying to remain optimistic. After I get most of my stuff in storage, my plan is to put this roach bait gel everywhere. A lot of people have said this stuff has ended their roach problem. Eating is difficult. I now have to wash my silverware before I eat, use disposable cups, plates and keep them in the fridge.

[MEHEARTJC]

Originally Posted by Blu2u

I'll have to take a different spin here. I live in Houston where roaches are pretty much a way of life. Bombing does nothing to get rid of roaches. Spraying on the other hand, should work. Are you sure they didn't just use Boric acid? Boric acid is again, pretty much useless. They always start that way and then usually spray later. Unless you are talking Creepshow level roaches here, you are not going to die or get sick. That being said, the other posters are right in that you should just get out if you are uncomfortable.

Yeah the maintenance guy did say the pest guy was spraying boric acid. I thought this stuff was really effective against roaches? The first spray actually made the problem worse as I started seeing them in new places. The maintenance guy said he must have just stirred them up.

I don't think they are a threat to my health right now. I'm very careful with my food and keeping everything sealed, but the paranoid of just not knowing what I'll see when I flick on the light is so depressing.

[Blu2u]

Boric acid is actually just a powder. It's basically non-toxic. Does pretty much nothing for a serious infestation. We are on our third treatment with it and no change. A proper spraying of "the good stuff" should get rid of them for good. My parent's house was sprayed once and a barrier set up about 4 years ago and not a roach since.

[EPlay]

I would go to your Dad's birthday party. You don't want to regret not going years later -- time with him is precious.

I'm kind of surprised at the reaction to roaches. I've always lived in apartments and they are just a part of life. They travel through crevices and pipes and can go from one apartment to another at will so the best you can do is give them less enticement to go to yours. Besides food, they like water, so maybe stopper your drains and wipe your sinks dry. *edit* (I see you are keeping things dry.)* They are annoying and I squish some everyday but they will outlive us all.

[BoydR12]

Originally Posted by MEHEARTJC

Yeah the maintenance guy did say the pest guy was spraying boric acid. I thought this stuff was really effective against roaches? The first spray actually made the problem worse as I started seeing them in new places. The maintenance guy said he must have just stirred them up.

I don't think they are a threat to my health right now. I'm very careful with my food and keeping everything sealed, but the paranoid of just not knowing what I'll see when I flick on the light is so depressing.

I feel for you man. I couldn't deal, I've got the heebie Jeebies right now thinking about it. I would never fall asleep at night shuddering at each touch of the skin wondering if there's a roach in my bed. Haha sorry I might have just made things a little worse

[Horsebot3K]

Oh man, I sincerely feel for you. I'm deathly afraid of those disgusting little bastards. I'm living at home right now, and they're pretty bad here in the summer, but I'm hoping to move out again soon (not because of that, just because I like my space). The apartment I used to live in was extremely clean. I don't think I saw two roaches in the two years I lived there. The only one I can ever recall seeing wasn't even in my room. It was in the common area (nowhere near the kitchen part) and it was dead. There were occasional gnat problems, but I loved not having to worry about roaches. You should get the **** out of that apartment if you haven't already and take precautions to make sure they don't follow you.

[thrillmygorilla]

IN THE STOVE!?!?! Get out. Get out now!