Hi guys,
I rent a one bedroom apartment in a block of 10 apartments. Cockroaches just freak me out, can't feel good at home if I see them here, I even scream every time I see them :(, so please give me some advice.
Background: started to see a couple of cockroaches, I've noticed that mostly they are coming out the water boiler (the one that supplies the hot water in the shower, sink, etc), which is locked in a door next to the kitchen sink. The door is locked with nails because the door is broken, it didn't close properly so the landlord just added them so it wouldn't be wide open before I moved in. Since the boiler door is locked I only spray "Mortein" around the door gap every night, I've added Mortein baits (those black boxes), and recently got boric acid on the kitchen floor. I've added the plain powder but the cockroaches don't seem attracted to it, only one has died from it in a weeks' time. It seems that after I add new baits the cockroaches stop coming out for 2-3 weeks, then I see baby cockroaches and in a couple of days they are big again and coming out. I usually see 2-3 cockroaches per night. The on-off situation has happened already 3 times, they seem to be gone and they are back.
What other options do I have?
Since I think the nest is inside/next the boiler, and the kitchen is small and doesn't have any window, if I open the door where the boiler is contained, can I safely spray Mortein or other spray there?
Can I put some boric acid powder next to the boiler without causing any safety issue? (I mean because of the chemicals contained in the acid next to a heat source)
Am I using the boric acid in a wrong way since I think the cockroaches are not attracted to it? I'm adding some of it on top of a piece of paper (just in case it may damage the vinyl floor -not sure)
P.S. I live in Melbourne, so it's a little warm at the time. Not sure if they came because of the weather or the new neighbour next door. I've googled that it's not safe to use a pest bomb in apartments. Apologies for the lengthy question and not so good grammar.
Thanks!!!
EDIT: Thanks guys for all your comments, I really appreciate your help. I've made a list with all the recipes and products to try. I've used one of the recipes and they are gone for now (hopefully forever), but getting ready with other things in case they are back.
Introduce some British cockroaches and stand back.