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While "neighbor to neighbor" advice is sometimes helpful, the advice of an entomologist (a person who studies bugs) is probably the best. He's not out to get your money, e.g. exterminators, commercial bug killers, etc., and he does understand the nature of the beast, er, roach. Check out this site: http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/housingandclothing/DK1003.html. It references Minnesota, probably because this is sponsored by the University of Minnesota, but cockroaches are the same everywhere. As someone who has lived in bugless in Minnesota, bug crazy in Boston, and now bug nuts in Richmond VA, the information and suggestions here work. It doesn't promise to get rid of all the roaches if you live where there are multiple dwelling units but it does significantly reduce the population.

As for me my landlord has given up on regular extermination and I can't afford it. I keep only unattractive things in my cupboard; caned goods, items in jars, pots and pans, and anything cardboard based in plastic bags or airtight plastic containers. I keep dishes on free standing wire racks away from my cooking area. I vacuum every other day, and wash floors with disinfectant every week. The stove (including under burners and drip pans), countertops and cupboard doors are wiped down daily with bleach based cleaner. My stove is cleaned monthly (top to bottom, back to front,) and my cupboards are emptied every 8 to twelve weeks and washed with disinfectant. I have caulked all cracks, used expandable foam around all pipes. Where craks along cupboards, etc., are too big to be caulked I purchased pliable caulk rope and stuffed it in place until the crack was filled. Drainpipe cleaner is used every three months to assure nothing nourishing is left in drainpipes.

Sound like a lot of work, it is! Then again, I have one of the most roach free units in my building, so much so that I have painted everything white just in case one of those buggers decides to trot across the wall, I can see it and kill it immediately.

Can't wait to move, but in the meantime, I am in control! Yeah!