Empty garbage each evening into a sturdy container with a tightly fitted lid. Chemical Control - Dusts such as boric acid, silica aerogel, and diatomaceous earth can be applied to voids and harborages like cracks and crevices, which remain dry. Dusts penetrate these places to reach many concealed cockroaches, and they are persistent. Do not apply dusts to wet or damp areas. Do not place dusts where children or pets could come into contact with them, and take care to keep children away from areas treated with boric acid.
Boric acid is of low toxicity to adults, but it does pose a hazard to children.
Take precautions to assure that the dusts do not contaminate food. Dusts should be applied lightly because heavy deposits may repel cockroaches. Boric acid is now available in hand dusters in which a plunger discharges an air blast, emitting a dust cloud through a small flared nozzle or tip. Residual insecticide sprays for home use may be bought at supermarkets, farm stores and garden centers. Applied to infested areas they will remain effective on dry, non-porous surfaces for several weeks.