Korean Job Discussion Forums

nicam · Joined: 14 Jun 2008

So, I JUST moved into my place a couple of weeks ago (nice looking place, big, with lots of windows and a seperate kitchen) and I have been seeing roaches since day one. The place must be infested for me to be seeing so many and at odd times of the day.

I can't live like this and have tried boric acid, etc, and I am just seeing more and more dailly as time goes by and they breed like crazy. Those bastards SHIT everywhere, and I see the droppings. Ugh, it makes me sick.

I asked for an exterminator and they (my public school) want ME to pay for it. And apparently it's not a one time thing, but $140 the first time, and $60 a month every month for a "membership."

This is NOT fair. I am serious about not being able to live like this, and that's a lot of $ I should not have to pay.

What are my options? I am even willing to split the costs with them, but I just am at the end of my roach line and need guidance. Seriously, please help. I'm ready to bail on my contract at this point.

Rusty Shackleford · Joined: 08 May 2008

Harden the f#ck up. Would the job you had back home pay for an exterminator?

afsjesse · Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Location: Kickin' it in 'Kato town.

I somewhat agree. This is Korea and some thing's you just have to tolerate. If your at the end of your rope, than request a different apartment. You could have a tough stance if you refuse to teach, but they would just fire you probably. If nothing else, request that the school give you the monthly living stipend and find a minbak or something to live in.

Korea Sparklin! Very Happy

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

You don't have to tolerate it.

Roaches are gross. Personally, the first thing I'd try is to talk to all of my neighbors and buy them all roach bombs (the gas kind). Make an agreement to all set them off on the same day.

If that doesn't work, then I'd probably press my school to help me move, or get some money out of them to pay for an exterminator. Maybe go after the building guy, too.

Google how to get rid of roaches. There are many steps you can take to help keep them away.

nicam · Joined: 14 Jun 2008

Well, I got them to pay half, and we found a cheaper service.

But harden up? I am from New York, and am as tough as it gets when it comes to critters, small spaces, and lack of luxury, but there are limits! There are cockroaches, and there are cockroach infestations that are out of control and will only get worse! I tried my best to get rid of them to no avail, and the place requires professional attention.

The more people accept unsanitary living conditions, the more they will become the norm. Is it reasonable to expect anyone to live in an unsanitary condition like that? With that level of infestation? Hell no.

Back home I had the option of choosing a building that exterminated regularly, and if I wasn't provided with the sanitary conditions and safety terms outlined in my lease I could get a rent abatement and release from my lease.

Well, I don't mind paying half so much, so I guess it's all good! Yayee!

Draz · Joined: 27 Jun 2007 Location: Land of Morning Clam

nicam · Joined: 14 Jun 2008

Well, I'm a little leery because apparently they found a service that costs $40. That sounds way too cheap down from $140 and $60 a month.

We'll see Friday, I guess. Hopefully it won't be one of my co-teacher's husbands in a leisure suit.

Supposedly it's totally safe for me and my cat, and I don't have to evacuate for the standard 12-24 hours.

Fingers are crossed!

spliff · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

Shoot them w/ a bb gun. Can be quite entertaining.

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

I had roach extermination done in the USA after I bought an old house that had them.

You need to spray once, then a 2nd time 2 weeks later to kill the babies that hatch later. If you don't, they just keep coming.

nicam · Joined: 14 Jun 2008

Oh, boy.

Well, I know the company does a 6 month follow up, but not a two week one. Maybe my boric acid usage and poison baits in addition to the extermination every 6 months will do the trick.

aphase · Joined: 27 Apr 2006

I have noticed that cockroaches are weak against fire. Just set the areas you think they are inhabiting on fire, and they should be gone pretty quick. Wink

nicam · Joined: 14 Jun 2008

Ha, I like it!

venus envy · Joined: 25 Jul 2007 Location: chicago

Do you mind passing along info on the company you'll be using? I don't have roaches, but I do have ants and these nasty bugs that hop everywhere.

I asked my co-teachers about exterminators in Korea that are reasonably priced and safe around pets, but they had no clue. I was informed that Koreans don't get bugs Confused