Korean Job Discussion Forums

[emmajuno]

I saw a cockroach in my new place last night. I had a cockroach problem in the last place and my boss had the maintenance man spray my room spray my room for me. I told my boss about it and she said that there are no maintenance men here as it's just a 'one room' building so it's my responsibility to take care of it. Is it my responsibility?

[thegadfly]

A box of boric acid, 800 won from a pharmacy, spread into the corners, under the fridge, and along baseboards (especially in the kitchen). Leave it a few days, then sweep up. Repeat if necessary.

It is safe enough for humans that it is used to wash out the eyes in a solution with water -- much safer than the crap that would be sprayed around your apartment. I have never had to apply it more than twice, even in Texas with 3-inch long woodroaches in the walls. Problem solved, safely and cheaply....

[emmajuno]

Thanks. Any idea what boric acid is in Korean? I've sprayed my place to hell with some cockroach spray left from the last place but I think it would be good to have a second measure in place.

[thegadfly]

If you write "boric acid" on a piece of paper and hand it to the person in the pharmacy, they will get you a box of it -- 붕산 I think in Korean, but the pharmacist will most likely recognize the English...at least, every time I have ever done it in Korea, the pharmacist has. (I get proactive when I get into a new place -- put it down for a week whether I have seen a roach or not -- I HATE frikkin' roaches!)

[koreatimes]

Depends on how many. Don't sleep on the floor whatever you do.

Every time I saw a cockroach I would make sure I spent 5 minutes complaining about it to the boss. I would do this at the most inconvenient time, stand right in the doorway of the owner's office, and just say something like, "Oh I got to teach soon, can you get this cockroach problem fixed?"

After three attempts, start mentioning it with parents around. Find out the good parents who can understand you. Everytime you bring stuff up like this, owners just bolt to the office and talk to you. They don't want parents to hear about it. They might be mad, but tell them "If I can't sleep at night because there are cockroaches, then I can't teach. You decide, you want me to teach here, you solve the cockroach problem. If you don't, you will have to deal with the same problem with another teacher."

It's in their best interest to resolve the matter.

[PatrickGHBusan]

[emmajuno]

I couldn't sleep because of it last night. They are disgusting.

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll test out the boric acid tomorrow. Maybe buy a couple of traps as well, just in case.

[Hootsmon]

I had quite a few bugs when I moved into my place (more centipedes than cockroaches, but a bit of everything). I bought some Raid from the supermarket (about 5000 won) and sprayed it along all the walls at both the ceiling and floor, especially in the corners, inside every room in the whole house. Also did the windows, the drains, the sinks, etc. etc. Used up a whole can in one go but so far, it's been worth it. Only seen two cockroaches and two centipedes since, and all were already dead, upside down with their feet up in the air.

Gotta be proactive with the bugs. I'm going to put down another round of Raid soon whether its necessary or not. I've never tried the acid mentioned but I've heard lots of people recommend it.

Oh yeah, and it should go without saying but keeping your apartment clean, bleaching the drains, and so on will undoubtedly help. Make your apartment less attractive to visit for the bugs and they'll go somewhere else...hopefully!

[Swampfox10mm]

Do you live in a villa? Are there other occupants in the building. The problem with roaches is they will just hang out elsewhere and you won't get them all. My suggestion is that, assuming you live in a dwelling with a few other families, do what I did. Go out and purchase a tube of that roach killer gel (several cheap 2,000 won Korean brands that work -- don't do this if you have kids, though) for every apartment in the building. Give it to them as a gift. If I were you, I would also give them each a can or two of that bug bomb spray that you let go off when you are not at home. If you have a roach problem, other people in the building will too, and buying it for them and giving it as a gift is a very kind hint that you would like them to participate in killing them off. Worked for me before.

Oh, and also read up on keeping your place clean, wiping countertops daily, and making sure there is no food out, or paper/boxes around (they love that). Wiping your floor and counters is important, because they follow trails. Wiping that away confuses them, and makes your place seem a little less friendly.

[koreatimes]

[mellow-d]

I had the same problem in my apartment. It was the first time I'd ever dealth with cockroaches (I wasn't even sure what they were until I confirmed it on the internet). The boric acid REALLY works. I got that tip probably from the same poster on this board. It will take a few weeks to kill out the nest but it should work! Good luck.

[matthews_world]

Let me guess, you live above a restaurant or some sort of food establishment? This is one of my rules of life in Korea and I'm somewhat superstitious and never live on the first floor or basement - water damage, etc.

[PastorYoon]

Every apartment I've had in Korea, there have been insects. The thing is, I have not waited for Koreans to help me with the issue, because I know they will not. At the very least, they would all talk about it openly and discuss my issue and tire themselves of mocking me before actually doing something about it. At my first school, I learned real quick that they don't care, and they were seemingly satisfied - knowing that I had a problem and was frustrated.

Long story short, I bought a case of 'silicon sealant' (실리콘 밀봉제). The stuff is clear, so it doesn't create an eyesore after applying it to the walls. I would suggest to put it in the following spots:

* wall cracks
* floor crevices, holes, or anywhere that you think an insect could fit through
* behind your sink - line your entire sink area (which connects the counter-top to the wall) with it
* under the sink, in the cabinets

I have noticed that the drains are also often not sealed completely. Seal everything. In the entryway, ceilings, line the walls, floorboards, everything. Bathroom. It will take probably 3 hours, but it will be worth it.

Experience: In my most recent apartment, there were cockroaches when my wife and I first moved in. We spent the entire first night cleaning. We knew better than to even unpack before everything had been completely cleaned, dried, and then sealed. It was annoying as hell, but I have not seen one cockroach in 9 months. I know they're in the walls, but that's not my problem. We're out of here in a few months. I can eat my food without being absolutely disgusted, and that's good enough for me. One last thing, keep your drain closed, too. They could be coming through the drains. Just a thought. Good luck!

PS - http://lmgtfy.com/?q=silicon+sealant

[koreatimes]

[PastorYoon]

Good for you.