posted November 24, 2007 03:52 AM         

The Wasp and The house centipede...
Are the most effective control agent of cockroaches, though most homeowners find both these quite objectionable.

There are however, two other known natural predators of the cockroach...

Bull Frogs and Chickens, if you are brave enough to set these loose around your property the problem should resolve itself.

For indoors elimination of the already accumulated pests use borac acid. It is a powder that can be purchased at any hardware store, walmart, or the like.
It's really cheap too...

Use this powder by lining the crevices along the bottom of every wall in your home. Use an extra helping behind the refrigerator, stove, microwave, toaster, telephones, computers, VCR's, TV's, and the like.

They crawl through this powder and take it back to their nests where it wipes them all out.

Then if eggs have already been discovered about, (most likely the case) it's imperative that you wash out the insides of your cupboards, under your sink areas, and likely the walls behind major appliances with a combination of hot water and vinigar followed by Hot water and dawn dish detergent.

The vinigar loosens the eggs, and the detergent washes these away, leaving a scent that roaches do not care for.

Finally to keep the critters from returning in the future be sure to fill any cracks or crevices inside your home giving access to them. Silicone caulking around under sink pipes and wall cracks...
Remove excess paper from in and around your home. Keep bagged cat or dog food in an enclosed container with a snug lid, remove potatoes, onions, garlic, and spices from easily accessable areas: put these in very sealed areas (ei; refrigerator, glass canning jars with lids, etc.)

I hope this helps...

Good luck to you on your adventures!

*Edited to add: Oh, I just found this...
For those who are curious:
Of the 3,500+ species There are only five basic types of cockroaches that enter our homes. Cockroach identification and further control are listed here.

American Cockroach
Smokeybrown Cockroach
Oriental Cockroach
Brown banded Cockroach
German Cockroach