What is the BEST way to kill centipedes and roaches?

You got work to do. Seal all holes , cracks and crevices. Make sure all screens are in place on windows and door ways , keep drains covered. Sweep Diatomaceous Earth into corners of cabinets and under large household appliances (stove and fridg) , clean with vinegar and fabuloso. Hope it helps.

I read somewhere that Diatomaceous Earth is bad for the lungs and should only be used outside.

It's great for detering bugs and not harmful for pets or humans.

Diatomaceous Earth (often referred to as "DE") is an off white talc-like powder that is the fossilized remains of marine phytoplankton. When sprinkled on a bug that has an exoskeleton (such as bed bugs, ants or fleas) it compromises their waxy coating so that their innards turn into teeny tiny bug jerky. But it doesn't hurt mammals. We can eat it. We do eat it! It's in lots of grain based foods because lots of grains are stored with diatomaceous earth to keep the bugs from eating the grain!
two explanations of how diatomaceous earth works.

One is that on a microscopic level, the diatomaceous earth particles are very sharp looking. These particles stick to an insect and get stuck between its exoskeleton joints. As the insect moves, it gets physically cut up.

The other explanation is that diatomaceous earth sticks to the insect and somehow causes them to dry out. I think this approach involves scratching the insects waxy layer which then allows precious moisture within the insect to get out. So their teeny tiny bug-innards turn into teeny tiny bug-innards-jerky.

Both are true and connected. DE is almost pure silica (with some beneficial trace minerals); under a microscope, it looks like shards of glass (glass is made from silica). On any beetle-type insect that has a carapace, like fleas and cockroaches, the DE works under the shell and punctures the body, which then dehydrates and the insect dies.
DE is totally nontoxic. There is no buildup of tolerance like there is to poisons because the method of killing is PHYSICAL, not chemical.

The important thing to us is that if an insect with an exoskeleton gets diatomaceous earth on them, they die. At the same time, we can rub it all over our skin, rub it in our hair, eat it .... whatever ... and we are unharmed.

Diatomaceous earth kills all bugs. It has been reported to be the most effective solution when fighting pests like fleas, ants and bed bugs.

Farmers dump food grade diatomaceous earth by big scoops in with grains when the grains are stored. It kills the insects that want to feast on the grain. This is a great improvement over the stuff they used to put in with the grain.

Farmers feed gobs of diatomaceous earth (food grade) to animals in the hopes that it will cure whatever ails them. Many farmers swear that the stuff kills all sorts of worms in their critters.

Source: http://www.richsoil.com/diatomaceous-earth.jsp
Note: DE has to be used dry. It doesn't work wet.
It's a very fine white powder similar to cornstarch in texture.

We sure do seem to be putting a whole lot of harmful pesticides into our environment to keep bugs at bay. Guess we may all need to remember that everything we use on our lawns and plants ends up in our waters from run-off during rains. Seems like some diatomaceous earth may be a good alternative to use.

Yes, y'all are correct. Wherever I read that (can't remember to cite the website) it said it was harmful to lungs. But looks like its organic and not harmful.

The house is now surrounded by a barrier of boric acid. We'll see if I can sleep tonight. I cleaned up the dead cockroaches, but I still can't bring myself to wash off the centipede, half of which is still stuck to the wall with the other half under the bed.

IT

I never use glue traps. They are horrible.
If you must use a traps for rats, best to use the old fashioned wood/metal hinged/snap trap. Very effective and terminal. The cost is minimal and reasonable.

I use the bait-n-box trap that is non-lethal. Costs just a couple bucks at Home Depot and can be reused. When I catch a mouse, I take the trap down the road to a big field and set the mouse free. I figure I'd rather let an animal do the killing so they can feed the local wildlife. =P

For centipedes, I like simple Raid spray. Does the job in a few seconds and I don't have to get close to them!

I had a centi crawl up my shower drain a few months back. I gave it a few sprays of 409 with bleach and it died pretty quickly.

they come straight through the cracks of hell to give you nightmares and make you look in sneakers and under pillows every time.

Anyone ever hang their shoes on a door-hanging shoe rack and still find a centipede in a shoe? =|

I came across this while researching diatomaceous earth.

http://www.gotantsgetserious.org/faqs/does-diatomaceous-earth-work-to-control-ants/

I don't yet live in the USVI but I've lived in the tropics and sub-tropics for over 40 years.

The simple answer to the question is you should hire a professional, reputable exterminator.

My experience is all the chemicals and insecticides you buy at the local grocery, hardware or home improvement stores are at best very termporary. Yes, you can kill some ants with that white powder stuff and most of the sprays will kill the bugs you can see spray but the only way to effectively kill those you can't see (and their colonies) is with professional chemicals you can't legally buy yourself. It's much, much stronger.

As for rodents, there is nothing better than either an old-fashioned trap baited with peanut butter (no cheese please) or, better yet, a good glue trap.

So, find someone who really likes their exterminator and give them a try. And go to the hardware store and get some traps.

The problem with glue traps is that other things get stuck and the glue is impossible to get off. Plus I don't really like the idea of a slow, painful death by starvation or multiation if they try to chew a body part off, for any critter even the invasive rodent ones.
The bait n box trap which malibutexan07 mentions is a good alternative.
The old fashioned snap trap, at least, kills them quickly.

The problem with glue traps is that other things get stuck and the glue is impossible to get off. Plus I don't really like the idea of a slow, painful death by starvation or multiation if they try to chew a body part off, for any critter even the invasive rodent ones.
The bait n box trap which malibutexan07 mentions is a good alternative.
The old fashioned snap trap, at least, kills them quickly.

To the posters recommending exterminators, that isn't an option because it isn't my home.

I agree the sticky traps are horrific. Anyone who has had to peel half a rat off the floor because they chewed themselves free will never ever ever use one again. Disgusting and inhumane. I don't understand how places like Terminex are allowed to use them.

I confess, though, I love the zappy traps. Kills them instantly and painlessly and you don't have to touch them to destroy them. No poison, just batteries and peanut butter. Well worth the investment. I don't like the old school snap traps because sometimes it only catches a portion of the animal and they die slowly or not at all.

What I need is a good ratter dog. Who also likes to kill centipedes.

IT

Your landlord will not allow an exterminator to spray?

Your landlord will not allow an exterminator to spray?

It's a temp residence where I'm staying for free at the moment, so I don't want to ask too many favors -- especially ones that cost money. Also, they have kids and pets and are worried about poison and security.

I've been here long enough, and with the advice of some of the people on this board, I managed a way to figure it out. Bleach down the drains, zappy traps, boric acid. Since the one night from hades, I haven't had anymore problems with creepie crawlies.

IT

Iff staying for free, you could offer to pay for exterminator for them, unless you are dead broke. As mentioned, they do not use stuff harmful to kids and pets or at least mine doesn't as I was sure to ask, in advance.

Speaking of critters - Now the termites are swarming!
Close all windows and doors. They often do this when it rains heavily.

Anybody know where I can get diatomaceous earth? Is it available locally?

Pool works on STX should have it

Should be able to get it from garden centers where plants are sold.
Don't think Home Depot carries it but not 100% sure.
Can't remember where I got mine here in STT.

I bought food-grade DE from a company whose website is www.safeDE.com.
I actually bought it off ebay, and I was able to get this company to ship via post office to stx. Most other companies I found would not ship to the VI.
We bought the DE for someone on island, who was having centipede problems, even with Terminex coming monthly to spray. They have a small dog, so I wanted to be sure the powder would be safe for him. The plan was to put the DE around the outside perimeter of the cottage, to prevent the centipedes from crawling into the house. Seemed to work.

Jsc173 I agree with your comment. The answer to the question is to hire a professional reputable exterminator. Though many people try to solve pest problems themselves in an effort too save money , what you do is end out spending more time , gas and money on experimenting with chemicals , insecticides and natural ways that are all temporary . I have tried it all in the past ... much of it which works for a time then the critters seem to build their immune to chemicals at hand and come back with vengeance !!
So after much trial and error I have found a great exterminator . I used All Gone Termite and Pest Control . I would say he is the best on the island . Friendly , Trustworthy , reliable and on time . Our family saved a lot money by hiring him and best part no bugs , no rodents .. their ALL Gone !!!!!

Iff staying for free, you could offer to pay for exterminator for them, unless you are dead broke. As mentioned, they do not use stuff harmful to kids and pets or at least mine doesn't as I was sure to ask, in advance.

Well, I am sorta dead broke (thanks for reminding me!), but it's a bigger deal than that. It is hard to find reputable pest control people here. I have zero faith in Terminex and another company I won't name actually ended up scoping the place for his friends to break into when we were gone. That was fun.

There's a gate on the property that would create problems. The house couldn't be accessed unless we were home and we all work all day and there's no way the code would be given out to an exterminator for independent access.

It's just not worth worrying about until I land somewhere more permanent. I'm trying to be a helpful, grateful, and quiet houseguest and not make too many demands on my landlords who are being quite generous in letting me stay here.

IT

My exterminator always comes when I am at home as I normally will put the dogs in their kennel for the duration. You could always have them come just once and spray the crap out of everything, to at least kill what's there presently to get a head start on handling the overall situation. However, you have to do what is best in your situation. I have always had great service from Terminix and no problems.

Good luck to you and your nice landlords with the roach and centipede infestation.
Hope you get a happy resolution without getting freaked out or having to smear any
more centipede body parts on walls. Yuck!

Good luck to you and your nice landlords with the roach and centipede infestation.
Hope you get a happy resolution without getting freaked out or having to smear any
more centipede body parts on walls. Yuck!

Landlords' yard guys just fished and the property is filled with the glorious site of egrets eating centipedes. Yay for natural pest control!

IT

Maybe you should bring a few of dem egrets inside?
Too bad those crappo toads (cane toads) don't eat them.
I could send you a bushel or two of them.

I recall seeing a TV show where they did eat the centipedes.
I actually keep a habitat for them. It keeps them from getting
into my potted plants.