Roaches?

[sound]

Hey,

I know it's kind of a weird first post, I usually just lurk here for the good information and attitudes, but I had a quick question...

I moved to a new apartment about two months ago, and last week, I came home from surfing an evening session, turned on the light when I walked in the door and saw a roach on its back in the middle of the carpet. It was maybe three feet from the couch, and three feet from the closet where I keep my cat's litter box and about 8 feet from the kitchen. I moved it outside, split it in two and kicked it off the second story walkway.

Since then, I cleaned the hell out of my place and have been leaving the kitchen light and living area light on at night. The idea behind this was that if there were more, it might help them from spreading to other areas.

I haven't seen a roach since. However, near the front door, are a couple of these little flat brown pieces of what I initially thought were dried leaves. They are maybe an inch long, very thin and look like if you flattened a cone into a two dimensional shape. I didn't think much of it, but today I saw more of them today in between the stove and the garbage can. I don't have much experience with roaches ( somehow managed to avoid them at my last 4 apartments) But is this shed roach skin? I looked online a little bit and the pictures I saw of roach skin looked a little different, but what do I know?

I know that was long, but any help would be appreciated. I sprayed the area around and tried to get under the stove with the roach spray, and am just now waiting for it to dry before I let the cat roam around (no door to the kitchen).

If my description of the 'leaves' needs clarification, I take a picture.

Edited to add that I live in LA, because I know there are different roaches in different areas of the globe.

[surfdude]

I bet the roaches came from the wooden part of the house. It can be from the cabinets, flooring, walls or they can even come from the bell trap and/or the building that you're staying at is very old and is infested by roaches.

[Eljot]

Try out some Baygon. I used to live in the tropics and that was what we used.

[AndyBeach]

Don't know if roaches are the same around the world but while out in the Canary Islands we had huge ones. Used to splash neat Fairy liquid around the place, they did not like that. Plus if really bad would get some spray from the local supermarket that would really nuke them. Can't remember what it was called as it was in Spanish

[SurfsmurfG]

That's rough, I really feel for you. I grew up in a very hot country and cockroaches were a usual thing to see when sitting in a bar or just chilling on the balcony. I have not got used to them to this day and they truly terrify me.It messes with your head once you know they are there, because I'm always worried they will come on me and bite me or something..
The only thing I can say is that you are lucky you have a cat as they love playing with things that move, and of course, kill it in the end.My B was always there to give me the thumbs up
And also if you smack them with a shoe and they get squashed, they might die but if they are pregnant this will not affect their eggs (this is what I have been told).
Your best going with some roach-killing spray..
Good luck!