Living in an apartment building does present certain problems. Because you are so close to other tenants, there is an increased risk that nuisance insects will migrate from a neighbor to your living space. Since roaches like to live with other roaches and where there is a good supply of food, they tend to stay where they were born. But as populations increase and conditions get crowded (which definitely can happen in most any apartment unit) some will migrate to new locations out away from where they were born. I suspect this what you’re experiencing.

At this time you can try spraying to keep them out but this will be tought to accomplish. There are just too many ways for them them get inside most attached units and keeping a chemical barrier all around is virtually impossible. A better approach is to set out some Roach Gel where you are most likely to see them. This is normally the kitchen and bathroom but if you are seeing them elsewhere, apply some there too. If you are uncertain just how many areas have activity, set out some Roach Traps to monitor the problem. Our Roach Control article explains a lot more in detail what you might expect to happen but the main reason why the gel is so effective in apartment buildings is because it takes advantage of what the foraging roaches want: food. If you get your key areas treated I’m pretty sure you’ll be able to keep their population in check.

Treating cockroaches that are nesting in your stove will require some patience. If you’ve found them “inside” the actual part where you bake food, then it will also take a little time to get the job done right. It would be best to leave this part of the stove alone for at least 2 weeks; a full month left unused would be ideal. This will allow the treatment to take full effect. You can still use the top of the stove, i.e., the burners, without any problem so the stove will be useable. Just don’t bake anything during this time.

The best product to use in this case will be the Cockroach Gel. Place 5-10 dabs inside the oven, some more underneath on the bottom broiler side as well as up under the burner cover. 15-25 placements throughout the stove will really help. Try not to use the burners for at least 2 days so all that are outside the oven will surely find the bait and feed. The oven should be left alone for at least the two weeks previously mentioned to insure all inside get some of the gel. If you notice the gel is all gone in 2-3 days place some more out. When you’re ready to start using the stove again, just give the inside a good cleaning  and let it “burn” for 30 minutes prior to it’s first use to insure any/all contaminates (mostly from the roaches) are burned away and you should be roach free!