On October 31st Darrin Fuller, in response to getting rid of cockroaches, wrote in part "Now for my favorite, blow them to smithereens. Mix together 2 cups (500g) of cold mashed potato and 1 tablespoon of baking powder and then form into balls the size of marbles. Place 2 to 3 balls where cockroaches gather, leaving a few balls around for future generations. Keep renewing until left untouched. This bait reacts with the insects' body health and blows them apart." Has anyone tried this? Does it work? It sounds kinda crazy, but you never know? Having grown up in very rural Wisconsin I didn't have my first experience with cockroaches until I moved to Savannah Ga. It was the second night in the new place when the cat caught the first one and brought it to me in the bed. The next day I asked the receptionist at work what to do for cockroaches. Her advice was empty all the cupboards and cabinets and clean everything with bleach and water until it was totally spotless. Then clean the counters and every crevasse I could find with the same bleach solution. I asked and that will get rid of the cockroaches? She said of course not but you will have the cleanest cockroaches on the block. (she had a nice little laugh at the new Yankee's expense) She did give some good advice after that though. She told me to use plastic airtight containers for and food items and keep the crumbs cleaned up as much as possible. That is what I have been doing for years and I don't kid myself into believing that I don't have any cockroaches but, with food sources not readily available the number is not that high. I usually only see a few each year. The potato balls do sound interesting though. I always like to be a good host. Ken Nyren Ken Nyren, 2/11/2004 [Posted in FML issue 4685]