The magic potion that beats all others at getting rid of roaches is boric acid powder. The stuff comes in three- and eight-ounce plastic bottles for 29 cents to $1.50.

Boric acid (in solution with water) is a mild antiseptic used as an eyewash. It's label warns "not for internal use" but roaches can't read. In other words, the stuff's poisonous. The reason it works on roaches is the walk in it and get it stuck to their feet. Roaches clean themselves like cats - with their mouth parts. They ingest the toxic powder and after a while their systems accumulate enough of it to kill them.

You can make it work even better by mixing it half and half with confectioners' sugar. They go out of their way to lick it up off the floor. This method also gets rid of ants, silverfish, or any other insect attracted to sugar. Apply it with an old talcum powder squeeze bottle or with a perforated shaker. Put it under the sink and along the wall inside the cabinets.

Don't use it where pets or toddlers can get into it, or you might have a visit from the police.