Ultimate Guide to Apartment Pest Control 

Pest management is ultimately the responsibility of both the landlord or property owner and residents of an apartment building. Landlords must provide a healthy, safe environment where people can live. However, residents also play a part in maintaining their individual units and living up to the expectations of cleanliness set forth by property managers.  

As an apartment dweller, taking proactive measures like keeping your unit clean can make a big difference in an effective pest management strategy. Knowing what to look out for can help you head off pest problems before they become a nightmare instead of the dream you would want apartment living to be.  

Identifying Common Apartment Pests  

A seven-month study led by Rutgers University – New Brunswick’s professor of entomology, Changlu Wang, found that cockroaches are the most common apartment pests. Other frequently seen critters include rodents, bed bugs, ants, and termites. Catseye Pest Control has decades of experience handling these pests and more. Let’s explore signs to watch for, which can help you get ahead of pest problems before they become widespread infestations.  

Recognizing Signs of Cockroach Infestation 

In Wang’s study that surveyed 258 apartments spread across 40 buildings, 28% of respondents said they had dealt with cockroaches. Pest Control Technology (PCT) echoes that sentiment, citing cockroaches as the number one pest problem found in apartments. The German cockroach, which is tan or light brown with two dark stripes on its back, is the most common offender. Cockroaches can reproduce quickly, and they potentially contaminate surfaces in your home with dangerous germs. 

Identifying cockroaches early is critical for preventing a full-blown infestation. In addition to seeing living or dead cockroaches, some of the signs to watch for include: 

• New or worsening allergy symptoms or asthma attacks 
• Reddish-brown or brown streaks on surfaces that are difficult to clean  
• New musty or oily odors  
• Tiny dry droppings that look similar to coffee grounds 
• Shed exoskeletons and oblong-shaped red or brown egg cases 
• Chewed food, packaging, garbage, or even wallpaper, with droppings or egg cases nearby 

Identifying Rodent Entry Points 

Rodents are sneaky little critters that can slip through openings as tiny as a dime (mice) or a quarter (rats). Because of their ability to take advantage of small entry points, it’s critical to perform a thorough inspection. Roofs, chimneys, attics, exterior siding, garages, and outside debris piles are among common entry areas. Foundations, drainage pipes, vents, and utility lines with gaps or openings around them can also provide a “welcome” sign to rodents in search of shelter. 

Rodents are typically active at night, so you might not see them in action. Instead, it’s vital to watch for signs of a rodent infestation, including: 

• Scrambling or skittering sounds in ceilings and walls 
• Droppings, which are typically dark-colored and look a lot like grains of rice 
• Signs of chewing on walls, floors, siding, windows, and food packaging 
• Torn insulation, fabric, plant materials, and paper used for nesting 
• Stale, musty smells coming out of hard-to-see areas 

Understanding Bedbug Behavior 

Bed bugs have been feeding on the blood of humans since the dawn of humanity when people lived in caves. Their behavior can largely be explained by the bed bug’s cryptid lifestyle. They spend most of their time hiding and nesting in dark cracks and crevices, including mattress seams, behind baseboards, and in headboard joints.  

Bed bugs become active at night, usually feeding between 12 a.m. and 5 a.m. before crawling back to their nests. These blood-drinking pests can crawl quickly and typically spread by catching a ride on luggage, clothing, and other soft items that make it easy for them to go from place to place. 

These insects reproduce quickly and can be challenging to eliminate. Because they wait until you are asleep to feed, you may not see live bugs. However, you can be alerted to a bed bug infestation if you see signs such as: 

• Red stains on mattresses and bedding caused by tiny drops of blood or crushed bugs 
• Excrement, which looks like dark spots, approximately the size of a pen point 
• Shed skins and eggshells near headboards and mattress seams 
• Small, itchy bites on your body that you can’t explain 

Spotting Signs of Ant Colonies 

Ants can be seriously challenging to eliminate, largely because they live in large colonies. Unless you can eliminate them at the source, it’s hard to achieve effective control. If you can find the colony, you have a better chance of controlling the infestation. Depending on the type of ants you have, you may need to look for piles of wood shavings, which could indicate the nest of carpenter ants. Most species look for areas with easy access to moisture to build their colonies. Check areas with wet or moist wood, leaking pipes, pipes covered in condensation, or other moisture-rich spots. 

How will you know to even look for a colony? Signs of an ant infestation include the following: 

• Seeing live ants, particularly a swarm on windowsills or other surfaces, or finding piles of dead ants  
• Spotting ants traveling in distinct patterns or trails 
• Locating hollow sounding wood or signs of crumbling, softening, or structural damage 

Identifying Termite Damage 

More than 500,000 U.S. homes experience termite infestations every year. These wood-destroyers cost upwards of $5 billion in damage annually and often wreak havoc silently until the damage is extensive. The most common termites are subterranean termites, which stay close to the ground. They chew patterns that look like honeycombs in wood and often create tunnels to lead from their nests to wood sources. 

Identifying termite damage is often the first sign of an infestation. Potential damage includes: 

• Buckled wood flooring or blistered wood surfaces 
• Windows and doors that become difficult to open 
• Small holes in wood, hollowed-out studs, and long grooves in wood left behind as termites remove the cellulose 

Prevention and Maintenance Tips 

The single best way to treat pest infestations is preventing them from ever occurring. Even the best measures aren’t 100% effective, but when you take a proactive approach to pest management, you can spot problems and eliminate them before they get out of hand and cause extensive damage to property and health.  

Proper Food Storage Techniques 

Many pests enter apartments in search of food and water. Eliminating easy access to these items can help reduce your risk of an infestation.  

• Keep food (including pet food) in sealed, air-tight, pest-proof containers made of metal, hard plastic, or glass. 
• Wash dishes after use and avoid leaving dirty dishes in the sink. 
• Store leftovers in proper containers. 
• Wipe down counters, clean up spills promptly, and vacuum or sweep floors to eliminate crumbs. 

Sealing Cracks and Gaps in Walls and Floors 

By sealing openings, you close off entryways that pests can use to get into your apartment. This can effectively halt the problem before it begins and reduce the spread of pests from other apartments to yours. 

• Use caulk to close off openings around door and window frames, baseboards, and cabinets.  
• Add steel wool to any voids surrounding pipes. 
• Use wire mesh to cover any holes. 

Regular Cleaning and Decluttering Practices 

Sanitation is one of the most powerful ways you can prevent pest problems. In addition to regularly wiping down your kitchen counters and floors, consider the following:  

• Regularly clear up any piles of clutter, including cardboard boxes, newspapers, mail, and debris that would give pests a spot to hide. 
• Clean under both small and large appliances frequently. 
• Promptly fix or report leaks and moisture problems. 
• Frequently remove trash from your apartment and use a pest-proof receptacle to contain it while it’s inside the unit. 

Using Pest-Repellent Plants Indoors 

Simple houseplants could offer an effective addition to your pest management and prevention strategy. Many plants contain compounds or scents that repel pests, helping to keep your space free of rodents and insects. A few examples include: 

• Herbs like basil, mint, sage, and rosemary 
• Lemongrass and citronella plants 
• Lavender and catnip 
• Marigolds 
• Chrysanthemums 
• Sweet pea 
• Wood hyacinth 
• Alliums 

Eco-Friendly Pest Control Methods  

The fewer chemicals you have to use, the more eco-friendly your pest control methods will be. That’s why Catseye recommends taking preventive measures first and foremost. Additionally, routinely inspecting your apartment to check for any signs of a pest infestation can be tremendously helpful. As soon as you see evidence of activity, contact your maintenance department so the landlord can take action.  

Depending on the pest, insecticides and pesticides may not be effective. For example, cockroaches are developing an increasing resistance to sprays and may not die after contact. Some eco-friendly pest control options to consider include: 

• Using natural pesticides like neem oil, which can alter pest lifecycles and inhibit reproduction 
• Excluding pests by closing off any gaps, cracks, crevices, and holes 
• Using essential oils like peppermint, tea tree, and citronella as natural repellents 
• Installing door sweeps and screening in windows 
• Spraying a vinegar and water mixture where pests, including ants, are often found 
• Placing citrus peels in cabinets and near your apartment entrance 

When to Call in Professionals 

Taking preventive measures, including instituting stringent cleaning protocols, eliminating clutter, and performing regular inspections, are helpful starting points. If you notice signs of a pest problem, contact your maintenance department or contact the professionals at Catseye Pest Control as soon as possible. Experts can get to the root of what’s happening, properly identify the pest, and devise a plan for the most effective treatment.  

Catseye’s technicians have extensive training and are well versed in the unique challenges that apartment dwellers face. Additionally, our approach is one that always focuses on the safest and most eco-friendly yet effective pest management strategy.  

Contact Catseye today to learn more about our apartment pest control services or to schedule a free inspection to get started.  

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