Pest Control is an essential service. Various insects invade homes, apartments, condominiums, businesses, and muti unit dwelling structures. However, many homeowners, property management firms, and tenants do not understand why pest control services may be the most crucial for an apartment building. Why, you ask? Great Question!
Why Is Pest Control Important For Apartments?
To answer your question in a simple answer; Apartments are an uncontrolled environment. In the perfect world, a landlord would have responsible, hygienic, meticulously kept tenants that practiced housekeeping beyond belief; however, that is far from the ideal world. So let's be honest, all the world would be a pretty dull place if we were all the same. You see, apartments do not have the same ease of pest control treatments as a controlled environment like a house. Apartments, condominiums, and multi-unit dwelling structures share many things that tenants are unaware of.
Can My Next Door Neighbor Be Causing My Bug Problem?
Apartments, condominiums, and multi-unit dwelling structures share common walls, pluming access points, trash shoots, exterior walls, and in some cases, attics and crawl spaces or basements. These locations can result in unwanted critters. Let me explain how!
Common Walls and Pest Control.
Shared walls are interior or exterior walls that typically abut up to one another. Most of these walls consist of framing with holes drilled with electrical wires that run through them and lead to outlets. Ahh, that excellent plug we would never attribute to insects, Well guess what? If that neighbor indeed has an infestation, the insects can travel along with the wall voids on the electrical wiring and pop right out through that tiny gap from the switch outlet on the wall. Yes! It is as easy as that.
Pluming Access Points and Pest Control.
Pluming access points are another go-to location for insects to frequent apartment to apartment. Most of the time, Apartments share waste drains that tie into sewers. They also share supply lines that branch off from each apartment along the way.
Sewer locations contain an abundance of cockroaches and rodents. These pests can travel through the waste drains of the renter who went away on vacation and left the air conditioner on, resulting in a dried-out toilet. These pests will readily use that toilet as a highway right into an apartment, leaving other surrounding apartments vulnerable.
Supply lines of an apartment exit walls, cabinetry, flooring, and in some cases flooring and attics. The locations of the supply lines are generally never appropriately sealed. These little gaps will always result in insects traveling quickly from apartment to apartment.
Trash Shoots And Pest Control
This is a no-brainer! Trash shoots are used for what? Disposing trash into a dumpster. Trash contains what? Exactly! Rancidified spoiled food, nesting materials, scraps of perishables and makes for an easy meal and breeding grounds for not only cockroaches, ants, flies, maggots, but also rats and Mice! Apartments with dirty trash receptacles and dumpsters are incredibly prone to high pest infestations.
Crawl spaces, Attics, Basements, and Pest Control
Crawl spaces, attics, and basements also share electrical and plumbing which result in elevated insect activity. No matter how big or small the voids may be, these pests will stop at nothing to enter your apartment or condominium, leaving pest control the only answer for your apartment.
But who is responsible for pest control in an apartment?
Another great question! Pest control and rental agreements can vary from state to state. I have found the best option is to discuss that with your landlord. Pest control agreements are typically located in your lease. Discuss the options with your landlord, sometimes they may include it, other times they may reimburse, or I have seen them require the pest control to be supplied by the renter. For a little more in-depth on this subject, I recommend you read this blog post, "Who's Responsible for Pest Control in a Rented Apartment – Landlord or Tenant?" This is a great read written by Ty Hawkins, also known as Ty the Bug Guy. Did I hear you say your landlord doesn't pay for pest control, and you were going to do it yourself? Before making that decision, I suggest you read what's next!
Do It Yourself vs. Professional Pest Control
Isn't Pest Control easy? Don't I go to the store and purchase a simple product and spray it around my apartment and poof, no bugs? Oh, if it were only so easy. Pest control is very complex and should always be applied by a licensed pest control company. The inappropriate use of a pesticide can result in an aggravated infestation and, in some cases, result in serious injury to yourself, pets, or your loved ones.
Over the counter, pesticides generally contain low concentrations of insecticide to help reduce mishaps and hazards from improper applications that tenants and renters may encounter with the DIY method.
Hiring a professional pest control company is by far a better choice, and believe it or not, less expensive. A professional has a multitude of products, has the knowledge of where to apply those products to target the direct type of insects you are facing. The pest professionals usually offer guarantees, so you can rest assured your pest problems will be eradicated in a quick manner. Plus, the longer you wait trying to kill the pests yourself, the quicker you subject your family to cross-contamination from insects crawling on countertops and an expedited infestation due to subpar over-the-counter products failing to deliver your desired results. For a more in-depth read on "DIY vs. Professional pest control" check out the blog post from Mantis, a well-known pest control company that services the Greater Kansas City Metro area. Suppose you seek pest control in Volusia and Flagler Counties of Florida. Give us a call.