Step By Step Approach To Apartment Pest Control

Most pest problems can be resolved with some attention and cooperation with landlord. It is the occupant’s responsibility to have insects, rodents, other pests exterminated. If you live in a single-family home, it is your responsibility for extermination service. If you live in an apartment building and your apartment is the only one infested, you could be made responsible for the cost of extermination. Your first step for a major pest infestation is to call your landlord or property manager. They likely have a pest control specialist that he or she uses. You hire a pest control professional to keep your home pest-free. Before you hire, ask for recommendations from family and friends, and if the estimate seems high, get several bids before making a decision on whom to hire.

Integrated Pest Management program

Integrated pest management (IPM) is an integrated approach and historically, the main focus of IPM programs was on agricultural insect pests and now developed to encompass pests that interfere with the management objectives of sites such as residential and commercial structures. IPM is a step by step approach to pest control. Instead of simply spraying insecticide or throwing down bait, a thorough examination is done first to determine the best course of action and only then is any type of treatment considered.

Integrated Pest Management in India can be defined as – “a sustainable approach of management of pest by the combination of biological, cultural, mechanical and chemical tools in a way that minimizes economic, health and Environmental Risks”. The Integrated Pest Management Program (IPM) is now a worldwide program which lays emphasis on the application of Bio-pesticides, and Bio-agents with rarest and unavoidable application of safe chemical pesticides.

Step by Step approach for Pest Control

In an apartment community, one resident’s pest problem might possibly spread into other nearby units. Keeping your apartment clean is not solution for pest problem in your home or apartment.  You should make sure you don’t inadvertently invite them into your home.  Protect your apartment from common apartment pests with these step by step prevention and elimination method.

• Inspect the environment: Troublesome bug-related issues like bed-bug infestations or roach problems can easily get out of hand if a tenant lets a pest problem go unaddressed. And the best way to stay bug-free is by taking preventive measures and being persistent about maintaining your pest control habits. Try to determine where the pests are coming in, and why they are coming in.

• Monitor areas: Put out glue boards or snap traps to trap rodents and insects. Monitor to find out how bad the problem is and where it is. Keep a written record of the results. If you have unusual pest problems call pest control professional or inform your property manager as they likely have a pest control specialist for the apartment complex.

• Seal off cracks and gaps: Use weather stripping and caulk to seal off any gaps where pests can enter your apartment. Inspect these seals every few weeks to ensure that your place stays bug-free throughout the year. Don’t give bugs an attractive place to hide. Clean your apartment thoroughly and often.

• Sanitation: Good sanitation limits the resources pests need to survive and reproduce. Thorough cleaning of food preparation areas, including hard-to-reach areas and dumpster lids should be kept shut. Indoor trash cans should be emptied and washed out often. Counter tops and floors should be properly cleaned daily. All moisture conditions such as leaky pipes or poor drainage should be addressed.

• Treat problem areas: You can take care of pest problem yourself with safe pest control products. The first step is to identify the pest, which will lead you to the correct pest control product. Avoid sprays or bombs or foggers that permeate everything in your apartment with poison, including places you eat. Consider buying non-toxic organic pest control products and all label precautions should be followed.

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Pests in Common Areas

If you spot a pest in common area of your apartment complex, bring it to notice of your property manager or managing committee of apartment owners association. You cannot set glue traps or spraying pesticide in common area and as common areas are spaces that you share with other apartment owners or residents of apartment, bring up the issue at the association’s next meeting. What’s in your building’s common areas today could be in your apartment tomorrow and possibly spread into other nearby units.

Most buildings have at least one unit who refuses to allow pest control professionals inside or refuses to keep the unit in good sanitary condition. This one unit can keep pest infestations coming back time and again. It might also be a good idea to contact your apartment community manager and let him or her know about the situation.