Renting an apartment affords most people the ability to work, live, and play without traveling too far. With easy access to shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and shops, apartment living is an excellent option for many Americans.
Due to the multifamily nature of nearly all apartment buildings, you are more likely to share a lot with your neighbors. For instance, you may share the aroma of your neighbor’s lunch wafting down the hall, noise through the walls or floors or you may be that great neighbor that shares a cup or more of sugar. Unfortunately, you are also likely to share pests with your neighbors.
According to Elevate Pest Control, apartment complexes are tough structures for pest control. The units are always at proximity. That makes it difficult to pinpoint the major cause of a pest infestation. Note that apartment units share floor and walls. They are also connected by utilities and that creates pathways for pests to invade your living space.
Besides, pests are sneaky and can easily enter your apartment through sliding doors or open windows, ventilation slats for AC units, and under doors that don’t have sweeps. Pests can also enter your apartment via windows if they don’t have the right weather stripping. Potted plants, according to experts, can offer extra access for pests.
Flies, bed bugs, cockroaches, wasps, birds, and rodents are some of the common pests that plague an apartment environment. Though it might seem that some of these pest issues are inevitable, you can take some steps to minimize future infestations. Some of these steps include;
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Avoid second-hand furniture
Different pieces of secondhand furniture might seem alluring and probably the perfect option for your interior décor. It is recommended to carefully inspect all pieces of secondhand furniture you intend to acquire before bringing them into your apartment. This is because such items can harbor powder post beetles, bed bugs, and more.
Inspect packages carefully
Sometimes, deliveries are a common avenue for different types of pests particularly those that hitch a ride inside through cardboard boxes. Generally, these boxes have a long journey before they get to their final destinations. That means they can easily pick up bugs at any point during transportation. Thus, it is wise to check boxes before bringing them into your apartment.
Exercise caution when returning home from travel
Don’t be surprised that travelers are also vulnerable to pests such as bed bugs. In fact, you can unknowingly bring these bugs from their journeys. These creepy bugs can be found in different modes of transportation, hotels, and other unexpected places such as retails stores, movie theatres, and more. That means it is easy to bring them into your apartment unknowingly.
Keeping the pests away from your apartment
You and other tenants can also participate in pest proofing around your apartments. Here are some tips.
- Dispose of all forms garbage regularly using sealed receptacles
- Sweep floors and wipe down all kitchen counters to eliminate crumbs and spills
- Routinely check and clean the area under sinks and repair all leaky pipes
- Vacuum clean at least weekly
If you realize that your apartment is infested with pests, it is time to call a professional pest exterminator.