If you manage a multifamily building or own two-family rentals you know how difficult it can be to manage pests like mice, cockroaches, flies, and of course the elusive bed bug – just to name a few. But the reasons why pest control in apartment buildings is so difficult vary. Here are the top 5.
Issue #1: Delays in Addressing Bed Bug Infestations
Bed bugs are arguably the largest pest concern for property managers of multifamily communities. From traveling and hitchhiking to adjacent apartments, to expertly hiding until bites happen, they are a threat that most apartment buildings will have to deal with at some point. According to Get One Desk, a staggering 89% of pest control professionals say they’ve dealt with bed bug infestations in apartment complexes.
Signs of Infestation
Since bed bugs have nothing to do with cleanliness or sanitation like cockroaches, flies, and mice do, they can show up anywhere. Here are some signs you may have bed bug issues on your hands:
- Reddish-brown fecal spots: Bed bugs leave behind small, dark fecal stains on mattresses, upholstery, or walls. These stains are digested blood and can appear as tiny dots.
- Bites on residents: The bites often appear in clusters or a linear pattern because bed bugs tend to bite multiple times while searching for a blood vessel.
- Bed bug eggs: Tiny, white, pinhead-sized eggs can be found in mattress seams, cracks, and crevices.
- Musty odor: Bed bugs release pheromones that can produce a distinct musty, sweet smell, especially noticeable in larger infestations.
Preventive Measures
One of the best apartment pest control tips for dealing with bed bugs is to be proactive. The ONLY way to be proactive with bed bugs is to have routine inspections done by bed bug-sniffing dogs. Having properly trained dogs inspecting your building will catch just one bed bug – even just one bed bug egg! Catching bed bugs that early can help keep them from spreading to adjacent rooms as well as make for a more affordable treatment option.
Because bed bugs are so tiny and difficult to spot with the naked eye, it is always best to lean on a trusted pest control provider if you suspect you may have a bed bug issue on your property.
Issue #2: Limited Access to Pest Control Services
While well-known among property managers and owners, many residents will call a pest control company themselves rather than contacting management. This can prolong the pest issue and give the pests more time to reproduce and spread from unit to unit – a serious issue, especially if they are dealing with a bed bug concern. To prevent this, establish a clear rule that residents must report any pest problems directly to management. As a result, you’ll ensure fewer delays and frustration.
Issue #3: Inconsistent Routine Pest Control Measures
You shouldn’t be waiting until there’s a pest problem to call a pest control company. Mice will reproduce quickly in secluded areas that have food, shelter, and water. Cockroaches will infiltrate your boiler room, trash areas, and any other area that isn’t used often or doesn’t see a lot of foot traffic. Routinely inspecting these areas will catch pest issues early and help to keep populations under control. Leave them be and you could face a much larger infestation – much more difficult and much more expensive to deal with.
Issue #4: Different Sanitation Practices Per Unit
Because multifamily properties house a wide range of individuals, cleaning rituals and sanitation practices are bound to differ from unit to unit. However, this variation means that if one unit is experiencing a pest issue, this can easily spread to others – no matter how clean that apartment may be – creating a larger problem. To help mitigate this, encourage residents to report problems early and work with your trusted pest control provider to keep issues contained.
Issue #5: Communication with Pest Control Providers
Effective communication between pest control technicians, residents, and property managers is crucial. A professional technician who communicates clearly about their actions and the products they use can ease residents’ concerns and enhance the property’s reputation. This level of service is essential for maintaining a positive living environment for a wide range of residents.
Multifamily properties are already challenging to manage – you don’t want pest issues to pose even more of a challenge. Contact Waltham Pest Services today for apartment pest control tips to help mitigate common issues like bed bugs.