Prevent Roaches in Apartments
Without a doubt, one of the most troublesome pest problems is a cockroach that infests apartments. In general, there are two groups of cockroaches that become problems in apartments, the domestic cockroaches and the peridomestic cockroaches. Domestic cockroaches are those that live almost entirely inside a structure. The common domestic cockroaches are the German cockroaches and the brown banded cockroaches. These cockroach species generally get inside apartments by being brought inside with some infested item or moving into a previously non-infested apartment from a nearby infested apartment or storage room via through cracks and gaps that provide access.
The peridomestic cockroaches are much less frequently encountered in apartments; however, at times they can create problems for occupants. The principal reason is that while peridomestic cockroaches can get inside apartments, they usually occur in the lower levels of the apartment building since they generally prefer moist habitats such as basements, drains and sewer pipes leading into the apartment building. Another common cause is plumbing leaks. The two most common peridomestic cockroaches are the American cockroach and the Oriental cockroach.
Whatever the species, cockroaches create problems in many ways. Their presence gives residents and visitors the impression of filth and poor housekeeping, so they are a nuisance and an embarrassment. In addition, cockroaches are a health related problem. Cockroaches create problems by transporting bacteria and other disease microorganisms that are found on their bodies, plus their presence often results in asthma and other related allergies. Problems with allergies are especially pronounced in children. Yet another cockroach-related problem is the contamination of foods when cockroaches get into stored and prepared foods.
Reduce Cockroaches in Apartments
One may ask – “what are the things I can do to help reduce cockroaches in my apartment?” The answer is to involve your apartment manager in the efforts needed to reduce or eliminate the contributing factors that support cockroach populations. Some of the important contributing factors are:
- Maintaining a clean and sanitary home environment. This involves vacuuming and regular house cleaning, especially the kitchen. Remove and clean food scraps that may provide a source of food for cockroaches. It is very important to regularly clean stoves, other cooking surfaces, between cabinets and appliances, under refrigerators and inside cabinets.
- Removing and eliminating water cockroaches need for survival. This is a particularly important way to help with peridomestic cockroach control since these cockroach species are more dependent than other species upon humidity and moisture requirements found outdoors.
- Removing, organizing and cleaning up clutter, piles of newspaper grocery sacks, cardboard or anything else that will provide protective, hiding places for cockroaches.
- Sealing cracks, gaps and holes in walls, cabinets, around the floor-wall junction and around pipes. Also, make sure that drains have tight fitting mesh or other drain covering devices to prevent Oriental and American cockroaches from getting inside.
When cockroaches appear, always contact your apartment manager for assistance. More than likely the apartment complex has a service agreement with a pest management company such as Western Pest Services. When problems are noted, the Western cockroach specialist will conduct an inspection and prepare a pest management plan that includes techniques for cleaning up, exclusion, reducing cockroach hiding places, and using registered cockroach traps, baits and insecticide products. Cockroaches are one of the most important enemies in apartments, so let the professionals at Western provide a science-based control program that works for you. Contact us today.