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Because of the ease with which pests can travel between units and buildings, it is of the utmost importance to properly inspect and treat every unit. A written report should be furnished to the tenants explaining what the pest control operator is treating for, what type of chemicals or traps are being used and where the traps or insecticides have been placed. Any instructions, precautions or suggestions should be left on the report as well. Bi-monthly Pest control in high-rise apartment buildings. In more serious cases, a monthly treatment may be required to get the situation better under control. Pest control in apartments might include spraying and powdering cracks and crevaces in the building. The fact is that pests can enter your apartment unit via cracks underneath doors and walls. Seal these potential pest entry points to help keep pests from taking up residence on your property.

As an apartment tenant what can I do to prevent pest infestations?

Sanitation habits play a very important roll in preventing and eliminating pest invaders. Insects and rodents need food, water and shelter to survive. Eliminating as many of these resources as possible will help avoid infestations.

  1. Keep kitchen area as clean as possible.
    • Wash and put away dishes after every use
    • Wipe down counter tops to get rid of any little food crumbs
    • Rinse and dry sinks every night to eliminate a possible water source
    • Empty toaster crumb trays, wipe down appliances
    • Thoroughly sweep the floor to get rid of crumbs
    • Mop at least once  a week to get rid of spilled liquids and food particles
    • Either use a trash can with a very tight fitting lid or take out trash every night
  2. Get rid of clutter.
    • Throw away cardboard boxes.
    • Eliminate any unneeded papers, put remaining papers in secure containers.
    • Similarly, do not to put anything (blankets, clothes, files…) under your bed or sofa unless it is in a secure (pest resistant) container.
    • Get rid of any unused items. (clothes, linens, food items and papers that are left unchecked for long periods of time may become perfect hiding or breeding places for pests)
  3. Check for moisture problems
    • Fix leaky faucets.
    • Check for “sweating pipes”.
    • Search for and fix any leaking pipes.
    • Check seals around doors and windows for moisture.

What should I do if I already have pests in my apartment?

Getting rid of pests in an apartment can be difficult without the support of management and the tenants in the adjoining units. If management provides pest control they should notify the tennants of any pest control methods or products that they use. This is so they are not over spraying or over treating your unit. In addition, the following steps should be followed:

  1. Inspect the entire apartment thoroughly. Look for places where pests can enter the space. Search for gaps, cracks or holes near appliances, in and around cabinets, around utility cables or wires (pipes, plug outlets, TV cable…), around door frames and window frames, and underneath baseboards. Search for pest damage such as gnawed holes in walls or food products, feces or urine.
  2. Identify the pest. This step is very important. The treatment for rats is different than for mice. However, the treatment for roaches is different from the treatment for fleas. In most cases you can make a visual identification by either seeing the pest or by finding the feces or idamage left behind. Above all, you should ask for a professional inspection before doing any type of treatment.
  3. Seal entry points using Stuf-Fit Copper mesh, Pur Black Foam, caulk, hardware cloth, or sheet metal.
  4. Choose a treatment appropriate for the type of pest that is infesting your apartment. Here is a list of pests that frequently infest apartment buildings.

For control of insect pests in apartments it is recommended to apply a dust such as Delta dust or Motherearth D dust under the baseboards around the perimeter of each room using a hand duster. This will help prevent pests from coming under the walls from neighboring apartments. It is also recommend to apply a liquid insecticide such as Talstar or Suspend every 3 months to get rid of any insects that have managed to make their way indoors and to help prevent any future infestations. Both of these products have a very broad label and will eliminate most insects.

Rodents in the apartment

For general rodent control consider placing snap traps or glue boards in problem areas. We do NOT recommend putting rodenticides (mouse or rat poison) indoors as the rodents could die in an inaccessible area and cause a horrible stench and a secondary insect infestation from blow flies, maggots, roaches and carrion beetles.

One of the toughest problems that apartment management companies face is pest infestations. Most apartment 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, costing apartment management time, labor and money.

Integrated Pest Management for apartments

Step by step

Apartment managers should consider implementing an Integrated Pest Management program. Integrated Pest Management or 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. In addition, follow these steps:

  1. Inspection. Inspect the environment. Try to determine where the pests are coming in, and why they are coming in. Is there a crack or crevice they are using? Is there a moisture issue? Are sanitation conditions poor?
  2. Identification. Identifying pests is a very important step. If you are unsure of what type of insect you have found, contact your local Cooperative Extension Office . Ask that an insect identification be made. Rodents are usually easily identified by looking at photos of the pests for comparison and by the area they are found in. If this step is skipped or the pest is misidentified, pest control management may fail.
  3. Monitoring. Monitor areas that are suspected to be infested. Put out glue boards or snap traps to trap rodents and insects. This will help identify what areas need to be treated.
  4. Exclusion. All entry points found during the inspection must be addressed. Cracks and crevices can be sealed with Stuf-Fit Copper Mesh or Pur Black Foam. Weather seals around doors and windows may need to be replaced. Mesh on screens should be replaced if tiny insect are able to crawl through. Attic vents may need to have mesh installed to exclude small rodents. Caulk around baseboards and cracks around door frames and window frames to stop insects from entering the apartment through the walls.
  5. Sanitation. Many rodents and insects are drawn to areas where poor sanitation exists. Dumpster areas should be kept clean 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. Bushes, trees and shrubbery should be kept well maintained to eliminate pest harborages. After that, all moisture conditions such as leaky pipes or poor drainage should be addressed.
  6. Treatment. Treat problem areas accordingly. Depending on the type of pest you are treating for this may involve spraying an insecticide or putting down traps or placing out baits to get rid of an active infestation.   

 Educate and inform staff about Pest control in high-rise apartment buildings

All personnel performing pesticide treatments should be fully educated on the type of products being used and all label precautions should be followed. Failure to follow all guidelines can lead to pest control failure or harm to tenants or tenants pets. The City of Hamilton website provides important information about pest control.

Liquid concentrates for unit perimeter treatments:

Talstar – Talstar kills over 75 insect pests and can be used for indoor pest control and outdoor pest control. Plus, Talstar One is odorless, dries clear, leaves no stains, is non-irritating to the skin, and won’t break down easily with rainfall.

Demand CS – offers excellent indoor and outdoor pest control. It is micro-encapsulated meaning that when you apply it, it leaves thousands of micro particles that bind to the surface offering long-term protection and fast insect knock-down. Demand CS controls more than 30 common insects including spiders, ants, flies, wasps, fleas, ticks and bed bugs.

The process of General Home Pest Control includes 3 basic but essential elements that are beneficial to every pest control effort: Sanitation, Exclusion, and Chemical Pest Control Products. If you have problems with common household pests such as ants, cockroaches, fleas or ladybugs, or simply desire to prevent future infestations from occurring, there are great benefits to be had from following these basic methods of do it yourself home pest control.

Suspend SC – Suspend SC leaves a clear residual on surfaces that keeps on killing pests for up to 3 months. Suspend SC Insecticide is an EXCELLENT general purpose perimeter pesticide for use both indoors and outdoors.

Pest control in high-rise apartment buildings 

1) Sanitation

Pests of all kinds require food and water that is found throughout our homes as a result of crumbs, food spills, leaky faucets, and standing water. In addition to food and water, a large number of insect pests also require some form of filth-mold, mildew, damp organic material, rotting debris-in which to live and breed. Sanitation in pest control is about making your environment more fit for you and above all, less fit for pests.

  • Keep the kitchen area clean, especially the area under, behind, and alongside appliances that are often neglected.
  • Store food in sealed containers, including pet food that may be stored outside.
  • Keep garbage stored in cans or receptacles with tight fitting lids.
  • Take out the trash often and clean the can with ammonia on a regular basis.
  • Do not leave standing water in the sink.
  • Linens should be washed regularly with hot water, and then properly stored with moth balls if necessary.
  • Leaky pipes can cause moisture and mold problems and should be fixed promptly.
  • Keep the bathroom area clean and free of mold and mildew as much as possible.


2) Exclusion

Another essential element of general home pest control is exclusion-keeping pests outside of your home strategically eliminating points and methods of entry.

  • Maintain window screens and doors to exclude flying insect pests.
  • Repair door sweeps to exclude crawling insects such as cockroaches or pillbugs.
  • Close any large openings and holes in foundation walls to exclude larger animal pests such as raccoons and squirrels.
  • Repair smaller cracks and crevices in foundation walls (using heavy duty caulk)
  • Remove debris near the side of the home, including piles of leaves, lumber and firewood piles, and garbage cans, all of which provide inviting habitats for pests.


3) Chemical Pest Control Products

There are a large number of chemical pesticides available to homeowners. These products will generally work better and prove more effective if sanitation and exclusion measures have been practiced first. Chemical pest control products come in various formulations to suit your needs and circumstances, including dusts, baits, granular, and liquid formulations. Before applying a pesticide product, always read the directions on the label.

Managing Pests in Apartment Buildings

Apartment buildings are challenging because they provide easy access to food, water, shelter and the added bonus of adjoining walls and shared utilities.

If there is one thing we can all agree on in the pest management industry, it’s that managing pest problems in apartment buildings is not easy.

Pests thrive in apartment buildings because of easy access to food, water, shelter. The added bonus of adjoining walls and shared utilities. If resources become scarce in one unit, pests such as mice, cockroaches and bed bugs easily can move from one unit to another. This presents a unique challenge to apartment building managers because it becomes increasingly crucial to manage the behaviors of residents. In order to find success with pest management in an apartment building.

Pest control best practices

  1. Utilize the whole staff to accomplish your goals. If you are responsible for a small apartment building, you may have to deal with the manager, maintenance person and salesperson. In a larger complex, though, multiple people may play these roles. The first step in implementing a successful Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program, regardless of staff size, is to get all individuals on the same page — including the residents.
  2. Involve the residents. This may seem like the most challenging part of the plan, and we’re only on step two! At the end of the day though, resident involvement is absolutely crucial for success. Pests such as cockroaches and rodents thrive in unclean and cluttered environments. Educating residents on how they can prevent pests is a key step in your building’s IPM program.
  3. Work to educate staff and residents. What is the old saying — you don’t know what you don’t know? Setting the expectation that all residents and staff members are going to assist in the efforts to prevent pests is great in theory, but if they don’t know how to do that, it will never work. Consider working with the apartment company management to create a formal training plan and/or distribute printed literature on the most common pests found in apartment buildings.
  4. Uphold expectations. After staff and residents are trained, require inspections at scheduled intervals that plan for designated individuals to physically go inside each unit at least twice a year. They should be looking for actual pests; signs of pests such as feces, rub marks or gnaw marks; structural conditions that would be conducive to pests such as holes or gaps around external utilities, windows and doors; or internal conditions like clutter, lack of cleanliness or improper food storage.

#1 pest problem in high-rise apartment buildings

 One of the biggest headaches for apartments, and one of the biggest risks to resident health, is the German cockroach, the most common species of cockroach found in apartment buildings. They are known to spread a number of diseases, risking your residents’ health and well-being. These diseases include E. coli, Salmonella spp. and typhus. German cockroaches also are known to cause allergic reactions in children or worsen asthma symptoms. Below are some key characteristics of German cockroaches:

  • Adults are pale brown to tan and are ½-inch long.
  • Adults have wings and two dark stripes that run lengthwise just behind the head.
  • German cockroaches have the highest reproductive potential of all structure-invading cockroaches, meaning they lay the most eggs and live the shortest amount of time.
  • German cockroaches are usually found close to moisture and food (behind sinks, in cabinets, beneath kitchen equipment).
  • If German cockroaches are found away from food sources, it signifies a very significant population.

What should residents do to prevent cockroaches in their apartments?

  • Seal all food in plastic or glass containers.
  • Wipe down all kitchen surfaces regularly.
  • Remove trash frequently from unit.
  • Throw away cardboard boxes and paper frequently (a favorite of cockroaches).
  • Wash and store dishes immediately after use.
  • Clean under utilities on a regular basis.
  • Eliminate clutter.
  • Report any moisture problems to management immediately.
  • Report any signs of cockroaches to management immediately. Signs include:
    • Droppings, which resemble pepper flakes or coffee grounds, on countertops, drawers, corners of the room/counter, along the tops of doors or cracks/crevices.
    • Egg capsules, which are dark, reddish-brown and usually appear near food and water, or empty egg cases.
    • An unexplained “musty” odor.

A healthy home is one that is dry, clean, ventilated, safe, well-maintained and pest-free. Residents have high standards when it comes to pests and a little work on the front end can result in big returns.

Pest control and your landlord

The good thing about apartment buildings is they usually have a contractual local pest control company and the number to reach them is in their contacts list. Be sure to read your lease in full detail before accepting the keys to your new apartment, or before you move anywhere. Your lease should outline the rules about pest control and emergency situations. Pests can do a lot of property damage if the infestation isn’t dealt with ASAP.

One of the biggest telltale signs of an infestation in apartments is weird noises such as scuffling, squeaking, or rustling where there shouldn’t be. Reporting on this is important, because you never know what kind of varmint is running around near the roof, or in the air ducts. Bug bites, droppings, and weird smells that weren’t there before are also worth reporting.

You should also file a complaint to your landlord if you’ve spotted an abundance of nearby varmints that are causing you and your neighbours trouble, such as a wasp’s nest (these varmints can build their nests even in garage compounds or in nearby bushes) or a raccoon raising its babies nearby. So long as the pest problem is on the property where you live and you have the proof of an infestation (asking your neighbours and joining forces is one good way to see some pest control action happen), it’s your landlord’s responsibility to make the call to your Pest Control.

If you don’t report anything, they may not realize the extent of the infestation until it’s way, way too late and the pest control needed gets expensive, which deters most people from calling for help in the first place.

Cleaning tips for pest control

Sanitation and controlling cleanliness are key to preventing infestations from occurring in your apartment.

  • Keep your kitchen tidy and clean. The less crumbs and dirty dishes you have lying around, the better. Keep an eye on your cupboards for any cereal remnants, dirt, and in specific cases rodent droppings. Vacuum, sweep, and mop the floors regularly, and clean the insides of the cupboards for best preventive care. Cleaning your kitchen appliances such as the microwave, oven, and toaster can also help.
  • Look for cobwebs and if you see any, vacuum them up or sweep them away.
  • Clean out all the drains in your kitchen and bathroom every so often to discourage fruit fly, firebrat, and silverfish infestations from building up.
  • Throw out all garbage, recycling, and compost if the bins are near overflowing, and wash out all the bins if they’re especially stinky (i.e. just be a considerate human being! No one likes smelly garbage. Pests love it though!).
  • Vacuum, vacuum, and then vacuum some more. Seriously, this is one of the best ways to prevent all sorts of infestations from rising up!
  • Throw out any old cereals, grains, and rotting produce the minute you find them. These are ideal infestation sources for pesky critters such as grain or flour beetles and fruit flies.
  • Toss out any items you’re not using or will never use, such as cardboard, loose papers, and clothing—all of which could attract pests such as silverfish and clothing moths.
  • Check for excess moisture such as kitchen pipes and leaky faucets. These can create a desirable environment for pests.

Unfortunately some pests will infest even if you keep your apartment clean, such as the always popular cockroach and bed bug (yes, even cockroaches can and will infest the cleanest areas. It depends on how much decay has built up.). Never hesitate to call and report the pest problem if this is your current one. You can read more about these pests here (for the bed bug) and here (for the cockroach) if you need to refresh your memory on what these varmints may look like.

BED BUGS

Like we said, these varmints are especially troublesome for apartment tenants (and everyone else). Homemade traps and pesticides will not remove the bed bugs, nor will store-bought mattress covers no matter how appealing they may look.

Only a professional pest control company has the right treatment, pesticide, and protective covers needed to get rid of bed bugs and prevent them from coming anywhere near you again. The sooner you report them to your landlord (and unfortunately, you may need a sample.

HOUSEPLANTS

Houseplants can bring a lot of green and colour to your apartment, especially if it’s the standard colour of boring eggshell. However, buyer beware, because many houseplants are also ideal homes and nesting places for pests such as fungus gnats, aphids, and mites.

Calling in your local Pest Control can help eradicate the eggs and give you tips on how to prevent them from returning (unfortunately, you may need to get rid of the dirt hosting your plants—more often than not, that’s how these varmints get around).

They lurk in the dark, they feed in the night, they crave human flesh…this summer, no one can escape from…THE BED BUGS!

Seriously, these varmints can go everywhere you don’t want them to be. They are the most notorious pests that plague many a hotelier or summertime tourist, and just like Dracula, they always find a way to creep back into your life, all the while sucking your blood and draining your energy.

That’s not to say bed bugs are impossible to get rid of though. While they are built to be great at defense mechanisms such as hardiness, that doesn’t mean they’re completely invincible. So, relax, our Pest Boss knows how to get rid of bed bugs (as well as other varmints like flies, wasps, ants, and so on). To help you better protect yourself this summer, we’re going to have to go over what to expect from bed bugs.

The life cycle of a bed bug

The bed bug is one of the insect kingdom’s vampires, and they’re ten times as bad, if not worse, than fleas (although mosquitoes are a very close second, since they can carry horrible diseases like the West Nile virus and malaria). Summertime is most definitely bed bug season, although it doesn’t take too long for them in infest any season of the year. Summer just happens to be their favourite, because guess what else happens in the summer…yes…traveling.

Like every insect, the bed bug starts out with these stages: the egg, the larva, and the adult. The eggs hatch after 6 to 10 days of being laid by mama bed bug and they’re about 1/16 inches long. Mama will be busy all the while, laying up to 200 to 250 eggs in her lifetime (see, we told you!). The larva’s thought process is exactly what you think it is: “Must drink blood. Must drink blood. Must drink blood.”

Adults basically do the same as larva, except the females lay the eggs after mating and the males don’t lay eggs…they just suck. Literally. The more they’ve had to eat, the bigger and redder they look. This makes them easier to find.

A bed bug also has longevity on its side. A bed bug will feast on a blood meal weekly once it’s reached adulthood. An adult bed bug can live up to 5 to 6 months without a blood meal, but some bed bugs can live up to 1 year while living in cooler conditions and with no food.

Signs of a bedbug infestation

  • A weird, sickly sweet smell, like overripe raspberries; this is a red flag that your infestation is a really bad one
  • Itchy, red, swollen bites appearing on your body; the worse the infestation is, the more bites will appear!
  • Blood stains seemingly appearing overnight on your pillowcase or sheets
  • Black specks; this is their fecal matter
  • White specks that look like grains of rice on your bed skirt, sheets, mattress cover, and mattress; these are their eggs

Bedbugs in my bedroom

Bed bugs are the world’s most notoriously sneaky pests. Given their tiny size, they can literally find their way into more than just your bed and mattress where it’s dark and not easy to access; the worst infestations take place in the crevices and creases between your bed mattress and the floor, the bedroom closet, and even in the wiring, ventilation, and walls! This is why bed bugs are so hard to get rid of (especially if you live in an apartment building); chances are if you find bed bugs in your room and you live in an apartment, they’ve found their way into your neighbours’ homes, too. Some people aren’t sensitive to being bitten, however, so they may miss the signs and causes of an infestation without even realizing.

It helps to know the causes of bed bugs to prevent them from even coming near your home (and to find out what you have to do).

  • Traveling. That means if a hotel room has been infested, you could be at risk of bringing bedbugs home with you in your suitcase, traveling clothes, shoes, luggage, and backpacks. Your luggage is more at risk if it’s left on an infested bed or on the floor of the bedroom. Summer is the time of the year when people love to travel, but unfortunately, so do they.
  • The best mattress cover to use should be purchased.
  • New, used items. Some people love the idea of bringing home a discount couch from a used furniture store or thrift shop. Buyer beware. Especially if the furniture has been left on the curb for days. Other items that bed bugs love to infest include anything made of cloth, stuffed dolls and toys, and used clothes.

Non-causes of bed bugs spreading around:

  • Moving around. Objects that stay in motion are not ideal places for Count Bed Bug to establish its haunted castle. Bedbugs are more often found in the dead of night since they suck your blood while you’re sleeping. Their bites don’t hurt you and tend to appear after 10 days have passed.
  • Hugging people. While we do advise you to clean your clothes as soon as you discover an infestation, you won’t pass bed bugs on to the next person if you hug them (although they may not want one!).
  • Jumping. Unlike their vampire cousin the flea, bed bugs don’t have the same body fleas do, including their uncanny jumping skills. They make excellent crawlers though and can get into the dark crevices in wall sockets and electronics.

HOW TO GET RID OF BED BUGS

Aside from calling your local Pest Control company to help exterminate the bed bugs, you will need to be diligent and stay determined in between heat treatments of your home. Otherwise, the infestation will only get worse.

Heat the bedbug’s number one weakness. While unfortunately direct sunlight won’t kill them outright, they cannot live in temperatures above 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit).

  • As soon as you discover the bed bugs, grab your new best friend: the vacuum cleaner. You’re not done though; before and after you grab the vacuum, be sure to wear gloves and also dispose of the vacuum cleaner bag in an extra garbage bag before taking that bag out to the curb.
  • Take off your clothes. We’re talking about the clothes you’re wearing or have worn upon discovering the infestation. Send them along with all your infested bedding straight into the wash in hot water and then dry them in the dryer (use the hottest settings your washer and dryer allows) for about 1 hour and 30 minutes. This should help kill any eggs and larvae hanging out on your bedding. You will unfortunately need to repeat this step if and when you discover a bed bug hanging out in your personal space.
  • Rubbing alcohol can actually help deter bed bugs from laying their eggs where you don’t want them. It may not kill them outright, but for short term solutions when it’s late at night, everything helps.
  • When you’re traveling, make sure the room you step into does not smell of overripe raspberries before dropping off your luggage. Check the creases under the mattress and mattress cover and bedding where they’re most likely to nest. Do not place any luggage on the bed or on the floor. Wherever you go, it’s a good idea to wrap your valuable belongings in plastic so that bed bugs cannot enter and infest. Next to heat, plastic is their one weakness; the less access you give them to a blood meal, the better.
  • Traps are available. You can usually install them under each bedpost. Remember, you are their food source, so they’re more likely to stick around in or near your bed than anywhere else.

Bed bugs can, and they’re treatable. Now that you know more about bed bugs, you can hopefully stay safe. If you notice an infestation, don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and call your local Pest Control company.

Cockroaches in apartment buildings

Cockroach infestation can happen even in clean places It’s true. The dirtier the place is, the worse the infestation. However, even in clean places, you’ve got to watch out for this infamous pest and exterminate any infestations that are breaking out.

Cockroaches are basically the brand image for dirt and decay. They can plague many a restaurant and tarnish their good image if even one is discovered. It doesn’t matter what room it’s found in; one cockroach means there could be millions nearby, and even one around is one too many.

The lifespan of a cockroach is incredible. They even predate our dinosaur buddies as nature’s oldest creatures; the oldest cockroach in existence to date is 300 million years old! Even when they lose their head (we mean that literally), a cockroach can still get around. These are testaments to how hardy and tough these varmints are to eradicate.

Like its ancient ancestors, the cockroaches of today feast on rot and decaying matter such as garbage, compost, rotting food, and damp wood. If you can’t tell already, the dark and the damp are the cockroach’s favourite places to nest. Like we said, they can and will nest even in a clean house if rot is nearby.

Unfortunately, cockroaches are more common in Vancouver than you may realize. The German cockroach is one of BC’s most common types or roaches. It can be easily identified by its long antennae and a body length of 1.1 to 1.6 inches long. Bites can even happen if you’re not careful, leading to swelling, irritation, and even lesions.

Spiders infestation in your apartment building

Spiders are the most famous pests. Their eight legs and web-spinning feats can turn even the most elegant home or the most modern building into looking like the Addams family mansion. Cobwebs and spider webs are sticky and unpleasant to walk into, especially when it’s by surprise.

Most spiders are actually very beneficial including our Canadian guys and gals spiders because they eat other pests that are causing us grief such as wasps, blow flies, and grasshoppers. However, too many in a home or basement can make for a big problem. Spiders love hanging out in the darkest corners where predators, including us, can’t reach them. Normally an infestation isn’t noticed until weeks later after its development.

All spiders are venomous. However, the most common ones here in Hamilton are not venomous to the point where they are lethal; most of them are more likely to cause irritation and itchy, red bumps on the skin. Even just one bite means trouble for those allergic to insect and arachnid bites though.

ABOUT THE SILVERFISH

Silverfish are actually little pests that infest homes, apartment buildings, and basically any structure that’s warm, moist, dark, and cozy. Sometimes silverfish get confused with a few other common pests: the centipede and the firebrat.

Silverfish mainly decide to nest in the walls or around drain pipes, specifically anywhere that is dark and damp such as the kitchen, bathroom, attic, and basement. They usually pop out for a visit at night when it’s dark rather than during the daytime; they’re the insect kingdom’s night owls. So, it’s not uncommon to not realize you have a silverfish problem in the first place unless it’s by pure chance.

A silverfish diet mostly consists of breadcrumbs, food crumbs, dust, paper, damp clothes, leather clothes, and book bindings—basically, your bookshelf is their dinner table (sorry to any book lovers out there!).

Silverfish females are slow to reproduce, laying only 60 eggs a year and 100 eggs on average in their lifetime. However, they live long enough to cause some damage to your books and wallpaper, about 5 years!

Silverfish are not poisonous. Silverfish are not toxic to pets or humans. However, silverfish make a great dinner for more poisonous varmints such as spiders and, if you’re especially unlucky, cockroaches—both which carry venom and diseases.

Signs of a Silverfish infestation

The most obvious sign is that once you’ve seen one in existence, it’s a possibility that it’s either a straggler or there is a million more where it came from. Be aware as well of these telltale signs of a potential infestation:

  • Droppings. Their feces actually appear and look out of the ordinary, resembling peppercorn pieces (ie black and spherical).
  • Holes in your books (especially in the middle), wallpaper, office papers, and any cardboard boxes you have in storage. This is a clear sign the silverfish have found their next meal.
  • Inexplicable yellow stains on your clothes—because you know, when you gotta go…you know the rest.
  • Shedded skin, which camouflages really well with any dust or debris hanging out in your bathroom or kitchen.
  • Increased holes and gaps in your home’s plaster, baseboards, window sills, etc.

Simple: silverfish love to travel, and their favourite means of transportation is by book and box. Usually, an infestation can begin in the garage, attic, or basement where lots of cardboard boxes are kept in storage. These are the likeliest places where they can make their new home safely since they’re a big fan of carbohydrates. Mmm, bread…

Anyway, indoors is not the only place where you’ll likely find silverfish. You may find most of them hiding out in the shed or even your garage.

HOW DO I KEEP SILVERFISH OUT?

Silverfish aren’t toxic nor are they interested in biting or stinging you on purpose (unlike its mistaken identity, the centipede…). However, there is, unfortunately, no real preventative solution to getting rid of silverfish. Once you’ve found one, odds are high that a whole lot more are getting themselves comfortable in your home. There are articles online that say you can use preventatives, but these are only short-term solutions to the big picture. Your belongings—especially the books—are at risk of being eaten.

Why condos need pest control

This sounds obvious, but there are a lot of valid reasons why condo tenants and owners should and must have pest control in place:

  • Mice and rats as pets are out there, rodents are definitely not what you want to find in your pantry.
  • It looks bad on your condo’s strata managers to not get the problem fixed. Reputation means everything no matter what type of building you own or live in. If one person spreads the word about how your condominium complex is infested, well, the news can spread and be as bad as an actual infestation!
  • It will cost more to get rid of an infestation left alone for a few weeks than it would be to prevent it from happening in the first place. This is why any report of an infestation should be taken seriously by the condo building strata council. It’s also why construction pest control is a necessary course of action for some managers, since a lot of pest problems can arise while a new condo building is being built.
  • Pests can cause severe damage to the property such as contaminating the insulation, creating holes in the roof, ceilings, and walls of units. Rodents can damage the electrical and ventilation systems. The longer they’re around, the more extensive the damages will be and the more expensive extermination can become.
  • Diseases can spread from an infestation or wild animal nests if left alone.

How infestations arise in Condos

The most common causes of an infestation can actually be one or a few combined causes, such as the following:

  • Pests nesting during the construction of the condo building that go unnoticed
  • Pests moving in with traveling tenants, usually from new or used items or on pets themselves
  • Littering and improper garbage/recycling disposal
  • How old the building is (i.e. buildings as old as your grandparents when they were kids)
  • Access points for pests in the infrastructure or foundation gone unnoticed until now, such as the ventilation and air ducts
  • Tree branches extending over balconies, as well as the balconies themselves
  • Drains, plumbing, and sewer pipes going uncleaned or unmaintained for an extended period of time

The most common pests in apartments

However, these would be the most frequently recurring pests to watch out for:

  • Ants (carpenter, Pharaoh, cornfield/moisture—mainly from spring to fall)
  • Bed bugs (summer)
  • Termites (year round)
  • Silverfish (year round)
  • Mice (year round)
  • Rats (year round)
  • Spiders (year round)
  • Fleas (year round—yes, even in non-pet-friendly complexes it can happen!)
  • Cockroaches (mostly year round, but especially in summer
  • Fruit flies (spring)

For more information or to identify which pest is the current problem, there is an excellent pest control company out there that goes by the name pestboss.ca. In their words … check out our Click-a-Pest section.

What condo tennants can do

If you are renting a condo unit, you are responsible for maintaining your space as well as reporting to your strata managers and council of any pest problems. There are some ways to prevent a possible infestation from happening in the first place:

  • Don’t leave pet food bowls outside, and keep their eating areas clean.
  • Regularly check your bedding.
  • The vacuum cleaner is your friend. Repeat after me: the vacuum cleaner is your friend.
  • Don’t leave trash or recycling inside the suite for too long and dispose of it properly.
  • Keep any and all outdoor barbecues, bird feeders, and trash and compost bin lids tightly sealed.
  • Don’t bring any used items home off of the street.
  • Check all your luggage both before and after coming home from a trip.
  • Wash all your clothes in hot water and soap before and after traveling.
  • Keep your ears open and your eyes peeled when outside.
  • Keep your home clean and follow the sanitation guidelines outlined in your lease.

What condo strata managers must do for Pest control in high-rise apartment buildings

Proper communication is a must between condo tenants and the owners and strata managers in charge of the units. Otherwise, you’re looking at one big expensive mess that neither of you want. It costs way more money to get rid of an existing infestation than it would to prevent an infestation in the first place.

Strata managers, while they are not solely responsible for the entire task of upholding property upkeep, are usually responsible for overall common areas in the building. The first action that should be done in the event an infestation has been reported is to call a pest control company near them. This should be done in order to properly protect the units and prevent further infestations from arising.

It’s also advisable for a pest management plan to be set in place so that prevention can be provided and money and time can be saved. In conclusion, nothing will change or be righted if the pest problem is left alone!

Is there a mouse in my apartment?

1. Identify the issue

You probably didn’t wake up one day and randomly think that your apartment has a mice problem. Most likely there was one or more of the following tell-tale signs:

  • Sound. You probably heard the mice squeaking, scratching, and running somewhere, either in your cupboards or in the attic.
  • Droppings. You’ve noticed droppings, something that looks like pellets, most likely around the kitchen and pantry area. This also means that the mice have also found a food source.
  • Smell. Maybe you smelled something musky around the house. That’s mouse urine. The stronger the smell, the more likely it is that that’s where the nest is located.
  • Holes. Noticing you’re grains pouring out of bags? That’s probably from their little teeth making holes in bags in order to get to the goodies inside.

2. Let the landlord or property manager know

Once you’ve identified the problem and have grounded your suspicions, let you landlord or the property manager know. They don’t want mice on their property either.

3. Identify entry points

Mice can get into an apartment through the most surprising pathways. They can even go through your vents and plumbing system. However, don’t try to close off entry points on your own – you might risk being bitten by one of the culprits, which can cause its own medical complications. Let pest control deal with it.

4. Clean your home

Mice like to hide, so the best way to prevent them from ever coming to your house is by getting rid of possible hiding spots. You can do so by increasing visibility and cleaning up. Put away those piles of clothes, dust and vacuum regularly, wash the dishes, and don’t let your pairs of shoes add up by the door.

5. Use steel wool

Mice can’t chew through steel wool. If you come across a hole barricade it with this material. Remember, don’t do this if you already have a mice problem, as there might be a rodent in that hole.

6. Use air-tight containers for food

Earlier we talked about mice chewing through bags and sticking around your kitchen due to it being a good source of food. You can prevent this from happening by using air-tight containers instead. This should prevent mice following the scent of tasty treats you have in your pantry and keep their teeth at bay.

7. Throw out the garbage  

Make sure your trash can has a lid to keep the scent encapsulated and scraps out of reach of rodents. Throwing the trash away on a regular basis prevents that bin lid from staying open and inviting mice for a feast.