Keep Your Home Pest Free

Pests in your home, such as cockroaches or mice, can affect your family’s health. This is especially true for children and adults with asthma.
 

Prevent Pests

There are many things that you can do to help prevent pest problems in your apartment.

Routine pest control inspections will be conducted by management. However, if you notice any problems with insects or pests in your apartment, notify the management office immediately. Your apartment will be scheduled for prompt pest control service. Please do not be afraid or embarrassed to report any problems. Your cooperation is needed and appreciated.

Pests need the same things humans do – food, water, shelter, and a way to come and go. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) works by cutting off these basic needs.

Shut Down Pests’ Food and Water Supply

Roaches and mice like kitchens because they are warm and provide sources of water and food. Here are some tips to keep your home clean and prevent pest problems.

• Clean up food crumbs promptly and limit food to the kitchen and dining areas only.

• Do not leave dirty dishes on the counter or in the sink.

• Use covered garbage pails and take out garbage regularly.

• Store food in closed containers.

• Wipe down your stove and the wall areas around your stove every time you cook. At least once a week, thoroughly clean the stove and around the stove with an all-purpose, non-abrasive cleaner.

• Clean out and wash down your cabinets regularly to keep food spills from building up.

• Check caulking around sinks and showers and call management if repairs are needed.

• Wipe up spills on counters, table tops and the floor as soon as they happen.

• Report any leaks and drips to management so they can be fixed.
   

Eliminate Pests’ Homes

Clutter can provide a lot of shelter for both cockroaches and mice. Cockroaches also like to live in cardboard boxes. Clean up old newspapers, shopping bags, laundry, and other clutter. Erase pest travel routes by washing their paths with soap and water.

In order to reduce pest infestation, please report the following conditions to BHA. 

• Broken or damaged window screens.

• Cracks in baseboards and around pipes, especially pipes that connect one apartment to another.

• Holes in walls and cabinets.

• Any trash or discarded food in hallways, common areas, or on the development grounds.

• Any pest activity, such as rats or mice, on the grounds of the development.
   

Bed Bugs

Bed bug infestations should be taken very seriously. If you see bed bugs in your apartment or receive bed bug bites, you should report this immediately to the management office. This is a serious problem and should be addressed only by a professional. You should not feel any embarrassment – do not wait to inform the management office!

Signs of Bed Bugs

• Bites

• Blood spots

• Shed skins

• Living or dead bed bugs