Common Pests in Condominiums and How to Get Rid of Them

What are the most common pests in condominiums and how do you get rid of them?

1. Cockroaches
2. Rodents
3. Termites

 

If there is one thing that history can tell us about pests, it’s that they are persistent little buggers. Pests have been bothering humans ever since the dawn of time. Today, it can be easy to assume that living in a condo will save you from their infestations, but that is really not the case.

Even if your condominium unit is several stories high (or even on the topmost floor), that does not guarantee that you won’t have to deal with them anymore. As a testament to their adaptability and reliance on human activity, there are also many insects and animals that can be found pestering people in condominiums and similar structures.

To help get you up to speed and to keep you vigilant while residing in a condo, here are the most common pests that can be found be in condominiums.

 

Cockroaches

Cockroaches are arguably the most common kind of pest that can be found in homes, and living in a condo does not save you from them. In fact, cockroaches can become more noticeable and active when you live in a condo because, population-wise, they tend to be more numerous than when in a house. This is due to a condominium’s bigger overall structure and the increased amount of human activity.

Since cockroaches live off humans, more people means more avenues for them to thrive in. Given that condominium units are close-knit, cockroach infestations tend to be hard to get rid of. You can try to get rid of the roaches you see in your own unit, but that will not prevent cockroaches from other units from moving in.

Make sure to clean your unit because dirt and decay attract these repugnant insects. It would also be helpful to secure potential access points to your unit.

 

Rodents

While not as prevalent as cockroaches, rodents have also been known to find their homes in condominium buildings. One of the main reasons why rats can sometimes find their way to your condo is poor pest control, especially during the construction of the building.

When entrances to sewage and other access points aren’t sealed properly, rats can easily squeeze their way inside and multiply — something they have been known to do at a rapid pace. Don’t get a false sense of security just because your unit is several floors up. Rats are good at climbing, and will often do so to find a suitable breeding area away from people and other perceived threats.

Rodents are usually attracted to sources of food, so not tidying up in the kitchen or dining area can make your condo unit vulnerable to rat visits of varying frequency.

 

Termites

Termites might be the last thing you are going to worry about when it comes to condo infestations because buildings and tall structures are made using steel and concrete.

If you know a thing or two about termites, they only eat cellulose (found in wood and paper) and some species come from the soil. These elements aren’t commonly found in a condo, but that does not mean they will not try to infest your unit when given the chance.

Termite swarmers fly to find a mate and suitable breeding ground to start a new termite colony. If these swarmers manage to get inside your condo unit through the window or ventilation system, there’s a real possibility that they can start a colony and consequently an infestation.

If the shared walls or ceilings in your condo are made out of wood or have wooden components, be diligent enough to inspect them every now and then for signs of termites. It would also be helpful if you closed your windows and air vents when you’re out of the unit to minimize the chances of swarmers from getting inside.

 

Key Takeaway

If it cannot be stressed enough, condominiums only offer a marginal increase in protection from pest infestations. Like with cockroaches, condo set-ups can even encourage their procreation and make it a problem for all tenants and residents in a building.

Always be alert and in the worst-case scenario — a full-blown infestation — coordinate with the management so that pest control can be implemented as soon as possible.