Living in an apartment has its perks: convenience, less maintenance, and, often, a prime location. However, the compact space also means that mess can pile up quickly, and common household pests might see your home as their own. Your apartment’s shared plumbing and ventilation systems also serve as their pathways, with rodents often moving through pipes and ducts. Luckily, with a bit of effort, you can maintain a clean and pest-free apartment. Here are nine effective tips to get you started:
1. Sweep Daily to Prevent Pests
This might seem basic, but it’s incredibly effective. A quick sweep or vacuum every day picks up crumbs, dust, and other debris that attract pests. Pay extra attention to kitchen and dining areas where food particles will most likely accumulate. Also, remember to clean your cleaning tools regularly.
2. Maintain Cleanliness in the Kitchen
The kitchen is the heart of the home and often the epicenter for pest activity. Proper kitchen cleaning using the reminders below can help:
- Wipe down surfaces immediately: Spills, splatters, and crumbs are a feast for ants and cockroaches.
- Don’t leave dirty dishes overnight: Leftovers and food residue in the sink are a big no-no for rodent prevention. It’s like inviting rats to have a nice dinner in your kitchen.
- Empty the trash regularly: This prevents smells that attract flies, rodents and roaches.
- Clean appliances: Food can hide in the nooks and crannies of toasters, microwaves, and ovens, so be sure to inspect them. Also, once in a while, check underneath big appliances, as they serve as hiding places for pests.
Food residues attract pests that can pose health risks by contaminating your supplies with bacteria and pathogens. That’s why regular kitchen maintenance should be a priority when implementing pest control for apartments.
3. Store Food Properly
Now that you deeply understand how food attracts pests, it’s time to be more intentional about how you store them. Check this table:
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If you want to… |
You can… |
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prevent pantry moths and beetles |
Store grains and cereals in airtight glass or plastic containers. |
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deter ants |
Clean up spills immediately and store sugary foods in sealed containers. |
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keep rodents out |
Store food in metal containers or thick plastic bins. |
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protect fruits and vegetables from fruit flies |
Store ripe fruits in the refrigerator and keep a lid on compost bins. |
4. Clean the Bathroom Regularly
The warmth and moisture in bathrooms make them prime breeding grounds for certain critters. To prevent pests in apartments, follow these tips:
- After showers or baths, open a window or run the exhaust fan to reduce humidity.
- Dripping faucets and leaky pipes provide a water source for pests.
- Scrub toilets, sinks, and tubs to prevent mold and mildew, which can attract insects.
Some of the most common bathroom pests are ants, centipedes, roaches, spiders, and silverfish. You wouldn’t want to see them in your most vulnerable state, so make sure to prioritize bathroom cleaning.
5. Declutter and Organize
Regularly declutter and organize your belongings to eliminate hiding spots for pests and make cleaning easier. Keep items off the floor and move them to designated storage areas. Here are a few suggestions:
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Items |
Storage |
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Paper & Office Supplies |
file folders, filing cabinets, desk organizers, mail sorters, binder clips, magazine holders |
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Clothing & Accessories |
closet organizers, shoe racks & organizers, jewelry organizers, drawer dividers |
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Kitchen & Pantry Items |
spice racks, pantry bins & containers, utensil holders & drawer organizers, cabinet organizers |
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Toys & Children’s Items |
toy bins & baskets, bookshelves & book bins, art supply organizers |
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Electronics & Cables |
cable management systems, device charging stations, storage bins & boxes |
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Bathroom Items |
shower caddies, drawer organizers, towel racks & hooks |
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Hobbies & Craft Supplies |
craft storage boxes & drawers, scrapbooking organizers, art supply organizers |
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Garage & Tools |
toolboxes & tool chests, pegboards & hooks, storage shelving units |
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Miscellaneous & General Storage |
multipurpose bins & baskets, under-bed storage, labeling systems |
A neat space contributes to clean apartment living, which will delight you but disappoint pests.
6. Seal the Entry Points of Pests
A simple yet effective step in apartment pest prevention is to seal any entry points you find with expanding foam or caulk. Inspect your apartment for cracks or holes around pipes, windows, and doors.
Pests can squeeze through surprisingly small gaps, so be sure not to miss even the smallest openings.
7. Change Laundry and Bedding Regularly
Dirty laundry can attract moths and other insects, and bed bugs can be introduced to your home through infested bedding or clothing. This is why it’s crucial to wash and dry your clothes and bed sheets regularly.
It’s also wise to check new items for signs of infestation before bringing them inside. Used furniture, cardboard boxes, or even groceries can harbor pests.
8. Use Natural Pest Deterrents
You can use everyday household items to keep various pests at bay:
- Petroleum Jelly and Baby Powder: According to a study, these are more effective at repelling red imported fire ants than cinnamon powder.
- Thyme Essential Oil: Chitosan-encapsulated thyme essential oil, which is effective and safe for household use, is an ingredient to repel fruit flies.
- Herbs and Spices: Common items like turmeric, garlic and cloves can be used to protect stored grains from pests.
These items work by using smells, textures, and chemical properties that pests find unpleasant.
Tip: Combining natural and synthetic pesticides (man-made chemicals) can be a better method for maintaining a pest-free apartment.
9. Contact Professionals When Necessary
If you’ve tried the best ways to clean an apartment and prevent pests but find yourself battling a persistent or recurring infestation, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. Experts in pest control for apartments have the experience, knowledge, and specialized tools to assess the situation accurately and provide effective treatment solutions tailored to your specific pest problem.
Conclusion
Maintaining a pest-free environment in your apartment involves a combination of proactive prevention and diligent cleaning. By knowing how to keep your small apartment clean, you can decrease the likelihood of pest infestations and create a comfortable, hygienic home.
About the Author
Luqman Butter is a certified pest exterminator with over a decade of experience in wildlife removal and pest control in Toronto, Canada. He has had the pleasure of dealing with every pest imaginable, from bed bugs to rats, skunks, snakes and bats. His passion for pest and wildlife control has led him to become a trusted voice in sharing knowledge and information about pest and wildlife control with the mission to educate people on how to deal with various pest issues in the most effective way possible.
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