Bugs like to spend time in areas where they can find water, food, and shelter. Unfortunately, apartment buildings can provide pests with these things. To prevent a bug problem, you need to know what pests are likely to invade your space. We’ve made a list of six bugs that are commonly found in apartments.
1. Ants
These tiny bugs are notorious for marching into apartments. Ants are most active during warmer months, heading indoors in search of food. These pests are likely to be spotted in kitchens, but they can be found anywhere that a food source is present. They are attracted to sweets, grease, and proteins. When they find a good food source, foraging ants release pheromones that alert other ants to their location. As long as they have access to a food source, they will keep returning to your apartment.
2. Cockroaches
Cockroaches can also be seen scurrying around your apartment. They gravitate to bathrooms and kitchens, where moisture and potential food sources are found. Cockroaches will feed on a variety of things including food, pet food, decaying plant matter, trash, and insects. These pests can be a problem year-round. Cockroaches can easily travel between apartments via cracks or holes in walls, utility lines, and pipes. While several cockroach species can infest apartments, German cockroaches are the ones most likely to visit your space.
3. Bed Bugs
The close proximity of units and the coming and going of people allow bed bugs to thrive in apartment buildings. These pests want to be close to their food source—humans—and they can easily move between apartments. Bed bugs are most likely to hide in bedrooms on mattresses, bedding, headboards, and the floor or rug close to the bed. They can also be found on other pieces of furniture, home décor, and fabric items. These pests are often carried into apartments on bags, clothing, luggage, and people.
4. Flies
Houseflies and fruit flies are frequent visitors to apartments. Like the other pests on this list, they head indoors looking for food, often being spotted in kitchens. Odors from trash and food sources can attract them. Fruit flies are drawn to overripe produce, fermented food and drinks, and debris in sink drains. They breed in moist, dark areas such as drains and trash bins. Houseflies are attracted to garbage, crumbs, and spills. They breed in moist, decaying organic material. Flies are most active in spring and summer when temperatures are warmer.
5. Fleas
Fleas are another pest that may make themselves at home in your apartment. These pests require a host to survive, and most species prefer animals. They feed on blood, and their bites can cause itchy bumps on your pets and you. Fleas are often brought into apartments on pets, but they can make their way indoors on people, clothing, bags, luggage, and used furniture. When fleas fall off their host, they can end up in different areas of your apartment. They will hide in carpet, cracks in hardwood or tile flooring, bedding, and furniture.
6. Spiders
Spiders can show up in apartments throughout the year. Species vary in size, shape, and color. Most spiders prefer to hang out in dark, secluded areas where they will build their webs. These arachnids want to be close to their food source—insects—so their presence could be a sign that bugs are hiding in your home. Some spider species are more concerning than others such as the black widow spider and the brown recluse spider. These spiders have venomous bites, but they only bite when they feel threatened.
How to Get Rid of Bugs in Apartments
Keeping your apartment free of pests requires implementing preventative measures and using pest control products.
- Seal Entry Points: Pests can slip in through tiny cracks and gaps, so it’s important to try to seal these openings. Use caulk to seal cracks in walls, window and door frames, or gaps around utility line entry points. Fix loose seals, damaged weather stripping, and tears in screens. You can check with your property manager to see what help they can provide.
- Remove Attractants: If bugs can’t find the resources they need, then they won’t be inclined to stay in your home. Removing sources of food, such as crumbs, spills, and trash, can help to deter pest problems. Keep an eye on your drains, pipes, and appliances to ensure they aren’t clogged or leaking to minimize moisture build-up. Wipe up excess water around sinks, tubs, showers, and pet water bowls.
- Take Precautions When Traveling: People are often exposed to bed bugs while traveling. Taking precautions can help you avoid bringing home these pests. Before settling into your hotel, check for signs of bed bugs on the bed and furniture. Store your luggage off the floor and wash your items as soon as you get home.
- Protect Your Pets: Fleas love to bug your furry friends, so you’ll want to protect them from these pests. Check your pets for fleas after spending time outside. Giving them baths can help to remove fleas. Work with your veterinarian to create a prevention plan that best suits your pet’s needs.
- Contact Your Property Manager: If you discover an infestation in your apartment, you will want to contact your property manager. They can provide you with your next steps and let you know what your lease covers.
- Use Pest Control Products: Plant-based insecticide sprays, baits, and dusts can all help to kick pests out of your apartment. Sprays work well for spot treating the pests you see in your home. For ants and cockroaches, baits work best because they help to target the nest, effectively killing the colony. Dusts provide long-lasting protection against crawling insects and can be applied into cracks and crevices where pests like to hide.
Having uninvited pests stop by your apartment is never any fun. Knowing what pests are likely to invade your space can help you take steps to make your home unwelcoming to them. If you’re dealing with a pest problem, we want to help! Check out our Maggie’s Farm Simply Effective™ Pest Control products.