Orkin Releases New Findings Regarding Pests in Apartment Homes
According to a survey released by pest control company Orkin, recurring pest issues cause 60 percent of apartment renters to look for a new place to live—a finding supported by the National Apartment Association.
Atlanta—According to a survey released by pest control company Orkin, recurring pest issues cause 60 percent of apartment renters to look for a new place to live—a finding supported by the National Apartment Association (NAA). Of apartment renters surveyed, 85 percent have encountered a pest in their apartment in the past 12 months. While bed bugs are the most feared of all pests, flies were sighted most often, followed by ants, cockroaches and rodents. The survey polled apartment renters across the United States.
Additional key survey findings include:
- 94 percent of renters would like to be notified of pest issues in their building.
- 75 percent of renters expect pest issues to be resolved within three days.
- 40 percent of all pest sightings in apartments go unreported to property management; however, more than 60 percent would mention the pest sighting to someone else (friends, family, coworkers, etc.).
- 51 percent of renters are either rarely or never notified of upcoming pest control technician visits.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which employs facility management and sanitation strategies to enhance pest prevention, can play a major role in increasing the efficiency of a pest management plan and appeasing apartment residents’ concerns about pest activity. An IPM approach can help reduce costs for property managers as well.
To help prevent pest activity, property managers should work with a pest management professional to:
- Seal all cracks and crevices on the building exterior, as well as install weather-stripping and screens to help prevent pest entry.
- Maintain landscaping in a way that does not attract pests (e.g. creating an 18-inch buffer between ground shrubs and building exteriors).
- Implement a sanitation plan for dumpsters and common areas on the property.
- Host a training for their staff and provide educational materials to their residents so that all parties understand their role in pest management.
For the full results of the apartment renter survey, visit Orkin.com.