How To Clean A Vacant Apartment Of Pests: 5 Secrets Unveiled
How do you clean a vacant apartment full of pests? Simple! Just think as an owner and act as an exterminator!
Is that simple? Yes! As the saying goes, “When it comes to pest control, the best offense is a good defense”.
With this simple guide, you can dash the determination to deal with these pesky pests.
But, before that let’s delve into more insights on what pests infest the place, how to find them, and finally how to clean a vacant apartment of pests.
Ready to evict those free stayers? Begin with!
Importance of Cleaning a Vacant Apartment of Pests
Here are a few vital factors for which you need to clean a vacant apartment of pests:
1. Health And Safety
- Prevent Diseases: Pests can carry allergies and diseases that can lead to serious health complications, cleaning a vacant apartment ensures the safety of the occupants.
2. Area Protection
- Avoid Future Damage: Main pests like garage mice and termites can cause significant damage to the property’s aesthetic leading to heavy repair costs. Regular cleaning is the only option.
3. Holding Reputation
- Attract More Tenants: When you maintain the right order of the house, you can attract better tenants, enhancing the rent property’s value in the market.
4. Preventing Infestations
- Contain Pest Spread: Cleaning the nesting grounds of the pests and restricting the food sources can keep the pests away in a recognizable manner.
5. Enchanting Property Value
- Maintain The Value: If you maintain the apartment clean even though it is vacant, you can fetch a better price while selling or for renting.
Suggested Read: How To Get Rid Of Tiny Ants In House: 18 Lightning-Fast Tips.
Common Pests In The Vacant Apartment
1. Cockroaches
- Hard Survivers: They are most commonly found pests in vacant places, they have nesting grounds, especially in the kitchen and the drain pipes.
2. Rodents
- Seek Food & Shelter: Mice and rats are the hard invaders who come in search of food and water and can also damage the furniture and wires.
3. Tiny Ants
- Quickly Progresses: Tiny ants are mainly attracted to food residues and they tend to reproduce very quickly. Acting swiftly can solve this persistent problem.
4. Spider Webs
- Spreading In Home: Spiders often occupy vacant apartments due to disturbed environments, they spread the web all over the house making it look apartment more spooky.
5. Termites
- Causing Structural Damage: Termites are dangerous invaders, where they feed on wood elements and can cause damage to all belongings.
6. Bed Bugs
- Furniture & Carpet Damage: Like termites bedbugs hide in cracks, services, and furniture and can survive without feeding for months together.
7. Silverfish
- Feeding on Paper & Fabrics: They like dark and damp areas, they feed on paper, clothing, and also the materials that have starch.
Suggested Read: How To Keep Spiders Out Of Your Basement: 17 Proven Tactics!
How To Identify The Signs Of Pest Infestation In Apartment
Here are the common sightings you can observe to know the signs of the pest infestation:
1. Dropping And Urine Stains
- Visible Sightings: The first thing you can notice is the small drops all over the apartment and the stains of small water patches from mice or rats.
2. Unpleasant Odors
- Musty or Oily Smells: Pest infestation surely leads to an unpleasant odor, if your home smells like a sewer when you enter this is a strong signal of pest encroachment.
3. Damage to Property
- Gnaw Marks and Holes: If you encounter holes in the walls, furniture, and the gnaw marks all over the space these are the strong indicators of the rodents and the termites.
4. Sighting Of Live Pests
- Visible Infestation: Some pests most often run over the surface like spiders and ants, there are also dead remains which can cause a pungent odor all over your apartment.
Suggested Read: 25 Unique Ways On How To Keep Mice Out Of Garage Naturally!
How To Clean A Vacant Apartment Of Pests: What You Need?
By now, you might have got a quick glimpse over what you are fighting against.
Now! it its time to know what you need to clean your vacant apartment of pests easily:
- Gloves & Mask: Protection in the key, maintain safety while using harsh chemicals and the cleaning liquid.
- Vacuum Cleaner: This helps in removing small debris and also cleans out pest nests.
- Disinfectant Spray: This is vital in sanitizing the surfaces and eliminating the bacteria.
- Pest-Specific Agents: Traps, sprays, and baits all come in this segment for specific targeting.
- Garbage Bags: They are required for disposing the infested items and cleaning up droppings.
- Caulk Or Sealants: These things help in filling up cracks or holes to contain the pests.
Suggested Read: How To Get Blood Out Of Sheets: 15 Special Secrets Unveiled!
How To Clean A Vacant Apartment Of Pests: Time To Clean!
Here is what to follow when you are up to clean a vacant apartment of pests.
1. Start with a Deep Clean
Though it is evident to start with pest control, the first step here is to declutter your house before heading onto the control, For this, here is what to do:
- Vacuum All Floors: You need to pay attention to the corners, baseboards, and also under appliances where there is a chance of dust accumulation.
- Wipe with disinfectant: You need to wipe the surfaces cleanly with the disinfectant like kitchen cabinets, cabinets, bathroom surfaces, and also damp places.
- Remove Any Leftovers: Pests thrive on what we leave behind, so start cleaning any residues and the pest droppings.
Friendly Tip: Make sure you wear mask and gloves while dealing with pests or call a professtional pest controller.
2. Seal Entry Points To Clean Vacant Apartment Of Pests
Most of the pests have their nesting and breeding sites in the cracks and openings. So, it is vital to seal these gaps for the efficiency:
- Seal the cracks in the walls, floor, and window slots with the sealant or caulk
- If you have any gaps in windows and doors install weather stripping to close
- Make sure to check the kitchen vents and utility pipes tightly closed.
Suggested Read: Why Is It Necessary To Clean Vent Hoods For A Safer Kitchen?
3. Target The Pests With the Right Method
By now, you have cleaned and sealed the cracks. Now the next step is to deal with the right methods to avoid the pests:
- For ants: You need to place the ant bait or the borax powder on the nesting grounds to destroy the ant colony.
- For cockroaches: Use roach-killing gel in all areas and make sure you empty the vacuum bag before they escape.
- For rodents: Rat traps are the best to get rid of them, use peanut butter or tomato as bait in the cage.
- For spiders: You can use sticky traps or even the disinfectant spray and even vacuum the webs to reduce their presence.
- For bedbugs: Use termite spray and still the issue persists call an exterminator to eliminate them.
Suggested Read: How To Get Mold Out Of Clothes: 6 Amazing Solutions To Try!
4. Sanitize And Deodorize
After following all the steps above, it is vital to sanitize and deodorize the space.
This final step can help you get away with all the bad odors and also make your apartment feel fresh and welcoming.
How To Clean A Vacant Apartment Of Pests: Prevent Future Infestations
Not only you are up with the present situation, but it is also important to deal with the pests for future control. Here is what you need to follow for that:
1. Maintain Cleanliness
‘Cleanliness is the strong opponent to the pests‘. Make a habit to:
- Regularly vacuum and mop your floors
- Wipe your kitchen counters and home appliances regularly
- Clear the trash and keep the bins air-locked.
2. Store Food Properly
Never miss out on your place with food spillages, this can attract pests in no time.
- Store food in air-tight containers
- Keep pet food sealed and clean right after it spills while eating
- Clean up the crumbs immediately and disinfect them with dish soap.
3. Regularly Inspect for Signs of Pests
‘Regular Inspection is the key for pests’. Catch them early:
- Check for droppings, gnaw marks, or nests
- Inspect the closets, cabinets, and the dark corners
- Act immediately with pest control measures if you find them.
Suggested Read: Does Rubbing Alcohol Kill Mold? The Real Truth Revealed!
Clean A Vacant Apartment Of Pests: Natural Remedies
Here are a few common household items that can deal with pests. They are not only effective but can be strong alternatives to harsh chemicals:
- Cinnamon sticks and coffee grounds can deter and repel ant infestations.
- Cucumber slices keep the cockroaches at bay due to the different taste.
- Vinegar With water can keep the spiders away when sprayed onto them.
- Bay Leaves in the pantry can strictly repel the weevils and the moths.
- Borax with sugar can eliminate the roaches and tiny ants.
Suggested Read: How To Get Rid Of Ground Squirrels: 10 Tricks For Success!
When To Call A Professional To Clean Vacant Apartment Of Pests
When any of the above-mentioned methods won’t work, then it is a strong sign of a severe pest infestation.
In this case, it is recommended to call a professional to remove the pests and safeguard the property.
How To Clean A Vacant Apartment Of Pests: FAQs
1. What Attracts Pests In A Vacant Apartment?
Pests are attracted to food waste, stagnant water, clutter, and dark spots. Poor sanitation and cracks are the major invitees for the pests.
2. How can I tell if a pest infestation is serious?
A serious infestation is when you frequently find pest droppings, noticeable odors, furniture damage, and also DIY tips constantly fail.
3. How often should I clean a vacant apartment to prevent pests?
It is recommended to clean the apartment regularly and deep clean monthly to deal with pest control.
4. How To Clean Pests in Vacant Apartments Fast?
Prioritize the decluttering technique, keep the countertops clean, and disinfect the surfaces periodically. Remove the trash regularly to avoid the formation of mold.
