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April 25, 2007
Pest Control
I live in a Park Slope coop that has been using an exterminator for a little over a year now. The exterminator comes once a month to take care of the place and since we’ve hired them we haven’t had a problem. I think mice have been the major issue along with the occasional water bug. Any way, we’re currently looking to cut back on expenses and are tempted to try quarterly service. Does anyone have any experience with this? Any horror stories of infestation once you cut back on service? Do you think there is any truth to the theory that you only have to worry about mice entering your home during the winter months? Let me know what you think. Thanks all.
Comments
Mice tend to be more of a problem during the fall, when they tend to look for refuge. You can control mice by finding areas where mice can get in and filling with steel wool and caulking around all holes made for plumbing. Another back up is Rat Zapper which has been discussed at length on this board. The waterbugs (roaches and ants too) are worse in the spring and summer. But you can save by buying your own insecticide and spraying yourself. You need to be more vigilant during this season, but unless you are dealing with an infestation of some sort, you should be able to keep things under control with that (assuming basic cleanliness of building occupants...).
Posted by: Anonymous at April 25, 2007 6:51 PM
Assuming your building is kept clean, why would you need to douse the joint with toxic chemicals on a monthly basis, or even quarterly? Who does that? That would freak me out more than bugs or mice. I mean, are there children living in your building-and have you had their IQ tested lately? Get a cat, already.
Posted by: bob999 at April 25, 2007 10:13 PM
I am in a small co-op. We cut back from once a month to once every two months. The guy comes and puts glue traps and spays in the basement. He knocks on apartment doors and treats whoever wants their apt. done. I personally do not have them do my place. We do not have any problems with mice, aside from an occasional one. Water bugs, yes. I sealed up with steel wool entrance to my place. Plugged up holes around the building. Door sweep on my door as well. And we keep the basement clean. That had lot to do with it I think. We had a piles of junk leftover from the sponser. Once that was gone, less bugs. You'll be fine with quartly or do every two months like I do.
Posted by: Alisa at April 25, 2007 10:35 PM
I exterminate four times a year in two four families I own. About the third month, tenants start to notice pests coming back.
Posted by: Anonymous at April 26, 2007 5:49 PM
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