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Living in New York City is like living in the concrete jungle. This city is home to millions of people but also to the unwelcome guests that are; creepy crawlies and all – and isn't exactly ideal. The pest infestation has been a severe problem in the city and its neighborhood potentially damaging and creating problems for many property owners and affecting businesses too. Here in this blog, we are going to explore the diversified eco-friendly pest control solutions and how they will protect your home and business from pests. Not just that, we will also delve into learning its benefits and about Integrated Pest Management (IPM). So, without further ado, let's get started;
The eco-friendly pest control methods refer to the methods of removing pests without risking the environmental aspect as well as no use of harsh chemicals that pose health risks to people and pets. That is why choosing the eco-friendly pest control offers a smarter approach;
Here's how it benefits everyone:
Safer for You and Your Family: Eco-friendly products commonly leverage natural ingredients or products that have low-toxicity alternatives. This leads to minimizing the risk of exposure to harmful chemicals. This is especially important for families with young children or pets.
Protects the Environment: It is obvious that the use of harsh chemicals potentially pollutes water sources and harms beneficial insects like ladybugs and bees. That is why professional pest control solutions are essential as they reduce the impact, promoting a healthier ecosystem for everyone.
Just as Effective: It is clinically proven that they are as effective as traditional ones when implemented correctly. They may take a slightly different approach, but the results are just as satisfying – a pest-free home or business.
Smart Solutions for a Big City
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is the core aspect that needs to be taken into account. Here's the breakdown of how they can be helpful in the modern-day age:
Prevention is key: IPM is about preventing pests from entering your space in the first place. This involves cricks and gaps in walls and around windows, storing food properly, and eliminating potential sources of moisture that attract pests.
Natural Repellents: In NYC, residents are increasingly turning to natural remedies for pest control, embracing eco-friendly solutions. By utilizing essential oils like peppermint and cedarwood as repellents, these methods effectively ward off common pests without harming the environment.
Additionally, tailored eco-friendly trap bait stations can be employed to target specific pests and minimize environmental impact. Whether in Brooklyn brownstones or Manhattan high-rises, these green approaches are creating a healthier city for all.
The Future is Green (and Innovative!)
New advancements in technology continually enhance the effectiveness of environmentally friendly pest control methods. Let's explore a few examples:
Natural Control Solutions: These groundbreaking products utilize organic compounds sourced from plants or microorganisms to precisely target and eliminate pests. They offer high efficacy, safety, and rapid decomposition in the environment.
Intelligent Pest Monitoring Systems: Picture traps that can alert you whenever they detect pest activities like the presence of rats, mice, bed bugs, or cockroaches! These sophisticated systems enable focused pest management while reducing the unnecessary use of products.
Contact Positive Pest Management for a Pest-free Future
Choose eco-friendly pest control to protect NYC's vibrant environment. By contacting us and leveraging our best-in-class pest exterminator services you can have pest-free space. Don't wait for infestations to escalate—be proactive! Contact Positive Pest Management at 1-800-294-3130 or visit our website for tailored solutions and compliance with city regulations.
New York City is a place of vibrant diversity, not only in its culture but also in its weather patterns. The city experiences a vivid array of seasonal shifts, from the icy winter winds to the scorching summer heat. These ever-changing weather conditions significantly impact the behavior, activities, and prevalence of pests in our urban environment. Understanding and adapting pest control strategies to these seasonal variations is crucial for effective pest management and prevention.
Winter: The Cold Invasion
Seeking Shelter from the Cold
As the temperature drops, pests such as rodents, cockroaches, and some species of ants seek shelter indoors to escape the cold. Buildings, homes, and subways provide warmth and a plentiful food source, making them ideal havens for pests.
Adapted Strategies
During winter, focus on sealing entry points, such as cracks, holes, and gaps in walls, doors, and windows. Ensure that food sources are limited by properly sealing and storing food items and managing waste effectively.
Spring: The Awakening
A Time of Activity
Spring brings a resurgence of pest activity as temperatures rise and food sources become more abundant. Pests such as ants, flies, and rodents become more visible, and the first signs of termite activity may appear.
Adapted Strategies
Spring is the time to conduct thorough inspections, identifying potential breeding sites and entry points. Consider implementing preventive measures such as baits, traps, and insecticide barriers.
Summer: The Peak of Infestations
Thriving in Warmth
Summer provides optimal conditions for a multitude of pests. Mosquitoes, flies, bees, and wasps are prevalent outdoors, while cockroaches and rodents continue to be nuisances indoors.
Adapted Strategies
Focus on outdoor pest control measures, such as managing standing water to prevent mosquito breeding and ensuring that windows and doors are properly screened. Regularly inspect and maintain outdoor garbage disposal areas.
Fall: The Preparation
Seeking Refuge for Winter
Fall sees pests preparing for the colder months ahead. Rodents, in particular, may start seeking shelter indoors, and insect activity may still be high.
Adapted Strategies
Fall is the time to prepare for the winter invasion. Focus on exclusion techniques, repairing screens, and sealing entry points. Conduct a thorough inspection to identify and manage potential nesting sites.
Adaptive Pest Control for Every Season
Effective pest control is a dynamic process that requires adaptation to the changing seasons and their unique challenges. At Positive Pest Management, we specialize in providing tailored pest control strategies that meet the specific demands of each season, ensuring that your environment remains pest-free all year round.
Ready to safeguard your space against seasonal pest invasions? Contact Positive Pest Management at 800-294-3130 for expert guidance and effective pest control solutions tailored to New York City’s varied climates.
With its dense urban landscape and constant influx of goods and people, New York City is no stranger to pest challenges. While the city has long battled familiar foes like rats and cockroaches, emerging pest threats add a new dimension to the challenge. NYC faces a dynamic and evolving pest landscape from invasive species to resurgent pest populations. This post will explore these emerging threats and provide insights into preventive measures and professional solutions.
The New Faces of NYC's Pest Scene
As global travel and trade increase, so does the risk of introducing non-native species to new environments. In NYC, this has led to the arrival of several invasive pests that threaten to disrupt the local ecosystem.
1. The Spotted Lanternfly
Originally from Asia, the Spotted Lanternfly has made its way to the East Coast, including parts of New York. While not a direct threat to humans, they can cause significant damage to trees and crops.
2. Asian Long-Horned Beetle
Another invasive species from Asia, the Asian Long-Horned Beetle, threatens hardwood trees in the city. Their larvae bore into tree trunks, weakening and eventually killing the tree.
3. Resurging Bed Bug Populations
While not a new pest, bed bugs have seen a resurgence in recent years. These tiny pests can infest homes, hotels, and public transportation, leading to discomfort and potential allergic reactions.
Proactive Measures Against Emerging Threats
1. Regular Monitoring and Inspections
Routine inspections of properties can help identify pest problems early, allowing for timely intervention.
2. Educate and Inform
Awareness is a powerful tool. Building owners and managers should keep themselves and their tenants informed about potential pest threats and preventive measures.
3. Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
IPM is a holistic approach to pest control that combines preventive measures with targeted treatments, ensuring minimal environmental impact.
Positive Pest Management: Your Ally Against Emerging Threats
At Positive Pest Management, we understand the unique challenges posed by NYC's evolving pest landscape. We work closely with building owners, management companies, and contractors to ensure properties remain pest-free and compliant with NYC's stringent anti-rodent regulations.
Our team stays updated on the latest pest trends, ensuring we're always ready to tackle familiar and emerging threats. With our expertise and commitment, you can trust us to keep your properties safe and compliant.
Ready to safeguard your property against emerging pest threats? Don't wait for an infestation to take hold. Dive deeper into our insights on our website or contact us directly at 1-800-294-3130. If you have specific concerns or need tailored solutions, our contact form is the quickest way to contact our experts.
In the ever-changing world of pests in New York City, staying proactive and informed is key. With Positive Pest Management by your side, you can confidently navigate these challenges.
Image how you would feel if you had an irritating itch that wouldn't go away. Maybe you have more than one with a small rash, and over a few days, they start to multiply. You don't see any apparent cause. It's not dry skin, not itchy clothing. You begin to reason that maybe it's an insect bite, but from what? Looking around, you see there is no obvious sign of any insect infestation.
Most people don't know this, but the tiny and hard to detect bird mite is known to bite humans. Mite infested animals such as rodents and birds often find refuge in manmade shelters. Outside you may see birds roosting on window sills or a single rat scurrying along a rooftop and hiding in crawlspaces, and it all seems innocent enough.
What if it wasn't that simple? What if the birds and rats brought friends? Insects are opportunistic creatures, to begin with, but birds and rodents often carry parasites.
[A parasite is an organism that lives on or in a host (plant or animal) and gets its food from or at the expense of its host.]
What happens if the birds or rodents leave and their little "friends" stay behind? Well, what happens is that these parasites find in a new host. In a pinch, any mammal will do. Experts tell us that bird or rat mites can survive without primary hosts for six weeks or longer, feeding incidentally on humans and their pets that entire time, often causing red itchy welts.
This means that while humans aren't the ideal substitute for these parasites, but they will "make due" with us until they find a perfect host or die. For the parasite, it's life and death. For us Humans, it is a major annoyance.
We can now see how mites will infest our homes, and it is easy to imagine the psychological stress when bites cause mysterious rashes on the skin. To help catch the mites and determine what kind of pest you have in your home, you can use sticky traps and glue boards placed at floor-to-wall locations. After some time has passed, look at the traps with a 10x hand lens to see if you've caught anything.
Biting mites are a yellowish whitish color until they feed, then they are a dark red color. Think about what areas of the house you are getting bit the most. Those areas could be where they are hiding, and there is a possibility you or a pest control specialist may see them in action. You can preserve them in ethanol or rubbing alcohol so that a proper identification can be done by a specialist.
Once the mite species have been confirmed, you can figure out the procedure needed to remove the hosts and their nests. Mites cannot use humans to reproduce, so when the initial hosts have been removed completely, the mites will slowly start to die off. Slowly dying could mean six weeks or more if they are still feeding on humans and pets. It's best to seal off any entry points of where the nest was to prevent more mites coming in. Vacuuming regularly and cleaning all surfaces will help kill off the wandering mites. It also may be helpful to pull beds away from the walls. The mites are soft-bodied arthropods, which means they are vulnerable to contact insecticides like oils and soaps. These can provide a short term repellency. Residual insecticides may be effective as well and should be applied in suspected areas where bites occur and where the mite sources may be. It's important to know that unless the host is removed, the insecticides will not solve the mite problem at hand.
Pests, bugs, and other critters are essential to our ecosystem but are rarely welcome inside our homes because of the pesky damage they cause. Most homeowners either try to fix their pest problem with DIY methods or hire experts like pest control companies and professional exterminators.
So what is the difference between pest control and exterminators? Although pest control and exterminators both share a common goal in removing pests from our living spaces and working areas, pest control focuses more on effective, environmentally-friendly long term solutions to remove pests. On the other hand, exterminators are more likely to utilize chemicals to kill pests - which may only work temporarily.
Pest Control vs Extermination: What Makes Them Different
When you have insects crawling around your home or a rat infestation at your workplace, one of the first things you might think about is hiring an exterminator. A pest exterminator and pest control professionals are often confused for each other because their goals are essentially the same, but the way they achieve these goals is very different.
Years ago, hiring an exterminator was considered the most efficient way to solve pest problems. An exterminator would arrive at your home, spray chemicals like pesticides, and clean up the dead bugs that appear.
This process tends to be chemically invasive and requires homeowners to be outside their house for hours. The results aren’t also very consistent: sometimes the chemical treatments work, sometimes they don't. In other cases, the pests still return after a while.
There was also a growing concern over the impact of extermination on our environment. The idea behind extermination is to destroy something completely. As much as we dislike having unwanted pests and bugs inside our homes, they do have important roles to play in our planet’s ecology. Once we became aware of this, more professional pest control companies began to offer their services.
Instead of killing off all the bugs and rodents, pest control professionals work to keep pests away from our homes instead. They focus on why the pests are present in the first place and how they can alter these conditions to drive them away. If chemicals are necessary, pest control professionals may use milder, environmentally-friendly products that are safe for humans and pets alike.
Pest control services take a lot of time to fully understand the problem, the whys and hows. Compared to exterminators that focus on killing the pest problems right now, pest control companies are more future-oriented. They aim to eliminate the pests for good to ensure they don’t return or multiply.
Extermination
Pest Control
Relies on toxic materials to kill unwanted pests
Figures out precise ways to eliminate specific pests and prevent them from returning
Aims to kill pests without addressing the root of the problem
Uses effective chemicals that are less harmful to humans and pets
Provides a temporary solution to a potentially long-term issue
Manages pest infestations through prevention and long-lasting solutions
What To Expect From A Pest Control Visit
It’s important to keep your home and workspaces free of pests and vermin. Aside from being nuisances, they can cause damages to your property and harm your health. Pest control is one of the best ways to deal with them.
As noted earlier, the major difference between pest control and exterminator services is that pest control takes a look at the type of pest before deciding on a course of action. This means that pest control services are not one-size-fits-all. If you’re considering hiring a pest control company, here are some of the things you can generally expect:
Inspecting entry points: Entry areas such as pipes, windows, doors, garages, attics, and crawl spaces are how pests and rodents enter the home. This is one of most important and time-consuming parts of pest control, as the pest control expert has to look for cracks, hidden spaces, and tiny entrances.
Examining the yard: If you’re living in an area that has a yard or is close to an outdoor space, pest control services will check these spots as well. These spaces may lead to future problems so your pest control has to prevent these as well.
Creating a report: Expect your pest control professional to take some time while putting together their findings. They have to go through all the information systematically to create a plan for your future treatments.
Discussing the pest control issue: Finally, your pest control provider will discuss their findings with you so you know exactly what is going on in your property. They discuss the necessary actions that need to be taken to fix the current problem and prevent future ones. If you have any questions, this is the ideal time to bring them up. Maybe you are a homeowner who is concerned about setting up precautions for your pets or you’re wondering if you need to do any follow-up care on your own.
What To Expect From An Exterminator Visit
For people who are looking for convenience when resolving their pest issue, they might prefer to hire exterminators. Compared to pest control operators, an exterminator would approach the problem through pest elimination.
The difference between extermination and pest control is that exterminators are more likely to suggest fumigation or using a spray hose and chemicals to kill the pests. If you have never called an exterminator before, here are some things you may expect to be part of the experience:
Investigating the infestation: Your exterminator will need to know where all the pest sightings throughout your home have happened so they can identify entry points and hiding areas. They may also assess the physical damage such as chew marks, tunnels, nests, moisture build-up, or grease stains. Be on guard at this stage, in case the technician uses scare tactics to try and sell other home repair services.
Reviewing the infestation: The exterminator will review and report all the damages to you as well as the extent of the infestation. They may discuss possible solutions to help with the pest control, prepare several quotes on their services, and recommend the next steps to take.
Preparing your home: Unlike pest control which offers solutions for target spaces, extermination usually covers a wider area. Once you have settled on a service, you should begin preparing your property by moving your furniture away from the walls and covering all surfaces. This will help the exterminator access the nooks and crannies of your home easily.
Caring for your pets: If you’re a homeowner, prepare a comfortable space for pets outside or drop them off with someone you trust. Some pest control products may cause adverse effects on pets. It’s important to ask your exterminator for a time when your pets can return home.
13 Things To Consider When Choosing Between Pest Control vs Extermination
It’s usually much better to hire an expert than to try DIY-ing something by yourself, especially when dealing with pests. This is especially true if the infestation has gotten out of control, the pest problem is ongoing, or the products you need can only be used by a certified professional.
If you’re in dire need of a pest control professional or exterminator to help resolve pest problems in your home, here are some things you should consider when choosing between a pest control vs extermination company you need to hire:
Reputation: The pest management company must be reputable to protect your property and protect yourself against any liabilities. Visit the company website and do your research to see if the company is bonded and insured. If possible, ask them questions to see exactly how professional and knowledgeable they are.
Technicians: Don’t immediately allow the pest control provider to enter your home. Check first to see if their identification, license, and certification are current. Most states require technicians to be certified and that they attend the annual training to update their license.
Expertise: When you ask questions, the pest technician or sales rep should be able to give a knowledgeable answer. If there is a question they can’t answer immediately, they should say outright that they don’t know but are willing to find out. This is much better than being given wrong answers.
Appearance: Pest technicians should come to your house with a clean overall appearance. They should arrive in their uniforms and their truck, equipment, and chemicals should look professional.
Trust: As pest management professionals will be coming in and out of your home, trust is very important. Raise any concerns if you’re feeling trust issues immediately. Many women also have difficulty feeling comfortable with men coming into their home, so ask the pest control operator to see if they have any women on their staff to work with you.
References: Neighbors and friends may be able to refer you to professional pest extermination or control services. You can also check your state’s pest control association for a list of providers.
Consultation: Depending on the site inspector, they should make recommendations for future prevention before, during, or after the service. They should provide adequate information and maintenance recommendations for your home, such as screen replacement or hole repairs.
Price: Keep in mind that the lowest price is not always the best deal. You may find a company that promises to solve your pest problem for a low price, but you won’t save any money if they don’t get the job done right the first time. Always remember that if something is too good to be true, it probably is.
Contracts: When hiring a pest control operator or exterminator, you have to discuss all your options with the pest technician or sales rep. Will quarterly service be enough to solve the problem or will you need monthly visits? Figure out the best maintenance schedule that works for you and clarify all questions before you sign off on a contract.
Chemicals: Many cases require the use of chemicals for pest eradication, but your pest technician should be willing to discuss the chemicals they plan to use, non-chemical options, and possible effects on human health. The chemicals should also be properly labelled and have a clean appearance.
Services: Before performing any service, your pest technician should discuss the problem with you thoroughly. They should ask questions until they fully understand the issue, then inspect your property to identify the pest and come up with a treatment plan.
Documentation: Qualified pest technicians should provide a detailed report after completing a service. It should contain necessary follow-up actions, service costs, and any customer advice.
Guarantee: Although many companies in the pest control industry offer guarantees, there could always be a fine print you should be aware of. Familiarize yourself with what your responsibilities are and how to invoke the guarantee when necessary.
Positive Pest Management: NYC’s Pest Experts
If you’re looking for a cost-effective way to get rid of termites, bed bugs, carpenter ants, roaches, rats, and other pests, look no further than Positive Pest Management.
Positive Pest Management is a full service pest control company serving the New York and Long Island areas. As a pest control service, we are experienced in figuring out long-term solutions to keep pests out of commercial, residential, and industrial properties. We guarantee quick and quality extermination work for all our clients. Schedule a consultation with us today.
New York City has developed a reputation for pest problems such as a large population of rats, cockroaches, and other pest infestations. Pest control companies and bug extermination services are in high demand among the residents living within the NYC zip code.
So how much does it cost to hire an exterminator in New York? The typical starting cost to hire an exterminator in New York ranges from $90 - $150. This price usually covers the initial assessment: finding the nest, identifying the entry points, and drafting a contract for the following visits. The overall cost will also depend on the frequency of the service, the size of the property, and the type of pest that needs addressing.
The Cost of Hiring An Exterminator in NYC
The national average cost of hiring an exterminator is around $170. It can range between $110 - $260 depending on the problem and go as high as $500. In NYC, the starting cost may range from $90 - $150 for the initial consultation and assessment.
The average cost of NY pest control services is around $250. To fully get rid of an infestation, you may also be looking at a cost of over $600. Although these prices may seem exorbitant at first, the price of an unresolved pest problem is much higher. To put things into perspective:
Wood-boring insects such as termites and carpenter ants can cause a lot of damages on the structure of your home. These pests can cost thousands of dollars in damages, make your home unlivable, and cost you more in repairs.
Stinging and biting insects like bed bugs can cause mild pain when they attack, while more dangerous ones such as scorpions, black widows, and fire ants can do more harm. Even if you are able to avoid them, young children and pets may not.
Many household pests, insects, and rodents carry diseases and may even contaminate food. Businesses such as restaurants and fast food chains should be especially proactive against these threats.
You may be asking yourself, ‘Would I save more money if I choose one time pest control over quarterly pest control?’, or ‘What is the difference between the pest control cost for bed bug extermination versus the cost of cockroach extermination?
There are many factors that affect how much pest control measures cost. The type of property, type of pest, type of service, and other considerations are part of the overall computation.
Type of Property
Prices for homeowners and tenants are usually lower compared to office buildings, shopping areas, apartment complexes, industrial buildings, and other large spaces. The size of your home, commercial area, or industrial space influences the cost.
Pest control for a 3000 sq. ft. home would cost more than a 1500 sq. ft. apartment because larger homes need more protection and more products. Some exterminators may charge an extra $25 for every additional 1000 sq. ft. over 1500.
Type of Pest
Pest control costs depend largely on the type of treatments needed, which depend on the type of pest you have. Common pests that wreak havoc in NYC include:
Bed bugs
Ants
Mice
Rats
Flies
Fleas
Beetles
Mosquitos
Termites
Moths
Squirrels
Birds
Opossums
While some pests are just pests, others cause much more damage. A bed bug infestation is notoriously tricky to resolve, even by the most experienced bug extermination team. A single bed bug can survive in your furniture, your bedding, and in the cracks of your baseboards. Their bites hurt and they’re hard to exterminate quickly, so cases like this cost more.
Type of Services
While the type of service largely depends on what kind of infestation you have going on, it may also be a question of frequency. You may need a one-time service or multiple visits where you pay a monthly or quarterly fee. The average costs will depend on your provider’s pricing model:
One Time Insect Removal
A one time bug extermination or pest removal is usually the simplest contract available. The pest control company will visit your property, conduct an inspection, then proceed to eliminate the pests based on the appropriate treatment. Because this process takes some time, the cost estimates will be higher compared to quarterly follow up sessions.
Monthly Pest Control
Monthly pest control is the most affordable way to exterminate pests and protect your property against them. It’s easier to dole out payments in smaller amounts and you ensure that your property is protected all year round.
Emergency Pest Control Services
Pest control services may be needed for emergency situations such as a sudden rodent infestation at a restaurant or a raccoon invasion at home. For emergency assistance, the pricing may cost more.
Exclusion Services
Preventive measures like exclusion services help people prevent pests from entering their homes and businesses. Exclusion services are designed to search your property for any weak spots, entrance points, or hiding places then sealing these off immediately.
Bed Bug Removal
Bed bugs represent a unique and difficult challenge, which is why most pest control companies charge extra for treatment. A bed bug is good at hiding, hard to kill, and requires special handling to eliminate completely. Expect to pay higher costs if you have a large bed bug infestation.
Regular Pest Control and Maintenance
Certain pests have high reproduction rates that require regular treatment and maintenance because total removal is impossible. A single female mouse, for instance, can produce 5 to 10 litters per year - which leads to one family of mice producing anywhere between 300 to 720 offspring a year. Cockroaches are similarly pesky. Because these pest types reproduce quickly, it’s unlikely that a one-time removal will do the trick.
Others Considerations
Although these factors may not be applied to every pest removal case, the labor, equipment, and supplies that are needed to address a pest infestation may affect the prices of the pest removal or bug extermination service you require:
Labor: Depending on the type of infestation and your specific instructions, the pest control professional will need to tailor the treatment accordingly. They may use bait, chemical sprays, kill traps, catch-and-release traps, drill-and-dust, fumigation, or heat treatment - or even a combination or techniques.
Supplies: Supplies such as baits, traps, pesticides, dusters, foamers, and sprayers are usually included in the overall pest control prices you are quoted for. Eco-friendly supplies usually cost more so be sure to ask your exterminator about charges for those.
Equipment: Some special pest removal tools and exterminator equipment may be brought in for the extermination process. Safety gear such as coveralls, goggles, gloves, and breathing masks are required.
Tips On Getting The Best Price For NYC Pest Control
DIY pest removal is rarely effective in addressing the source of the problem and preventing further infestation. In many cases, pesticides and mouse traps don’t really do the trick against all sorts of wildlife like bed bugs, fleas, ticks, wasps, and other small animals. When the pests get out of hand, you definitely need to call a pest control service.
However, hiring professional pest control specialists isn’t free. You can easily spend hundreds of dollars on bug extermination costs. It’s important to be familiar with how pest control services work and how much their treatment prices cost. Here are a few tips to make sure you’re not overpaying or underpaying for your pest control:
Your location affects the cost: Pest control prices don’t vary greatly depending on geographic location since pest companies operate in a standard service area. If you live outside the service area, however, you may expect some additional fees to cover travel fees, additional time, and transportation costs.
You can shop around for quotations: Aside from looking at reviews and asking around for referrals, many pest control service providers offer free, onsite quotes for their services. You can easily consult and ask for bids from several exterminators before you make a decision.
Your neighbors should be informed: Pest control treatment is more effective if your neighbors are onboard as well. Cockroach, rodent, and bedbug infestations can spread from one apartment or condo to the next, so the people living near you should be on their guard too. You can even ask for a group discount if you all request for treatment.
Some deals are too good to be true: Unrealistic deals, special home repair or gardening packages, cheap retreatments -- these are warning signs of a not-so-scrupulous pest control company. Retreatments are usually free under a company’s service guarantee while packages and deals are ways to pressure you into buying before you do your research.
You should ask a lot of questions: Don’t be the kind of person who signs up for a year-long contract with an exterminator or pest control company without an in-depth discussion about your pest problems. By asking questions, you can be sure that your pest control service provider knows what needs to be done and can actually fix the issue. Ask them first how they plan to eliminate the pests; if you’re not impressed by their action plan, at least you would know this before signing the contract.
Say Goodbye To Pests For Good With Positive Pest Management
Positive Pest Management is one of the leading pest control companies serving the New York and Lower Westchester County areas. We make sure to provide high quality pest control services for competitive prices. For 20 years we have satisfied our clients with our treatment methods and skilled workers.
Whether you’re dealing with a bed bug infestation in your home or fighting with rodents in your office, we’re the pros that can meet your unique and specific needs. Get a quote from us today.
When pests invade your home, it’s only natural to contact exterminators. However, people in a rental situation usually find themselves asking who will be responsible for pest control because they do not legally own the apartment.
So is it part of the landlord’s responsibility to take care of pest control measures? In New York City, it is the landlord’s duty to provide the tenants with a habitable home that is free of pests and other health hazards. But tenants should also play their part in keeping the unit clean to prevent attracting indoor allergens.
Pest Control Responsibilities for Landlords in NYC
New York City is the third most pest-infested city in the country right after Philadelphia and Boston. In 2015, around 15% of the residential areas in the city reported rat infestations and 16% complained about cockroaches. The pest situation is so severe that in 2017, the city mayor declared war against rodents with a $32 million plan to decrease the rodent population in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Bronx.
According to New York state laws, the landlord must provide their tenants with a pest-free home. The appearance of rats, mice, roaches, and molds inside the tenant’s apartment or in the common area can result in a Class C violation under the Local Law 55 of 2018. Similarly, the landlord is also required to take care of bed bug removal in a unit.
Here is the owner’s list of responsibilities according to both state laws:
Pests
In New York City, owners are expected to:
Perform annual inspections to check the presence of indoor allergen hazards such as mice, rats, molds, and cockroaches in the rental units.
Respond to the complaints filed by the tenants or the Department of Housing Preservation & Development (HPD).
Prepare the unit and make sure it is free of indoor allergens before the new tenant moves in.
Give the tenant a copy of the lease agreement, the Local Law 55 fact sheet, and notice that states the landlord’s duty to keep the apartment pest-free.
Remediate all reported infestations and implement the use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
IPM is defined by the EPA as a comprehensive pest control approach that utilizes effective and environment-friendly methods. It aims to find the best practices to get rid of critters while keeping the least possible damages to the environment, people, and the property. In New York City, IPMs include:
Removing pest wastes, nests, and other debris using HEPA vacuum
Eliminating all points of entry by sealing gaps and cracks inside the apartment with durable materials such as wood, cement, and plaster.
Fixing leaks to prevent water accumulation that can become a source of water for rodents and roaches.
Attaching door sweeps to all entrances leading to the basement, hallways, or outside.
Applying the minimum amount of pesticide required. This should only be performed by a pest professional with a license from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Bed Bugs
Both the Health Code and Housing Maintenance Code requires the building owners to take care of bed bug infestation promptly. They are also required by the state law to hire licensed professionals who will perform an inspection and elimination of the bugs. Landlords are also asked to inform the new tenant of any bed bug infestation history as well as provide them a copy of the Bed Bug Annual Report.
If the property manager refuses to act on the infestation, the tenant can file a complaint online or call 311 – provided that they have given the landlord multiple reports about the incident and enough time to arrange for a pest control service.
Once the HPD receives the complaint, the landlord can be fined for failing to follow the state law. Depending on the severity of the infestation and the duration of the case, tenants may:
Withhold the rent until the problem has been solved
Contact a pest management company and deduct the costs from the next month’s rent
Break the lease
Before doing any of these extra steps, make sure to seek legal advice first so you would know what to do and how strong your case will be.
Pest Control Tips for NYC Landlords
Since it is the landlord who must shoulder all pest management costs, they should also be concerned with the preventive measures. By following these simple tips, building owners can reduce the chance of pest infestation in their property:
Set Up Regular Extermination Schedules – The landlord must schedule regular pest exterminations. Even if there are no pests present at the unit, these should be done as a preventive measure to keep rodents and insects away. It can also stop small problems from progressing into a big issue.
Block Possible Entry Points – Mice and insects can enter the property through the cracks and gaps in the wall. Landlords must seal these crevices inside and outside the building to keep the critters away. For better mice prevention, a mixture of steel wool and caulk will be tougher for the rodents to chew.
Manage the Garbage – Landlords must also ensure that the garbage bins are securely sealed. They should also have enough bins around the property to accommodate all tenants. Place the trash bins as far away from the building as possible to prevent attracting unwanted guests like insects and rodents.
Keep the Property and Common Areas Clean – Pests won’t be attracted to a place if there is no accessible food source. While it’s hard to control what goes on inside the tenants’ units, property managers may vacuum or sweep the common areas to keep it clutter-free. The landlord may also prevent an infestation by keeping the perimeter of the building clean.
Educate the Tenants – Although it is the building owners’ responsibility to prevent rodents and bugs from entering the building, tenants should also play an active part in keeping the place clean and sanitized. Landlords should inform the tenants about proper garbage disposal.
How Should Landlords Deal with Pest Infestation?
One common tenant issue that a landlord might face is dealing with pest complaints. It’s crucial to take care of these problems promptly because it can lead to worse issues such as lawsuits, fines, property damages, and health hazards for everyone in the building. Here is how your landlord should handle the issue:
Address the Complaint – There are two important reasons why landlords should address the complaint immediately. One of these is to keep the tenants happy – satisfied tenants are likely to renew their lease. The other is to protect the property from further damage. Since rodents and insects breed rapidly, they only need a short time to wreak irreparable damages to the building.
Talk to Everyone in the Building – For a residential building with a couple of tenants, talking to everyone can help the landlord gauge how widespread the infestation is. They don’t have to directly ask the tenant if they’ve seen mice or roaches around the building. Instead, they can ask about the tenant’s concerns that need immediate actions. Tenants will usually open up about rodents or bugs if they see one.
Identify the Pest and its Source – After confirming that there is an infestation somewhere in the property, the landlord should identify the pest first before calling in a professional.
Call for Extermination – Although there are home remedies that can get rid of the bugs or rodents, it’s still better to call in an exterminator to prevent the situation from escalating. Pest control providers are skilled and equipped to effectively eliminate pests while minimizing the possible damages.
Positive Pest Management: Reliable Pest Control Services in NYC
For all your rodent issues in the apartment, contact Positive Pest Management now. We provide management services even in the most rodent-infested parts of New York such as the Bronx, Manhattan, and Brooklyn.
By combining low-risk pesticides, rodent exclusion work, traps, and baits, we can guarantee to stop the infestation and prevent it from recurring.
