It’s that time of year again, back to school! Dorm rooms are all coming alive with new people and fresh ideas. It is inevitable that some pests will make their way into your dorm room too. Dorms are a prime place for bed bugs, rodents, spiders, and many other pests because they offer the perfect environments for these pests to thrive in close quarters with many people living together. It is because of this that dorm room pest control is a necessity and it is important to take steps against them before they become an issue.
DIY Dorm Room Pest Control
While it is always important to have pest control professionals perform quarterly pest control services on dorms and other campus buildings. There are a few things you can do to help prevent pests from finding their way into the building in the first place. Some examples of these DIY dorm room pest control methods include:
1. Vacuuming and Dusting
Vacuuming can help remove droppings from carpeting or floorboards where mice may have traveled or dust mites might be lurking on furniture surfaces. Dust mites are microscopic creatures that feed on skin cells shed by humans and animals so making sure to vacuum regularly will help to ensure there isn’t anything for these mites to feed on. Dusting and vacuuming will also help to eliminate insect webbing and eggs and larvae that are too small to see making this essential for dorm room pest control.
2. Don't Leave Food Out
Dorm rooms are well known for their community kitchens, don’t let them become an attraction to pests. Make sure you clean up after yourself and never leave food out – even if it is just a snack – this will attract pests like ants or mice who can smell the crumbs from far away.
3. Keep all Food in Sealed Containers
Dorm room fridges are small and can quickly become cluttered. So it is important to take the time to store all food in sealed containers to help prevent rodents or ants from getting into the food that is left out on the countertop. These pests can easily detect food and mice and other rodents can even chew through cheaper food storage containers so making sure your leftovers and food are properly stored is essential for dorm room pest control.
4. Check Window Screens for Tears and Holes
If your dorm room has windows, make sure you check the window screens for any tears or holes. Dorm rooms can experience extreme weather fluctuations which can cause these window screens to become weak and tear over time. If there is a hole in the screen it will provide an entry point for pests like flies or mosquitoes that may be looking for food or a nesting spot. If you think that your window screen needs replacing make sure to notify your RA (resident assistant) or your maintenance staff to ensure you are taking the proper precautions for dorm room pest control.
5. Pick up Clutter
Dorm rooms are compact. If you have extra clothes or books lying around on the floor, these can become a breeding ground for pests like mice who may want to make your dorm room their home too. In order to survive pests need water, food, and shelter and your dorm room can provide all of the essentials that they need. Pests like cockroaches thrive in places where there are a lot of places for them to hide. So leaving clothes, discarded paper, books, and shoes scattered across your dorm room floor will provide plenty of options for shelter for these pests so keeping your dorm room clean is essential for dorm room pest control.
6. Wash and Dry Dirty Dishes
Mice are not picky eaters. They have been known to feed on leftover food on dirty dishes so make sure you wash and dry your plates, cups, silverware when you’re done eating or washing the dishes right away will help prevent mice from wanting to come into contact with your leftovers. Drying these items means that mice won’t be able to get water from the dishes either. Drying dishes is essential for dorm room pest control because it will help prevent these little rodents from coming into contact with your dirty plates and cutlery which can result in an unhygienic living space that is not only unpleasant but also makes you vulnerable to contracting a rodent-borne illness. Dorm room pest control is essential for a clean and healthy living space that will help you to stay safe from these microscopic creatures that can cause serious health complications if contracted.
7. Get Rid of Moisture and Standing Water
Pests like mice and cockroaches need a source of moisture to survive. Dorm rooms can experience their fair share of spills, leaks from plumbing issues, or even accidental over-flowing the sink during your morning routine so it’s important that you clean up any standing water as soon as possible. Porous materials may also retain a lot of moisture so it’s important to make sure you clean up any spills or leaks as soon as possible. If you happen to notice a leaky faucet or pipe make sure to alert your RA and maintenance staff to help with your dorm room pest control efforts.
8. Take out the Trash
Taking out the trash is one of the simplest things you can do to help with dorm room pest control. Dorm rooms are not typically equipped with a full-size garbage bin so try taking your trash bag outside each day to keep it away from pests like mice who may be looking for food or nesting material in your living space. Dining halls and gyms on campus typically have larger garbage bins and bags that you can use when necessary. Dorm rooms may also provide a smaller trash bin in the room but filling it to the brim is an open invitation for rodents like mice or rats who will consider your dorm space their next meal ticket if they smell food lingering around! Dorm room pest control means keeping your living space as hygienic and sanitary as possible so taking out the trash is critical to preventing these pests from making a home in your dorm room.
Let our Team at Sigma Pest Help with Your Dorm Room Pest Control
Students who are looking to improve the cleanliness of their dorm rooms and prevent pest infestation should be sure to take the time to follow the above steps. However, doing these things may not be enough which means that it is important to invest in professional pest control services. Don’t let your living space become overrun with pests by taking action today! Dorm room pest control isn’t hard when you know what steps to take and our team at Sigma Pest Control is here to help with all of your Dorm Room Pest Control needs in a quick and efficient manner! Contact us today for more information about our pest control packages!
