We want you to choose a quality apartment complex in Joplin that helps you live your best life. From upscale family living to luxury amenities, we have something for everyone in our area.
One thing to look for in an apartment in Joplin, MO, is how well the apartments are maintained. Insect and pest control represent one way to keep your living space in great shape while improving your overall quality of life.
Read our guide to the best insect and pest control practices for your apartment in Joplin, MO.
Allow the Pest Control Team to Spray Every Season
In general, we spray for bugs once a season to prevent infestations. These professional pest control experts will spray to prevent common bugs from taking hold, such as:
- Roaches
- Spiders
- Ants
We will also check on any rodent bait traps in the apartment, such as in the utility room or under the sink. Again, these are designed as deterrents. If you experience a major infestation, call the emergency maintenance number on your lease.
If your family is sensitive to harsh chemicals, let us know. There are alternatives to regularly spraying for pests, which we will discuss later in this guide.
Bait Traps
There are two types of bait traps. There are traps that kill pests using poison and traps that restrain or kill pests. Either method is effective. The type of trap you use is up to you. However, one requires frequent monitoring while the other does not.
Placement of Bait Traps
Position traps in high-traffic areas so that the pests will run into them quickly. Place ant and cockroach bait stations near walls, under sinks, and inside cabinets where insects search for food and water. For rodents, set traps along baseboards, behind appliances, and in corners where they travel. Keeping traps in undisturbed locations increases the chances of success. Pests generally stay in places along walls and in dark places.
Use the Right Bait Traps for the Right Pests
Protein-based baits work well for ants, while sweet gels entice sugar-feeding species. Cockroach baits and ant baits usually contain slow-acting poisons, allowing insects to carry the toxic substance back to their nests, wiping out entire colonies. Rodent poisons work in similar ways, but only on individuals rather than an entire colony.
Keep Children and Pets Safe
Avoid placing bait traps in areas where food preparation occurs or where pets and children might access them. Store-bought enclosed bait stations provide a safer alternative to open traps. Always read and follow manufacturer instructions for optimal safety and performance.
Monitor bait traps frequently and dispose of any dead pests immediately. For cockroaches and ant baits, note whether pest activity decreases over time. If no reduction occurs, adjust placement or switch bait types to target the specific infestation.
Rodent Traps
There are two types of rodent traps available. We highly recommend sturdy plastic or metal live humane catch and release traps. They are generally safer for your family because they are self-enclosed, easy to set up, and can prevent injuries in case a young child or pet gets a hold of the trap.
Use specialized bait, such as dry pellets, to lure the rodent into the trap. These baits are less smelly and easier to handle compared to peanut butter, mayo, or other common baits. Check the trap once every couple of weeks, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions on placement and what bait to use. There is usually an indicator that the trap has been tripped, such as the door is closed or the mechanism has been tripped. Again, the instructions on how to use these traps should be clear.
Professional, reusable rodent traps are fairly inexpensive, anywhere from $10 to $20. When you consider snap traps that can be messy for both setting up the bait and disposing of the rodent’s body, even though they only cost $2 to $4 for a multipack, the convenience of reusable rodent traps is clear. Rather than replacing traps that have been tripped, you can keep the same one or two reusable traps for as long as you need them.
Talk to your maintenance person to discuss options for rodent traps.
Flying Insects
Flying insects, unlike other pests, might be harder to trap or kill. From flies and mosquitoes to bees and wasps, trapping or killing flying insects requires a combination of strategic placement, proper baiting, and regular maintenance.
Identify What You’re Dealing With
Fruit flies gather around overripe produce and sugary spills, while mosquitoes linger near standing water. Sticky traps near windows, drains, and garbage bins catch flies and gnats as they search for food.
Bees and wasps typically don’t like to hang around indoors unless there is a nest nearby, so check for a nest in a tree or just outside of your window or door. Sprays are typically the best way to deal with bees or wasps, but you must use caution with these stinging insects.
Choose the Right Bait or Trap
A cup filled with vinegar mixed with dish soap lures fruit flies, causing them to sink and drown. Ultraviolet light traps, typically placed on your porch or patio, attract mosquitoes and houseflies, electrocuting them upon contact. Homemade sugar-water solutions work well for gnats and other small flying pests. Refresh these traps every couple of days to ensure maximum potency.
Positioning traps in undisturbed locations makes them more efficient. Hanging flypaper near entry points and placing UV light traps in dark corners maximize effectiveness when insects are interrupted on their travel path. For mosquitoes, eliminating standing water sources like plant saucers or clogged drains prevents breeding, which will reduce their numbers naturally. Avoid placing traps too close to food preparation areas like the kitchen or dining room.
Maintaining Flying Insect Traps
Regular maintenance keeps traps functional and prevents secondary infestations. Cleaning UV light traps removes dead insects that might deter new ones from approaching. Replacing sticky traps after gnats or flies cover them will make them continue to be effective. Emptying vinegar or sugar-water traps daily prevents foul odors and bacterial growth.
Of course, there are always fly swatters that can kill flying insects when they rest on a door, window, or wall.
Keep Doors Closed
Window screens are designed to keep insects away from your home while letting fresh air inside. Keeping doors closed, like the main front door and the patio/balcony door, can reduce the chances of flying insects entering your apartment.
If some flying insects get into your dwelling, closing interior doors can trap them in a certain room, like a bedroom or bathroom. This will make it easier for them to kill with a fly swatter or spray.
You love a strong cross-breeze to air out your apartment. Make sure to open windows and not doors because a strong airflow can draw flying insects into your home. So, fresh air is great. Just use caution when opening doors.
Food Disposal and Garbage
Pests can inhabit your dwelling for two main reasons. They’re seeking shelter from the outdoor elements, or they have an abundance of food. Leftover food scraps can attract pests to your apartment.
Garbage Bags and Cans
Insects and rodents might find your garbage a delectable treat. That’s why it’s important to take your trash out to the dumpster promptly rather than let it sit for a few days, especially if there are food scraps in the garbage bag. If you can’t take out the trash right away, make sure to tie off the end of the back securely, especially if it’s warm outside. It’s important to put a garbage bag securely in the can, which makes it easier to take out the garbage while preventing food bits from sticking to the inside of the can.
Occasionally clean your garbage can if there are any dried-out or stuck-on food bits on the inside. Make sure to pick up or sweep up any crumbs on the floor, especially near the kitchen garbage can. Ants might find these scraps of food yummy, and then you’ll have a line of pests going to and from the food source.
Sink Food Disposal
Another thing to be aware of is your sink’s food disposal unit. It’s very handy for grinding up and getting rid of food scraps. However, if there are any small bits of food debris in the disposal, pests might be attracted to it.
Make sure to run the disposal with cold water to remove any food bits inside of it. Once a month, grind citrus peels and ice in the disposal to remove any lingering odors. Consider adding a mesh drain cover on top of the drain holes to catch any food particles before they go into the pipes, and then empty those regularly into your garbage can.
Keep Kitchen Countertops Clean
Your kitchen counters offer a space to prepare healthy meals for you and your family. However, they can also harbor food and odors that could attract pests.
Wipe Down Kitchen Counters
After every meal, make sure to wipe the countertops to clean any leftover food bits. Use a damp paper towel or a cloth towel to gather any food scraps on the countertops. Then, make sure to put the scraps promptly in the kitchen garbage.
Microfiber cloths or disposable wipes collect crumbs and grease effectively, preventing buildup. Scrubbing corners and crevices where food particles accumulate removes tiny scraps you might not easily see.
Use kitchen countertop cleaners, disinfectants, or natural cleansers to remove any residue or debris while also reducing any lingering odors that might attract pests. They’ll also keep your food prep space cleaner for your next meal.
Store Any Food in Tight-Fitting Containers
Kitchen cabinets or a pantry offer great places for storing dry goods. However, sometimes you love having dry ingredients handy on the kitchen counter. Keep these dry, non-perishable food items in tightly sealed containers or plastic zipper bags. Think flour, sugar, dry pasta noodles, and other ingredients.
If you have fresh fruit, consider specialized bags that keep them fresh or a wire basket system that raises them off the counter. These containers are designed to maintain the freshness of non-refrigerated fruits and vegetables while preventing pests from getting to them. Think bananas, potatoes, and apples.
Do Dishes Promptly
Dirty dishes with food bits on them can also attract pests. Try not to leave dishes overnight, so it’s important to do dishes at least once a day. The modern kitchen appliances in your Joplin apartment will certainly help in this regard.
Pre-rinse dishes before putting them in the dishwasher can reduce the workload and buildup of food bits in your dishwasher’s filter. Consider scrubbing dishes with a sponge and hot, soapy water to effectively remove all food bits. Afterward, run them through the wash cycle in your dishwasher. Doing the dishes once a day keeps the sink empty and free from standing water and food. This keeps pests from enjoying the leftover food scraps.
Don’t Forget About Cutting Boards
Cutting boards require careful attention because food particles can lodge in small grooves. Scrubbing boards with hot water and dish soap after each use effectively removes lingering food.
Consider disinfecting wooden cutting boards with vinegar or lemon juice to eliminate odors that might attract pests. This is especially important if the washing instructions for the wooden cutting board say to hand-wash.
Make Sure Dishes Are Completely Dry
Make sure dishes are completely dry before you put them away. While the dry cycle on a dishwasher gets most of the moisture, dry them completely with a towel before putting them in the cabinet or storage rack.
Standing water, even a little bit, can cause mold or bacterial growth. It can also attract pests looking for water, especially if it’s very dry outside and it hasn’t rained in a while.
Get Any Holes in Walls Repaired Quickly
Accidents happen. If you see a hole in the wall in your apartment, it’s important to submit a maintenance request as soon as possible.
Holes in the Wall Invite Pests Into Your Home
Repairing holes in walls quickly prevents pests from entering and nesting inside an apartment. Small openings allow insects and rodents to find a cozy spot to create a nest while allowing them to gather food from any scraps in your kitchen. Holes in a wall can lead to pests traveling between apartments, which is never good.
Mice can squeeze through openings as small as a dime, so it’s not just ants and roaches to worry about. Living in the walls of your apartment makes it harder to eradicate any pests that might reside there.
Pests Hiding in the Wall
Unsealed holes provide a dark place for pests to hide during the day, making it hard to see them. Cockroaches and bedbugs retreat into crevices during the day, avoiding baits or insecticides. Rodents build nests inside walls, chewing electrical wiring and causing potential fire hazards.
So, if you don’t want a small problem to become something harder to solve, fill out a maintenance request as soon as possible when you see a hole in the wall. We’ll fix it as soon as we can.
Welcome Home to Our Apartments in Joplin or Webb City
We want you to have the best possible experience at our apartments in Joplin or Webb City. Many of our properties are routinely inspected for pests, and we’ll help you with any concerns you may have.
Contact us or call (417) 624-4144 to schedule a tour with our team. We look forward to meeting you!
