How To Prevent Pests In Student Accommodation

CONTENTS

• Store food properly
• Check your room
• Be alert for bed bugs
• Stick to a good cleaning routine
  • Contact us today

There are thought to be as many as 10 million species of insects on the earth, according to the Royal Entomological Society.

Although many of these are not classified as household pests, numerous students will sadly experience a pest infestation during their time at university. 

It can be difficult to identify the type of pest present in your environment, so it may be worth researching common household pests to help with this. For instance, have a look at this useful resource created by the British Pest Control Association (BPCA).

Here at ICE Cleaning, we are a specialist provider of pest control services throughout the UK. If you suffer an infestation and need help urgently, we can be on site within the hour to provide you with emergency treatment. Speak to a member of our team to get a quote today.

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Continue reading to learn about some of the key prevention methods to avoid confronting pests in your student halls. 

Store food properly

This is one of the most common causes of pet infestations in student halls. Pests will eat a vast array of food to sustain themselves, and food or crumbs left out on the side provide the perfect opportunity for nourishment. 

Keep all food sealed away in secure containers and wash and put away your dishes once you have finished eating. Should food not be cleaned up promptly, you may find yourself with a pest problem which could have been avoided.

It can be difficult when living with others you're not necessarily familiar with to keep the kitchen area tidy. It is important to approach this situation positively and with care, and emphasise why it is necessary to store food away correctly.

In your flat, you could make a cleaning schedule to assist with this, including tasks such as disposing of the rubbish, dusting and vacuuming. This helps everyone keep on track and know what they are responsible for.

Check your room

Before you move into your accommodation with your belongings, do a thorough sweep of your room and the surrounding facilities for any issues. Check for things like holes in the walls, leaking taps and if there are any insects present.

Pests can fit through the smallest of spaces when gaining entry to the building, so be detailed in your check. Inspecting for leaking taps is also recommended because insects like cockroaches are attracted to damp environments in which to shelter.

Should you identify any problems with the building, get in touch with the property manager to have it sorted quickly to prevent it from ruining your first few weeks of university. Once it is treated, it will make you feel much safer. 

As a specialist pest control company, we can help you if you experience a pest problem. Our experts can identify the best solution for your personal situation, having expertise knowledge of the lifecycle and behaviours of pests. 

Be alert for bed bugs

Moving into a new building with many other students is a popular method for bed bugs to enter. They often seek access by finding their way into your luggage or through second-hand furniture.

It is not the best idea to purchase pre-loved possessions like mattresses when moving into university halls, as they may be ridden with bed bugs. However, if you do have second-hand furniture, make sure that it is free from bed bugs and thoroughly cleaned before you move it in. 

Prior to move in day, carry out an inspection of the room to check for bed bugs. Although they are known for living in beds, they can be present in drawers, cupboards and other crevices in the room. 

Once you have confirmed that there are no bed bugs in your room, it is time to move in. During your time at this accommodation, regularly wash your bed sheets and where you can, keep your clothes in sealed containers. 

Check out for signs of bed bugs frequently too, which can be found in the form of blood on the sheets and bite marks on your skin. In another blog, we take a closer look at how to prevent bed bug infestations - you can check it out here.

Stick to a good cleaning routine

This is one of the key things you can do to prevent pests from infesting your student accommodation. Take a vacuum to your room several days a week to clean up dirt and dust that has collected, as well as crumbs that have fallen while you have been eating.

Don't make a habit of leaving your clothes lying around, as they provide a perfect place for pests to shelter. Also, clean up any dishes if you have had a meal in your room. 

Keep yourself accountable by sticking to a regular cleaning routine. Less often, you will need to conduct a deep clean of your facilities to keep everything fresh and hygienic. 

Eliminating some of the main reasons why pests are drawn to your accommodation will reduce the chances of them appearing. Once they have infested your property, they can be difficult to get rid of. 

Contact us today

For all your pest control needs, contact our team on 0208 066 0360 or enquiries@icecleaning.co.uk. Our friendly support team will help you with whatever you need - free survey/quote available.

Our expert technicians hold multiple industry accreditations at ICE Cleaning, so you know we've got you covered. Click here to find out more.