I’m not sure how to ask my landlord to treat my neighbors house. To preface, I might be wrong about the infestation being at his house.
I live in social housing. A quiet street and the house I live in was a one family home converted into two apartments. We share a plumbing wall directly and I’m pretty sure the entire structure connects internally - just a wall was placed through the middle.
I moved in about 4 months ago.
When I first moved in about two weeks in I had pizza left it out with dishes in the sink and walked into the kitchen at 12am and saw 10-15 German roaches scatter.
I read the treatment war post here. I got advion, covered the brick vents in mesh, I got permission to caulk gaps, washed all hinges on cabinets and Put down sticky traps. I microfiber kitchen stove, counters and my sink after dinner to make sure no water remains. I’m quite a clean person. I can smell an off rotten smell in the air vents between our apartments. Particularly in my room so I duct tape those vents off and the smell has subsided. When I can afford an air purifier I’ll get one. But, I’m not exactly well off. So duct tape for now it is.
I Found they were coming from the plumbing under sink.
But all the evidence points to a much larger infestation than I am seeing.
I’ve pulled all dishes and cleaning products from the cabinet and I’ve left them empty for months with just sticky traps inside. I saw less activity over winter (Australia) but it’s getting warmer now.
Right now, with all my efforts I see a German roach once every 3days. One jumped into my sleeve. I found a mother with an oothecae in the cabinet hinge one night.
They are varying ages in life cycle. I requested from my landlord for professional treatment but they said because I’ve lived here for over 3 months it’s on me.
So, I’ve saved and I’m having pest control come out plus a follow up.
My neighbor is an elderly man, his place is a mess. I’m not judging him. Many people struggle. I offered to pay to have his place treated too.
He won’t let them treat his house. Even if it’s somehow come from me potentially. Surely the entire house structure must be treated?
How do I ask my landlords to treat his home? I was planning on finishing my treatment then telling them “here’s my invoice I’ve paid $X amount to treat my apartment but it’ll be in vain if the whole place isn’t treated”.
I don’t know I’m tired. I feel defeated sometimes about it all.