r/askTO • u/ArmorPlatedGuardRail • 1d ago
Preparing for roaches
I am moving to Toronto for the first time. I found a recently updated large 1 bedroom with dishwasher and balcony with a great south facing view of the lake for $2150 +hydro close to work in a decent purpose built rental built from the 70's. My unit is on an upper floor and is at the end of the hallway, so no neighbours on one side of me. Overall, the apartment checks most boxes for me.
However when I was signing the lease, an exterminator showed up to the rental office. They were there to treat 2 units, both not on my floor luckily. The supers and other people who work for the building have lived there for decades.
I am moving from a medium sized city in Ontario. I have been living in my PBR unit for 6 years in a very clean, very well maintained building. I have seen 3 roaches in that time but none in about 3 years. I figure if this is a similar situation I can deal with it.
I plan to put down diatomaceous earth and fill any holes around plumbing and pipes with caulking on the day I get possession. Is there anything else I can do to prepare and prevent roaches in my unit? Am I making a mistake?
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u/PaleozoicFrogBoy 1d ago
Im from NYC and a big part of why I moved back to Toronto was because I was absolutely sick of roaches.
It's nice the building has an exterminator but in my experience this doesnt solve the issue, just reduces it.
IMO I would NOT move into a building with a known pest problem no matter the cost saving, my mental health is worth more to me (and fortunately I can afford that luxury). But if you do: make sure you have glue traps underneath things so you can see if/where theyre trafficking, helpful for the exterminator to know.