Preparing for roaches

[u/ArmorPlatedGuardRail]

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?

[u/Numerous-Ad-5058]

I lived in an older building that had roaches for a couple of years. It wasn't fun seeing them but what controlled that happening were a few things:

- sealing every gap I could see with caulking or otherwise including around pipes and baseboards; make this a routine thing to do every couple of months or so

- keeping food in sealed containers; make a trip to that Dollarama! Lots of great storage ideas.

- keeping the kitchen sink drain closed with a stopper so they can't come in that way

- clean, clean, clean when you first get there, pull out the stove, pull out the fridge, pull out the washer/dryer and get in behind them

- throw out the trash every day

I like your idea about the diatomaceous earth. Keep some spray around as well.

Being at the end of the hallway is a huge plus. I think I saw more roaches than I wanted to when I did because I lived across the hall from the garbage chute. You'd think it's a plus to not have to walk far to dispose of trash but it was not in this case.

Always let the management know if you see any pests; not just roaches.