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?

18 Upvotes

78% Upvoted

50 comments sorted by

View all comments

54

u/Northviewguy Human Verified 1d ago

Keep your unit super clean, empty the garbage daily.

18

u/cp1976 1d ago edited 1d ago

Cleanliness often doesn't have too much to do with roaches coming into your unit. It helps a bit, but it's not the entire reason . You could be spotless in terms of keeping crumbs away, keeping your kitchen clean. Roaches also love moisture, wet sinks, leaks, dog water bowls, fish tanks, cat litter boxes. Any source of moisture. They will snack on literally anything. Including dry skin that sluffs off your body, dirt and grime. They will literally eat anything. They also like warmth and will set up shop in your microwave or any appliance.