Pest Control Updates

Contractor + Schedule Update

New Company: RemTech

CTC is changing our pest control contractor, employing a new contractor for our community's pest control needs, RemTech Pest Protection. CTC formerly employed Adam's Pest Control, whose final day at CTC was July 7, 2022.

Note: RemTech does not have vehicles marked with their company branding, yet technicians will wear RemTech branded shirts.

Adjusted Schedule

Pest Control services are available weekly or on an emergency needed basis. The standard, weekly visits will occur on Wednesdays, with an expected arrival time between 11 am - 2 pm, servicing all requested households and other needed areas.

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Pest Control Services

Report Pest Issues Immediately Residents are required to report any pest problem involving uncommon or excessive insects or other pests to the Management Office for appropriate treatment. Failure to report can make a condition much worse and can allow pest problems to spread. More information in CTC's Resident Handbook (Pest Control Policy and Procedures, page 19)

Request Pest Control Service

Contact CTC's office or place a maintenance request via your RentCafe account, indicating the type of pest/s present, affected rooms or areas, and any other information that may be helpful for the technician to treat the issue.

After receiving your request, CTC will contact you with a confirmation for the scheduled visit and any prep work, if needed, for you to complete before RemTech's visit. You do not need to be home for the pest control technician's visit, yet you can remain home if you would like. 

Pet/Animal Owners: Please note that all household pets/animals must be crated or caged during the Pest Control Tech's visit, for the safety and wellbeing of all. 

Pest Preventative Spray Treatments

Preventative maintenance will occur throughout the year as needed, which could include the exterior of buildings to minimize the number of insects entering apartments.

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Common Pests + Prevention Methods

We reside in an area that you can expect to find pests like spiders, mice, and ants. In some cases, like for lady Asian beetles and boxelder bugs, we do not do a chemical treatment but recommend using your vacuum as the best method of dealing with these pests in your home. 

Ants

The biggest thing you can do to prevent ants from entering your home is to make sure you keep it clean, and to make sure food items are cleaned up and stored in sealed containers.

• Keep Surfaces Clean: 
  • Clean up dirty dishes
  • Sweep and vacuum regularly
  • Wipe down common surfaces
• Store Food in Sealed Glass or Plastic Containers

Additional Resource

Ant baits are available in CTC's office for pick-up during in-person business hours to use in the time leading up to your requested pest control visit. 

Bed Bugs

There might not be a way to control exposure, as bed bugs can be picked up anywhere you visit or in purchased used items, but it is a good practice to be vigilant to prevent bed bug infestation in your home.

• When traveling, do not set belongings down until you inspect hotel rooms and beds, then check all personal items before bringing home after each time you travel.
• Inspect all secondhand furniture and other items before bringing them home.
• Use a protective cover that encases mattresses and box springs to eliminate many hiding spots.
• Reduce clutter and vacuum frequently to reduce bed bugs’ hiding places and mobility
• Transport laundry items in plastic bags or bags that will be washed and dryed with your clothing. Minimize the contact of your clothing with any surfaces and the amount of time your clothing is in the laundry room as much as possible. A dryer on high heat can kill bed bugs.
• Inquire with any friends you visit or that visit you if they have bed bugs (good friends will tell you!)

Additional Resource

• Prevention: Review CTC's Bed Bug Prevention/Control Tips
• Treatment Prep: RemTech's Bed Bug Chemical Treatment Preparation Instructions

Mice

• Keep all doors closed
• Keep all grain foods (i.e. rice, cereal, bread) contained in sealed, glass or plastic containers
• Do not leave food out
• Maintain a clean household (clean up dirty dishes, sweep and vacuum regularly, wipe down common surfaces, etc.)
• Clean inside and store food in glass and metal containers.
• Garbage should be placed in trash cans with lids.
• Food and pet food should not be left out overnight unprotected.

Additional Resources

• Prevention: Review CTC's Mouse Prevention Tips
• Mouse traps are available in CTC's office for pick-up during in-person business hours to use in the time leading up to your requested pest control visit. 
• Treatment Prep: RemTech's Preparation Tips for Mouse Treatment 

Boxelder Bugs

Boxelder bugs are harmless and are simply looking for warmth hence why you will always find them in sunny places where the sun is shining. They are a sure sign of Spring in Minnesota. Sometimes, they can find their ways inside your home via small cracks and openings around your doors and windows. It is highly advise not to squash them as their crushed bodies can release a stench and attract other pests. Below are a few tips to help should they cause you a disturbance.

1. Spray a solution of dish soap and water at them. A tablespoon of dish soap in a spray bottle of water will do. If a boxelder bug is saturated enough with this solution, it will kill it. If not, the solution will be repulsive enough for the bugs to eventually leave. Small, empty spray bottles can be found at your local Target and Walmart in the travel-size toiletries section. Clean up and discard the bodies of the ones that are killed by this solution.
2. Vacuum any boxelder bugs in your home and discard them immediately in your nearest dumpster. Again, it is not advised to stomp and squish these insects. A smell will be emitted from their bodies which can attract other types of pests. Hence why sometimes boxelder bugs are also known as stink bugs.
3. Check your windows for any holes and broken seals that could be used as entry points by those bugs who found their way inside. Place a maintenance request with a detailed written description on where these holes are located. While waiting for CTC Maintenance to attend to your maintenance request, broken seals and holes can be temporarily fixed placing tape over the opening.

Until then, please view these harmless insects as seasonal visitors simply trying to keep warm. Pest control cannot do much about boxelder bugs because their presence are only temporary. They should be gone in a few weeks.