Student Accommodation Pest Control: How to Prevent Pest Problems in Your Student Home
Moving into student accommodation is an exciting time, with a long list of things to think about as you settle into your new home – and pest prevention probably isn’t near the top.
Like any property, student accommodation can occasionally experience pest problems. Taking a few simple preventative steps and knowing what to look out for can help reduce the risk and catch any issues early.
Recent guidance from the British Pest Control Association (BPCA) highlights areas such as shared kitchens, food waste and bins as things students should be aware of when settling into accommodation.
Here are five simple ways students, tenants and landlords can help prevent pest problems.
1. Keep food stored and kitchens clean
Shared kitchens can get busy, particularly when several people are cooking at different times.
Crumbs, spills, dirty dishes and open food packets can provide an easy food source for pests such as mice, rats, ants, flies and cockroaches.
Simple habits can make a difference:
- Keep opened food in sealed containers.
- Wipe up crumbs and spills after cooking.
- Don’t leave dirty dishes for long periods.
- Regularly check cupboards for forgotten food.
- Clean underneath appliances where possible.
You don’t need a spotless kitchen at all times – the aim is simply to remove easy sources of food.
2. Don’t let bins and food waste build up
In a busy student house, bins can fill surprisingly quickly.
Try to empty kitchen bins regularly, dispose of food waste properly and make sure rubbish reaches the correct outdoor bins.
It’s also worth cleaning around bins if anything spills.
For landlords and student accommodation managers, suitable waste facilities are an important part of maintaining rental properties, particularly houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).
3. Check furniture carefully
Furniture can provide hiding places for pests, so it’s worth knowing what signs to look out for, particularly when it comes to bed bug prevention.
The NHS guidance on bed bugs recommends checking beds and furniture for signs of bed bugs.
Pay particular attention to mattresses, bed frames and upholstered furniture. Check seams, joints, cracks and crevices for unusual spotting or signs of insects.
If you suspect bed bugs in student accommodation, report the problem and seek advice early. Bed bugs can be difficult to eliminate without professional treatment.
4. Report leaks, gaps and maintenance issues
Pest prevention isn’t only about cleaning.
The condition of the building can also contribute to pest problems. Gaps around doors, damaged vents, cracks, leaking pipes and openings around pipework can all be worth investigating.
When moving into a student property, look for obvious maintenance problems and report them to your landlord, letting agent or accommodation provider.
GOV.UK guidance on private renting and repairs provides further information about landlords’ responsibilities for repairs, including areas such as the structure, exterior, pipes and drains.
5. Report signs of pests early
Don’t wait for a suspected pest problem to become a major infestation.
Warning signs can include:
- Droppings
- Gnaw marks
- Scratching noises
- Damaged food packaging
- Unusual insect activity
- Unexplained bites
- Signs of insects around mattresses or furniture
Different pests require different approaches, so correct identification is important.
Students and tenants should report concerns to their landlord, letting agent or accommodation provider as soon as possible.
Pest prevention for landlords and letting agents
Students aren’t the only audience who should be thinking about pest prevention.
For landlords, letting agents, HMO managers and student accommodation providers, the beginning of the academic year is a good opportunity to:
- Give tenants clear pest-prevention information.
- Make it easy for tenants to report problems.
- Address maintenance issues promptly.
- Ensure appropriate waste facilities are available.
- Arrange professional pest control when required.
Early communication can help identify problems before they become more difficult to manage.
Need professional pest control?
If you’ve noticed signs of mice, rats, bed bugs, cockroaches, fleas, ants or other pests in student accommodation, getting the problem correctly identified is an important first step.
The Pest Company provides professional pest control across York & North Yorkshire, Leeds & West Yorkshire, East Yorkshire, Teesside, Cambridgeshire & Bedfordshire and Essex, helping students, landlords, letting agents and property managers deal with a wide range of pest problems.
