Living in a major city like Chicago has many benefits. It offers picturesque lakeside living and growing employment opportunities along with world-class sports and culture. You can also experience all four seasons of weather, with plenty of cool things to do come rain or shine.

However, pests in urban cities are a common bother that becomes a reality when living in apartment buildings.

Always examine a new place for pests before you move in. Though an apartment may look clean on the surface, you never know what previous tenants may have left. It’s much easier to perform apartment exterminations before you move in.

We also recommend getting written confirmation from a landlord that an apartment is pest-free prior to signing a lease.

Common pests in Chicago

There are six common urban apartment-dwelling bugs in Chicago to look out for. We explain what you need to know about them. Along with DIY steps you can take to make a home environment less inviting for pests.

Cockroaches

These apartment pests usually enter apartments under doors, through basement windows, or garages. They are unpleasant and unhygienic, triggering people prone to allergies and contaminating food.

Above all, common places they scurry around include sinks, fridges, and cupboards, or between wall cracks and around bins. Signs they are around are droppings, unpleasant odor, and the unmistakable sign of actually seeing one.

Preventative measures:

• Clear food waste and liquid spillage before night-time
• Seal cracks around walls, under kitchen sinks, and behind electrical sockets.
• Declutter, remove unused cardboard, old magazine, and books, and donate unwanted items to charity

Rodents

Fall and winter are peak seasons in Chicago for mice and rat problems. They tend to try and enter warmer home environments through any cracks in the foundations of a building.

Above all, tell-tale signs that rodents are around include chewed materials, a musty odor, squeaking and scratching noises, and of course droppings. Their droppings can spread disease and contaminate food.

Unfortunately, they can also cause structural damage by gnawing at household items with their sharp teeth.

Preventative measures:

• Place garbage in tightly sealed bins with air-proof lids
• Keep doors closed, especially during the colder months and at night
• Block and seal cracks and potential entry points in the exterior and interior of your home

Silverfish

Silverfish seek out damp places inside apartments, like bathrooms, kitchens or basements. Areas they can appear in at home include sinks, bathtubs, and showers.

Or even in the dark corner of a closet. You can identify them by their fish-like appearance, despite the fact they’re insects. They can wreak havoc in the home, scavenging and feeding on household items like wallpaper, books, and even clothes. Creepily, they move fast and like to come out at night.

However, they don’t pose a health risk or bite.

Preventative measures:

• Fix any leaking plumbing
• Control the humidity in your home
• Fill in any cracks or crevices in wet rooms

Spiders

You’re more likely to come across spiders in your apartment during spring and summer. Some people find spiders a bit scary.

However, they tend to be more of a nuisance than a danger.

Most species of spiders don’t bite. Web-building spiders are the most common species found in apartments.

Like other pests, they seek moist areas and sources of food.

Preventative measures:

• Invest in a dehumidifier
• Remove rotting food and garbage immediately
• Vacuum regularly, especially around window sills and ceiling corners

Bed bugs

Bed bugs are unpleasant and difficult to get rid of. They spread quickly and commonly enter a home through second-hand furniture, mattresses or luggage.

Unfortunately, they do bite, and you may notice blood spots on bedding. Bed bugs can also leave reddish stains on bed linens and mattresses.

If you suspect you have a bed bug problem, contact a professional straight away.

Preventive measures:

• Use a mattress protector
• Donate used furniture to charity
• Seal any holes and cracks around your apartment

Ants

Ants can be an endless hassle during the warmer months due to how easily they get inside homes through small cracks and holes. They can be alarming to spot as once they appear they can spread in large numbers, very quickly.

As well as being hard to get rid of, they can contaminate food.

Preventative measures:

• Keep floors and countertops clean
• Store food in airtight containers
• Clean any items before placing them in a recycling bin

What to do if you find pests in your apartment

If you’re experiencing a pest problem in your apartment, or find yourself in a battle with bugs that just won’t leave, get professional help.  

When it comes to keeping your home pest-free, contact pest control companies in Chicago. They have the knowledge and resources to deal with infestations swiftly, discreetly, and effectively.   

Address the situation with your landlord.

If you live in a shared apartment building, talk with the neighbors about how you want to handle pest management. They don’t’ tend to be an isolated issue, more of a communal problem that requires working together for a long-term solution.

If you lead a busy lifestyle and keeping on top of cleaning becomes unmanageable, you can stay in a serviced rental with on-demand cleaning services.

All in all, rentals by Blueground in Chicago come with the benefit of app-enabled cleaning and maintenance services. It makes it much easier to keep your apartment sparkling clean and pest proof.

Because many of Blueground’s tenants rent for shorter periods of time, their maintenance team performs regular inspections and deep cleans of the apartments throughout the year.