Pest control - for dodgy ex-neighbours

HAL on 05/08/2014 - 14:00
Last edited 05/08/2014 - 14:39

Hi All,

Just hoping to get some advice on pest control.

I live in the top floor of an unit block, over a year ago we had a bunch of migrants (13 men, yes 13!) moved into the unit directly below us.

Unfortunately they had terrible hygiene standards (I popped into their place a few times to help with things and was shock by the sight), anyways a few months back they moved out and the unit is now "empty".

Whilst they were living below we would get the odd cockroach but nothing we really were worried about, however ever since they left their unit has turned into a breeding ground for pest! One night we found 30 german cockroaches outside on our balcony, the pest are moving up into our place now… the last straw happened today we found a mouse in our kitchen! Having lived in the unit most of my life I have never seen a german cockroach or mouse… and truly shocked now.

We have self managed strata, I have spoken to them a few times and they have been pretty useless in regards to the unit below. No one seems to know who the owners are. Basically the unit below is a huge health hazard and in dire need of pest control.

Hoping to get advice:
1/ How to get in contact with the owners
2/ Force pest control in the unit below

We are looking into professional pest control for our unit too, but it's not much use unless you fix the source.

TLDR:

Dodgy neighbours moved in below, created infestation of cockroaches and mice. They moved out now pest have free rein, no one know who owns the unit.
How do I force pest control?

It's all really disgusting.

Thanks

Home & Garden

Comments

  • Shadow54 on 05/08/2014 - 14:07

    Self-managed strata? What exactly is it? The renting agent must know who the owner is. The local council must also know who owns the joint. You'll need to do some legwork to find the answers……. Someone in building will know, so try some doorknocking.
    Good luck!

    • HAL on 05/08/2014 - 14:26

      Thanks

      Self-managed as in a few of units here have taken over running the strata.

  • Shadow54 on 05/08/2014 - 16:33

    Do you pay body corporate fees or council rates? I think under body corporate rules you can call for an extraordinary meeting to discuss the pest problem and to seek agreement for the hiring & payment of an exterminator? Not sure which state you in and rules vary a bit from state to state, so need to check what I'm saying. Check with your state's Tenancy Tribunal (or equivalent organisation in your state). Like I said before though, you need to do some legwork yourself. You shouldn't have to live with rats and cockroaches…….

    • HAL on 07/08/2014 - 19:12

      Body Corp at my place is useless, since we are self managed everyone just looks after themselves.

      Might have to escalate to the next level.

  • [Deactivated] on 05/08/2014 - 16:43

    As an intermittent and cheap solution you could start by dosing your place with those bug spray bombs. Should keep the immediate problem at bay, but if the place is that filthy the bugs will keep coming back.

    http://www.mortein.com.au/products/aerosol/control-bombs/

    • HAL on 07/08/2014 - 19:16

      Unfortunately I don't have access to their place.

      • [Deactivated] on 12/08/2014 - 08:58

        Dose your own place to keep the bugs out of there.

  • Conka on 05/08/2014 - 19:43

    Bikies?

    If not; some hotels have a maximum occupancy per unit. I wonder if the same applies to non-hotel lodgings?
    To get owner's details, the best place is RP Data in the event that you can't get details of the renting agent.

  • c64 on 05/08/2014 - 20:23

    if the unit has been empty for months, how can it be the source of a cockaroach or mouse infestation?

    get pest control for your unit if you are concerned about pests

  • [Deactivated] on 05/08/2014 - 20:54
    +2

    I dunno which I'm more grossed out by - German roach infestation or the thought of 13 men living in one unit together…

    • HAL on 07/08/2014 - 19:14

      I came home one night and smelt petrol… took me a while to realise it was coming from downstairs.

      They were cleaning something in their house using petrol!!! I quickly put a stop to it.

      They didn't seem to be too fussed, maybe it's normal in their home country? (They were new to Australia)

      • [Deactivated] on 07/08/2014 - 19:29

        What the hell lol. That sounds too bizarre to believe.

  • melgibson on 05/08/2014 - 22:33

    What do you mean by the term "migrant"? Perhaps your "German" roaches are of the home grown kind or are the roaches migrants as we'll?

    • [Deactivated] on 05/08/2014 - 23:41
      +5

      Our homegrown cockroaches are very different (and nice) beasties, as compared to the German and American roaches. They be sneaky. Many continue to come into the country on forged passports and dodgy 457 visas.

      • kiitos on 06/08/2014 - 21:16
        +1

        But they have IT certifications, and can fix your PC from the inside.

        • [Deactivated] on 06/08/2014 - 23:29

          A species of Asian gecko arrived up in here in Brisneyland about a dozen years ago and has now spread all over the South-East of QLD.

          They don't just have IT qualifications…
          The babies, when hatched and for months, are teeny-tiny and can get through the ventilation slots of around 95% of all electronic equipment - so they can 'fix' just about anything!

  • wayacos on 06/08/2014 - 11:07
    +1

    Contact the Council and Local Health Dept.

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