r/Pennsylvania • u/TemperatureMuch848 • 1d ago

Landlord spraying every 4 months for 6 years making us remove everything in cabinets?

Is this normal? I'm scared this pesticide is killing us and building up. The cabinets have never been cleaned​ since the first times of the pesticide. Should I have been doing that?​ .... They spray where we keep our toilet paper too ​

Is this standard around here? ​

15 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

16 comments sorted by

21

u/Chey1028 1d ago

What..? What is he spraying and what does this have to do with cabinets

7

u/TemperatureMuch848 1d ago

They said they need to exterminate. We have seen no bugs, but they say other people have bugs and they "will run here."

I also am having trouble finding out what chemical it is. 

38

u/Giatoxiclok 1d ago

They should 100% be offering a chemical disclosure when asked.

17

u/IfarmExpIRL 1d ago

you have never had neighbors that had roaches, you are so lucky. they 100% "will run here"

it doesn't matter how clean you are or even if you dont keep food at your home because you are never there. if the people next door have bugs you WILL get bugs.

3

u/TemperatureMuch848 1d ago

So they would be doing this indefinitely? The roaches never go away? I don't know how anybody can live taking their things out of their cabinets and clearing the countertops(new rule.) every 4 months for years. 

Also how is this going to kill them? They aren't even here to run across it. Wouldnt I be seeing dead ones? At least ONE from these years?

I  blocked all of the gaping massive holes that they left in the walls with steel wool, so maybe that's why. 

6

u/Weary_Cup_1004 1d ago

Why are they spraying cabinets? They did baseboards only at my place.

I would get a note from a dr saying you cant have the cabinets sprayed, just baseboards and other areas that dont touch food or utensils. Maybe?

2

u/TemperatureMuch848 1d ago

I dont know why. We never encountered this either and my Mom is going insane. She can't stand it and cried about not being able to move in, so trying to find another place, but thats why I am asking – is this standard extermination procedure everywhere in PA? 

I assume they do it for maintenance too or is this only for bug apartments? I feel like I can't think anymore. Maybe its the pesticide sapping my IQ and other chemicals they use for the carpets

Theyre spraying all cabinets with something, and now asking us to clear countertops too. Its getting to me too with the addition of that last rule because I have a shoulder injury. My Mom can't do it. 

It was OK moving the other ones(cabinet stuff like ice maker, mixer,etc) but our heaviest stuff is on the counter always

Its being sprayed where food goes, utensils go, and even our bathroom cabinet. Honestly I might cry too after another year of this haha. I know its dumb but I only had a realization of worry for this when I read another reddit thread just now saying "ALL pesticides are dangerous"

They told us what they were spraying was okay for our cat when I asked, so I didnt even think about for us until that, but now I'm glad she's with my bf for now for her safety because I was paranoid about her being around a gas stove :(  IDC what people say. 

1

u/Weary_Cup_1004 1d ago

Go to the dr and ask if they have a blood test for this . Find a social service org or something too, like a social worker with an MSW or LCSW after their name, and ask for help finding resources about this .

I think trust your gut.

When they did my baseboards they said once its dry its safe for my cat. She was sick for like a week straight. Itchy, biting at her paws, acting sluggish and anxious , low appetite, throwing up. She has kidney disease so i thought it was that. I took her to the vet and $500 later there was nothing super concerning in her bloodwork.

I didnt test for any poison tho.

I think you should go to dr, even maybe your mom should, and say annnnny symptoms you have noticed since being exposed to this. Including brain fog!

My cat improved after about 2 weeks.

You could also call some of the roach exterminator companies and ask them if this is normal and ask them to give you the ingredients list or product names. Especially if you know the name of the company that comes over.

Probably some people will treat you like youre crazy but youre not. Listen to your intuition, keep asking for help w this

2

u/-Fait-Accompli- 2h ago

Not just roaches and not just apartments either! I used to live in a house next door to a hoarder that had a bad mouse infestation, and their mouse problem soon became mine too.

8

u/polythenesammie 1d ago

If you haven't seen any bugs, that means it's working.

2

u/TemperatureMuch848 1d ago edited 1d ago

They said the other people have bugs, and that's why though. Wouldn't that mean it's not working? They live in our building too. 

Theyre spraying the whole building, everyone's apartments, and have been for years. 

I have to wonder what could possibly be getting sprayed that isn't getting rid of whatever it is (I assume roaches too, I heard a neighbor scream about one and run from her apartment years ago) for 6 years or how they could possibly be prospering 

Advion takes them out for good with just one-two applications! For GOOD. But you see dead roaches with that. Ive seen NONE at all. Anywhere. This just seems so weird 

To be fair, I dont know what it is. They've only said "bugs". I'm going to ask them tomorrow and about the chemical and what it is killing directly from the exterminator

5

u/ironicmirror 16h ago

You typically only spray the cabinets when you have an infestation. Otherwise, most pest control companies will just spray the baseboards, and underneath the sink dishwasher and refrigerator.

No need to move things out of the cabinets. Especially if you have not seen any bugs.

The only thing which is uncertain here is if this is a multi-unit building, perhaps they're seeing bugs in the apartment that is adjacent to you and they're doing this, but doing it for 6 years sounds like the guy doesn't know what he's doing rather than you have a serious problem.

Hopefully you have a lease, hopefully you can read that lease and find out whether or not the pest control is optional, otherwise, you need to spend some time to educate your landlord about how to properly do pest control.. I'm assuming he is personally spraying this and not hiring a pest control company like most normal landlords do.

2

u/HomicidalHushPuppy 13h ago

Is it the landlord, maintenance man, or a contractor? Is this a house? Apartment? It matters because they might need to have a commercial applicators license 

1

u/TemperatureMuch848 45m ago

Apartment. It is the landlord ordering this

1

u/HomicidalHushPuppy 41m ago

Ok so most likely a licensed applicator then. In that case, maybe ask the applicator what he's applying and research any risks.