Apartment Management wants to spray for bugs!

[crustytheclown]

My apartment management wants to spray our apartment for bugs. I have a nice reef aquarium with delicate fish, invertebrates and many corals. They left a notice on the door that specifically stated that aquariums need to be covered w plastic and air pumps unplugged. We also have to be out of the apartment when the come spray and be gone for 2+ hours, so i cant be there to be "on guard"! This makes me very concerned. There is an option to opt out for a $57 fee. I am really leaning towards this and not taking the risk of my tank being contaminated! Its worth it. Ive invested a ton of money into the tank to get it where it is now to risk any sort of sabotage. Has anyone had any first hand experience dealing with an issue like this?

 

[SkyShark]

I think you have a good reason to be very concerned. Maybe call and see if you can find out exactly what they will be spraying and do a little more research.

 

[Dr.DiSilicate]

Tell them you want to opt out! Also tell them that they are saving money by you doing that and you will not pay. If you put up a stink about your health and the health of your pets you'll have a good chance to win. If not pay the FINE. Keep referring to the fee as a FINE.

 

[GiraffeCat]

Check the lease you signed and see what it says about it. It is a contract after all........ Maybe have a lawyer look over it if you don't feel comfortable arguing with the landlord. What kind of bugs are they spraying for? Maybe it is just time for you to move out? Lot of things to think about. Good Luck.

Late,
GC

 

[SkyDiv3r17]

If you need to have it sprayed, I would turn the skimmer off, cover the tank and run a long air line outside like 20ft from the house that pumps bubbles into the tank. I think that you'll be fine if you do that honestly. Just tape over where the airline is to keep everything out.

 

[Mccoc033]

If the won't let you keep anything plugged in I doubt they will let you tuna 20 foot airline out of the apartment lol

 

[SkyDiv3r17]

I don't see why not. Just tape it to the ceiling or something. And you read it wrong, they just said to unplug the air Pumps cause it would get into the tank that way.

 

[zombie]

If you need to have it sprayed, I would turn the skimmer off, cover the tank and run a long air line outside like 20ft from the house that pumps bubbles into the tank. I think that you'll be fine if you do that honestly. Just tape over where the airline is to keep everything out.

If that is allowed, any he doesnt opt out, then there is one issue using this method. The extra air being pumped in will create excess pressure that might pop the covering and expose the water to the insectisides. If he does this, he would need to run a second line outside that is not hooked up to the air pump to alleviate the excess pressure and remove CO2 from the air. The air pump should also be big so that there is always a positive pressure within the tank with respect to the house so that if any leaks develop, air is much more likely to flow out of the aquarium than in.

With that said, if it were me, I would opt out and pay the "FINE" if you cant talk your way out of it. $57 dollars is much cheaper than replacing all of your livestock if you dont cover it right, and all the supplies you will need to cover the tank aququately will probably cost upwards of 20 dollars and several hours of your time anyway.

 

[deboy69]

If that is allowed, any he doesnt opt out, then there is one issue using this method. The extra air being pumped in will create excess pressure that might pop the covering and expose the water to the insectisides. If he does this, he would need to run a second line outside that is not hooked up to the air pump to alleviate the excess pressure and remove CO2 from the air. The air pump should also be big so that there is always a positive pressure within the tank with respect to the house so that if any leaks develop, air is much more likely to flow out than in.

You won't need the second line. Positive pressure will find its way out. You can't seal it 100% to create a big enough pressure to "pop" anything. I'd go with the above methods of contact first.

 

[ReeferMatt]

If you live in Denver and the whole building is being sprayed there is most likely a bed bug infestation on one or more of the apartments. If you do opt out you need to take precautions. Vacuum DAILY, Clean, clean, clean. They will travel from one apartment to another.

 

[jahmic]

I would opt out "for health reasons". Check your lease...unless it's stated in there, they have no grounds to collect that extra money from you. It's likely in there though, so you may be stuck paying. Still worth it IMO.

 

[crustytheclown]

Opt'ed out! N pretty sure its a "Roach issue". Gonna check the lease too. Don't think its bed bugs...

 

[FinsUp]

Good move, IMO.

Think of it as an extra couple of bucks spent on each fish & coral in the tank. Cheaper than replacing everything, including contaminated equipment.

You might want to consider the HVAC system, however. If you share vents with other apartments, the fumes could still get into your place. Consider taking steps to seal your apartment to the best of your ability from the rest of the building during the time they're doing the extermination.

And roaches will absolutely travel from one apt to another, so you'll want to take non-aerosol steps to deter/kill any that look at your untreated apt as a refuge.

 

[Fitz19d]

See any roaches and I'll bring over a monitor to eat em ;p. (Mostly kidding, but I'm seriously like hoarding found bugs for hungry hungry hippo lizards.)

 

[TravelinGal]

I would suggest upping the roach motel type prevention since you opted out then. If your not sprayed then they may migrate to your place. (I agree with opting out! Too much at risk there with the tank!)
While we don't have a huge roach issue here in CO, I've lived in places (Nebraska and Oklahoma) that did and - ewwwwwwwww. I'm so glad we don't have the issues here! I will NEVER EVER move back to a region that has lots of roaches (or fleas!)

 

[Mad Mantis]

Is it roaches really? I've never heard of that in CO... Are you sure it's not bed bugs? We just went through a bed bugs (chemical spray) fiasco at our place of residence. I was allowed to be there "on guard" and was able to plastic wrap everything, so it went pretty smoothly. Some places will say "roaches" just because residents don't know how bad of a problem bed bugs really are. Don't they know we are reefers and know all/everything about Google research?

 

[TravelinGal]

Is it roaches really? I've never heard of that in CO... Are you sure it's not bed bugs? We just went through a bed bugs (chemical spray) fiasco at our place of residence. I was allowed to be there "on guard" and was able to plastic wrap everything, so it went pretty smoothly. Some places will say "roaches" just because residents don't know how bad of a problem bed bugs really are. Don't they know we are reefers and know all/everything about Google research?

I've had people TELL me that we do have roaches here, but I've never seen one in the 18 years I've lived here. I wonder if people see earwigs and think they are roaches? (so I'm leaning on the side with Mad Mantis)
But then, I have to wonder why I see roach traps and sprays at the stores...

 

[SynDen]

Ya we do have roaches here, but I have never seen them be an issue in Colorado before, nor have I ever had to spray for them. Bed bugs however has been a growing issue over the last 10 years or so, unfortunately spraying for them will not solve the problem as they are very nearly impossible to eliminate. If people do have a bed bug problem in their home, you generally have to replace all the carpet, furniture and burn your clothes to get rid of them. Even after that they still could live in baseboards or in the walls and will eventually repopulate.
Although just about every apartment complex I have ever lived in did occasional spraying for bugs as normal yearly or bi-yearly maintenance thing. So its not all that unusual and not really a cause for alarm. If it was bed bugs I would hope the management would be a bit more clear about it, esspecially considering the drastic measures that would need to be taken to get rid of them.

 

[Mad Mantis]

I've had people TELL me that we do have roaches here, but I've never seen one in the 18 years I've lived here. I wonder if people see earwigs and think they are roaches? (so I'm leaning on the side with Mad Mantis)
But then, I have to wonder why I see roach traps and sprays at the stores...

I sometimes wonder if we are just supposed to worry about it so we purchase their products.

I work at a hotel and we get bed bug sprays all the time. (Never roaches) I have had them tell me about our "roach problem" but have never seen one as well/ever. Maybe there are really roaches in CO, but not like when I used to work in FL and IL. You had to worry about both there... damn the humidity...

 

[Mad Mantis]

Ya we do have roaches here, but I have never seen them be an issue in Colorado before, nor have I ever had to spray for them. Bed bugs however has been a growing issue over the last 10 years or so, unfortunately spraying for them will not solve the problem as they are very nearly impossible to eliminate. If people do have a bed bug problem in their home, you generally have to replace all the carpet, furniture and burn your clothes to get rid of them. Even after that they still could live in baseboards or in the walls and will eventually repopulate.
Although just about every apartment complex I have ever lived in did occasional spraying for bugs as normal yearly or bi-yearly maintenance thing. So its not all that unusual and not really a cause for alarm. If it was bed bugs I would hope the management would be a bit more clear about it, esspecially considering the drastic measures that would need to be taken to get rid of them.

Do we really have them here? I'm sure they would be more easily controlled since it is so dry here.