Commons residents have reported rodents in 20 apartments. Capstone On-Campus Management said it takes steps to keep the mice out of the buildings by increasing pest control.
Several South Campus Commons units have gained additional, unwelcome apartment-mates so far this year, as colder weather and nearby construction drive mice indoors.
Staff have received reports of rodents in 20 apartments since the semester began, with multiple reports stemming from the same unit in some cases. Staff have taken precautions to keep these pests out, said Trisha Wells, Capstone On-Campus Management regional Vice President, but mice detections are natural given the shift in weather and the continuing water main construction taking place on Knox Road. Another construction site, the development of Prince Frederick Hall, also flanks Commons 5 and 6.
Staff increased pest control efforts this summer in preparation for the upcoming school year and colder weather by doubling the number of rodent traps in July and August. They also regularly check buildings’ foundations to confirm there are no cracks mice can sneak through. Wells said it is also important to note the affected areas account for 3 percent of the 600-unit community.
“South Campus Commons does everything we can to prevent rodents, but the change to cooler weather makes it difficult to avoid,” Wells said. “It’s totally normal for us to get a few more rodent reports during this time of year.”
In addition, residents must do their part in preventing vermin infiltration, said Commons Director Gina Brasty.
“It’s one of those things where we have to work together and ask, ‘What can we do to prevent this and what can they do, too, in their own apartments?’” she said.
Senior accounting and finance major Rachel Zhang said she feels wary about Commons’ efficiency in responding to reports of pests. A few weeks ago, several students said staff completed two or three fruitless searches for another pest — bedbugs — before finally confirming an infestation in their apartments. After that, Zhang said, she wonders how meticulously exterminators must be searching.
“There always seem to be pests around,” she said. “I know that they do bedbug checks in apartments, but I’m not exactly sure how thorough they are.”
Commons management dedicates a portion of its budget to pest control to ensure there is money to handle whatever problems arise, Brasty said. However, she added, finances are never an issue when calling an exterminator.
“We never let the budget affect what we have to do,” she said. “If we have an issue, we want to fix it.”
Staff members said they are requesting all residents keep their apartments clean by frequently taking out trash and washing dishes, so as not to attract more uninvited guests. Putting food in airtight containers also helps prevent mice, Wells said.
“We appreciate residents helping support our efforts by keeping all food in sealed containers and reporting any problems so our exterminator can address them right away,” she said.
When Commons receives a report of a mouse sighting, staff send in a professional exterminator as soon as possible to set down traps in areas where the rodents may be coming from, such as cracks in the walls or flooring.
Though Commons management said they are doing their best to solve all pest difficulties, some students said doubts remain over staff’s commitment to residents.
“The staff is usually very slow in reacting and solving problems like this,” Zhang said. “I’m sure that they feel for us, but I just don’t trust them.”
