Moving into a dorm is an exciting milestone, but with all that independence comes a less glamorous reality: Dorm room pest prevention.
Crumbs under the bed, exam-cram clutter, and overflowing bins can all invite unwanted pest-guests.
Whether you’re a freshman settling in or a returning student trying to keep things together, a few smart habits can make all the difference when avoiding indoor pests in shared dorm spaces.
Dorm room pest prevention
Although clean homes can get pests too, it is a lot less common than in a messy space. That’s why having a comprehensive dorm deep-cleaning guide is essential to maintaining a sanitary sleep-study space.
1. Take out trash regularly
Keep your trash can clean.
One of the easiest ways to prevent pests in your dorm room is to tackle trash cans regularly, both in your bedroom and in shared spaces such as common rooms and kitchens.
Scot hodges, A.C.E. Certified Entomologist and VP of professional development and technical services at Arrow Exterminators, says, ‘ Take the trash out regularly. If you've been letting your trash can pile up or leaving food out (even something like a banana from the dining hall), that could contribute to a serious pest problem.’
A close lid touchless trash can, available at Walmart, is perfect for helping keep trash contained while masking trash can smells that could draw pests in – it’s one of the things people with nice-smelling dorm rooms always do.
2. Stay on top of laundry
Don't let clothes or towels sit damp in baskets.
Learning how to do laundry is one of the big learning curves of moving out for the first time – and it is essential to preventing pests in dorm rooms.
Sofia Martinez, cleaning expert and CEO of Sparkly Maid Austin, says, ‘In dorms, I’ve seen students throw damp towels or gym clothes on the floor or at the bottom of their hamper, thinking that's okay. But a couple of hours can create mold and smells, and provide a moist, warm, dark place for cockroaches and silverfish.’
To help prevent musty smells and mold, Sofia recommends, ‘Use breathable mesh laundry bags [available in packs of two at Walmart] instead of plastic ones, and certainly don't put dirty laundry in the corners or dark places in your closet. If you can't wash everything, just hang up your damp clothes to dry. It seems trivial, but that small habit can be very helpful to avoid a buildup of unwanted moisture.’
As a student, I relied upon a divided laundry hamper, such as this rolling laundry sorter with handles from Wayfair. It makes it easy to sort clothes for laundry, and it's more obvious when you have a full laundry load ready to go. The removable baskets with handles also make the trip to the laundry room less of a juggling act, too.
3. Keep snacks contained
Keep food in kitchens, or sealed in glass containers in sleep/study spaces.
One of the most important organizing lessons from a small dorm room is how to store snacks correctly. They are, arguably, your most important dorm room supply, after all.
Sofia continues, ‘One of the quickest ways to pull ants or roaches in is to leave snack bars, gum, instant ramen noodles, or anything loose anywhere – including a drawer or bin. Even if they are sealed, the scent stays around, mostly in warm rooms.
‘I like hard plastic or glass containers with latching lids for all food, such as the Rubbermaid Glass Containers from Walmart – even for dry things like snacks. Even when sharing a mini fridge, I like to put a paper towel on the bottom and cleaning with vinegar [such as the Great Value White Vinegar, from Walmart] or all-purpose spray [such as the non-toxic Attitude all-purpose spray, also available at Walmart] weekly to catch spills before they start to rot. These steps make it so flies and gnats don't even show up.’
Having some machine-washable cleaning cloths, such as the Mr. Siga Microfiber Cloths from Walmart, makes cleaning up quickly a breeze without creating unnecessary waste. Just remember to wash microfiber cloths correctly after use.
4. Keep clear of clutter
Keep clutter at bay and clean regularly.
The power of decluttering methods against pests should not be underestimated, with clutter being one of the most surprising things attracting pests to your home.
Scott Schrader, cleaning expert at CottageCare, says, ‘Don't let things get cluttered up in those places you don't see. Under the bed, behind furniture – those places are perfect homes for pests. I always suggest using clear bins to store stuff off the floor and checking under the bed and behind furniture weekly as a habit.’
The stackable plastic bins, from the Container Store, have latching lids to keep pests out and clutter contained. Under-bed storage bags on wheels, from Walmart, can keep under-bed storage ideas neat and easy to navigate, too, while making packing to move out at the end of the academic year simple.
Keep piles of clothes or cardboard off the floor to avoid creating an ideal harborage spot for opportunistic pests.
5. Use traps as prevention
Use non-toxic traps in living spaces.
Non-toxic pest control essentials do more than whittle down infestations. Used correctly, they can also help to prevent them.
Sofia explains, ‘Many students consider sticky traps as an option only after they see bugs. I always recommend putting a couple of traps behind the trash can, under the bed, and next to the AC unit as a quiet early alert system.
‘Terro or Catchmaster traps [from Amazon] are inexpensive and non-toxic when you are ready to go above and beyond your normal cleaning routine. Obviously, no trap is going to solve the problem for you, but it would let you know if anything were crawling near your bed. Just those couple of habits are enough to put you ahead of 90 percent of dorm issues.’
Cedar blocks, also available at Amazon, are also a good option for dorm room pest prevention. Jade Piper, operations manager for BetterCleans, adds, ‘Beyond the nice scent, cedar repels pests. Drop some into your clothing drawers, stash a few inside your shoe rack, line a couple inside your under-bed storage bins, or even place them near your hamper if it tends to get humid. Refresh every few months with a bit of cedar oil if the scent fades.’ They are one of the best non-toxic alternatives to mothballs.
6. Monitor moisture
Improve ventilation to minimize moisture build up.
Humidity is another big draw for many dorm room pests, especially in dorm rooms with en-suite bathrooms. Be aware of the warning signs of high humidity to step in before a problem worsens.
Cleaning pro Scott urges, ‘Mind the moisture. Damp bathrooms or sinks, leaky faucets, or sweaty laundry bags are home to bugs. A little, inexpensive dehumidifier [such as the top-rated Tabyik 280 sq. ft. Dehumidifier from Amazon] can make a huge difference in your quality of life.’
Keeping an inexpensive hydrometer from Amazon in your dorm room can help you maintain the best humidity for your home year-round.
7. Work together
Working with your dorm room partner makes the task easier.
The only way to really prevent pests and stay on top of the hidden places home pests love to harbor their young is to work together with your dorm partner or housemates.
Pest expert Scot urges, ‘In a shared living environment like a dorm, it's important that everyone using the space maintains good housekeeping practices to deter pests. If a roommate isn't helping keep your space clean, reach out to a resident advisor for support in addressing the issue.’
What to shop
White vinegar is a fantastic non-toxic cleaning solution that tackles bacteria, odors, and mold, making it a sure fire winner for dorm rooms.
Pack of three
Sponge cloths are plant-based, meaning they are free from plastics and decompose in compost heaps in around 10 months, making them a eco-friendly, hygienic alternative to traditional sponges and paper towels.
Vacuum storage bags can help limit the storage footprint of bulky items such as bedding or out-of-season clothing, while keeping items safe from potential pests.
This complete set includes 17 containers and 17 lids in six various sizes. They are microwave, dishwasher, and freezer safe, too, for easy student meal prep.
Pack of 20
Designed to slot onto the tops of clothes hangers, these cedar blocks will help keep moths away from important natural fiber garments.
This extra large laundry hamper is perfect for busy households, with three removeable bags to make sorting laundry super simple.
Meet the experts
Scot Hodges is the President of Professional Development and Technical Services at Arrow Exterminators, Atlanta-based pest control experts. Since 1964, Arrow Exterminators has been a family-owned pest and termite control company serving Americans throughout the Southeast.
Sofia is a cleaning expert and the CEO of Sparkly Maid Austin, a leading name in professional cleaning services, with over a decade of comprehensive experience in both residential and commercial cleaning.
Scott is a cleaning expert at CottageCare, which is a leading home cleaning company with over 41 locations nationwide. He's a big believer in using eco-friendly cleaning solutions like baking soda.
Scot concludes, ‘If you think you are dealing with a rodent problem or a significant insect infestation, contact your R.A. immediately so they can call pest control professionals.’
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