What Landlords, Tenants & Homeowners Must Know

New Yorkers know the deal. The minute it starts to warm up, our neighborhoods don’t just bloom—they buzz, scurry, and crawl with pest activity. Whether you own a brownstone in Bed-Stuy, manage a rental in the Bronx, or rent a walk-up in Washington Heights, spring and summer pests are inevitable. But infestations? Those are optional—if you’re proactive.

This isn’t just about avoiding annoyance—pests in NYC are a legal and public health issue. And when it comes to preventing violations, complaints, or costly exterminations, the smartest thing you can do is work with pros who get the city—and its rules.

🐜 The Warm-Weather Pest Lineup in NYC

Here’s what typically shows up once the temperatures rise:

• Cockroaches: Thrive in moist, warm apartments. Carry allergens, spread bacteria, and trigger asthma—especially in children.
• Mice and Rats: Squeeze through holes as small as a dime. Known to chew wiring, contaminate food, and multiply quickly.
• Ants: Attracted to water and sugary crumbs. Difficult to control once inside.
• Mosquitoes: Breed in standing water around window wells, gutters, and yards. Can transmit West Nile virus.
• Termites: Hard to spot, but capable of silently destroying wood beams and flooring.

🚨 Why NYC Property Owners Need to Take Action Now

Pests in NYC aren’t just gross—they’re illegal. Under Local Law 55 of 2018, landlords are required to:

• Keep units free of pests, mold, and other indoor allergen hazards
• Use safe, effective methods like Integrated Pest Management (IPM)—not just sprays
• Provide ongoing education and documentation

Fail to comply? You’re risking HPD violations, 311 complaints, and court orders.

And don’t forget NYC Health Code Article 151. It outlines what’s expected of landlords and tenants regarding pest prevention—and it’s enforceable.

🧠 What Is IPM and Why Does NYC Require It?

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is not your grandpa’s bug spray. It’s a smarter, safer approach that combines prevention, sanitation, repairs, and selective pesticide use.

Key principles include:

• Fixing leaks and sealing holes
• Removing pest food and water sources
• Using traps, baits, and physical barriers
• Only using pesticides when necessary and only with licensed professionals

Learn more from the official NYC IPM Toolkit

🛠️ How Lead and Mold Detectives Solves NYC’s Pest Problems

🛠️ How Lead and Mold Detectives Solves NYC’s Pest Problems

Nobody understands New York real estate and regulation like we do. We’re not just exterminators—we’re certified environmental hazard specialists.

Here’s how we help homeowners, landlords, and tenants take control and stay compliant:

🔍 Full Pest Inspections

We identify pest entry points, infestations, and risk zones—from basements to boiler rooms. Plus, we document everything for legal or HPD compliance needs.

📋 Local Law 55 Compliance Plans

We provide full IPM-based remediation with legally compliant paperwork. Our services are designed around NYC’s specific housing laws.

🔧 Remediation + Repairs

We don’t just treat pests—we fix what attracts them: sealing holes, repairing leaks, and eliminating standing water. Our team handles lead and mold hazards, too, so you cover all your allergen risks in one go.

👨‍🏫 Tenant & Landlord Support

We provide clear instructions, documentation, and resources for tenants, so everyone’s doing their part. That reduces miscommunication and avoids blame games when inspections roll around.

📞 Follow-Up & Maintenance

We don’t disappear after a spray. We’ll check in, re-inspect, and help you stay protected through every season.

🏢 NYC Pest Control for Multi-Family Housing

If you manage a multi-unit building, pest issues get complicated fast. Lead and Mold Detectives specializes in multi-family compliance:

• We coordinate with supers, tenants, and contractors
• We inspect common areas, hallways, basements, and rooflines
• We provide building-wide IPM plans
• We help prepare for HPD inspections and resolve open violations

🎥 Must-Watch Pest Control Videos

Want to see what real NYC pest control looks like?

• 🪳 NYC Health Dept IPM for Property Managers
• 🐭 Rodent Prevention Tips for NYC Buildings
• 🧼 Pest-Free Housing: DOH Best Practices

📎 External Resources You Should Bookmark

• NYC HPD: Indoor Allergen Hazards – Mold & Pests
• NYC DOH IPM Toolkit (PDF)
• NYC Health Code Article 151 (PDF)
• Check a NYC Contractor License
• Report a Pest Problem via 311

✅ Final Word

You live in New York. You’ve got enough to deal with. Roaches, mice, and legal violations? That shouldn’t be on your list.

Let Lead and Mold Detectives protect your home or buildings. We know the laws. We know the city. And we know how to keep pests out.

📞 Schedule your inspection today
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