Strata and multi-unit properties face pest challenges that single homes don't. Pests don't recognise unit boundaries — cockroaches, bed bugs and rodents travel between units through shared wall cavities, plumbing and ventilation. A pest problem in one unit can quickly become a building-wide issue, and without a coordinated approach, treating individual units is like playing whack-a-mole.
The most common strata pests are cockroaches (spreading between units through shared plumbing), bed bugs (introduced by tenants and spreading between adjacent units), rodents (travelling between units via wall cavities and roof voids), termites (affecting the building structure, not just one unit), and birds and possums (nesting in shared roof voids). Each requires a coordinated, building-wide approach rather than individual unit treatment.
Under the Strata Schemes Management Act, termite management for the building structure is a strata responsibility. Annual termite inspections of the building are essential — failure to maintain termite protection can result in strata liability for structural damage. A strata pest program includes quarterly servicing of common areas (foyers, hallways, garbage rooms, car parks, plant rooms), annual termite inspections of the building structure, and a defined response protocol for tenant pest reports — including who is responsible (owner, tenant or strata) for different pest types.
Universal Pest Control provides strata pest programs for property managers and strata schemes across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland and the Hunter. Our coordinated, building-wide programs cover common areas, individual units and structural termite management — with clear documentation for strata records and dispute resolution.