With all the potential amenities that properties can offer residents, there is one that managers know for sure residents don’t want: smelly condos and patios.

Foul odors offend current residents and deter prospects from considering the property by signaling an unsanitary living space. But while bad smells are definitely a turn-off for humans, they are a huge turn-on for pests. Unpleasant odors from decaying organic material signal the presence of food to flies, cockroaches and rodents. When food and other organic debris break down, it becomes a breeding ground for pests and malodorous bacteria in trashcans, drains and dumpsters.

So how do you prevent your property from becoming a victim to stench? Make a comprehensive sanitation program your main weapon. The more often and thoroughly you clean key areas, the less organic debris will be left to decompose, produce bad smells and attract pests. Educate your residents in newsletters or on door hangers about the importance of sanitation. Inform them about ways they can help reduce the presence of foul odors. Recommend the following tips:

* Keep trashcans properly lined and tightly sealed
* Don’t store trash on the patio
* Remove garbage regularly to dumpsters located far from the building
* Clean up food and drink spills immediately
* Do not leave dirty dishes in the sink overnight

While residents play an important role in the fight for fresh air, management has to uphold their end of the deal as well. Work with your pest management professional to determine high-risk areas and develop a regular sanitation regimen to prevent problems. Make sure to implement the following sanitation measures:

* Have your waste management company empty dumpsters regularly
* Wash down sidewalks and parking lots to remove leftover debris
* Position dumpsters far from the building(s) and do not permit trash to accumulate in compounds
* Rotate and clean dumpsters on a set schedule
* Keep dumpster lids closed
* Ask your provider to replace damaged, leaking or heavily soiled dumpsters
* Use an organic drain cleaner, which uses naturally occurring enzymes to break down grease and grime, to clean dumpsters and drains in common areas

Sanitation is the first step to prevent bad smells, but if odor problems persist, the odor management techniques of masking and elimination can help. Masking consists of producing a pleasant smell to cover up an unpleasant one by using masking agents such as over-the-counter sprays. Airflow also can help hide offensive odors. If necessary, strategic placement of fans near doors leading to waste disposal areas will reduce the disagreeable smells that waft inside from exterior dumpsters.

Although masking is a simple and effective way to hide stench, it only works temporarily. Elimination methods can help prevent foul odors by removing their source through stringent sanitation practices. Ask your pest management professional about disinfectants that can kill odor-producing bacteria and products designed to find the odorous organic substance and speed decomposition. If appropriate for your facility, application of these materials can help manage malodorous debris.

It’s important to remember that teamwork is the glue that holds an effective odor management program together. Work with the homeowners’ association, your pest management professional and waste management company to implement a rigorous sanitation regimen that will ensure residents can wake up and smell the roses.

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Author : Patrick T. Copps, MS, BCE
Company : Orkin Commercial Services
Patrick Copps is the technical services manager for Orkin’s Pacific Division.

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