Meet Roland: Keeping Unwanted Pests Out

Sep 15

If you’ve seen Roland around your property, there’s a good reason. Roland is HOPE’s pest control contractor. He visits HOPE’s affordable housing properties each month to look for pests such as ants, cockroaches, bed bugs, mice and rats, as well as things that could allow them to get inside.

Regular pest control is one of the ways HOPE works to identify problems early and help ensure our housing is a safe and healthy place to call home. But according to Roland, residents can help too.

A Few Tips from Roland

See something? Say something. You won’t get in trouble. If you see ants, cockroaches, bed bugs, mice or rats, tell your property management provider. Pest problems can happen, and reporting one does not mean you did something wrong. Some pest problems can become a risk to your health and safety if they are not addressed. Telling someone early helps us take care of the problem before it gets bigger.
Wipe your counters and clean up spills. Crumbs, food and spills can attract ants and cockroaches. Wipe counters after preparing or eating food and clean up spills when they happen.
Put food away. Keep food in closed containers and off the floor. Throw away empty food containers instead of leaving them around your home. Food left out can attract ants, cockroaches and mice.
Sweep and vacuum regularly. Pay attention to corners and areas where crumbs can collect. Clean floors can also make it easier to notice signs that mice, cockroaches or other pests have been around.
Keep doors closed when you can. Mice and rats can get inside through an open door, even during the day.
Keep trash and recycling away from your door. Food containers, cans and bottles can attract cockroaches, mice and rats. Take trash out regularly and, when possible, keep recycling away from the entrance to your home.
Rinse your fruit. Fruit from the store can sometimes bring fruit flies home with it. Give fruit a rinse before putting it away.
Don’t bring home furniture left outside. Bed bugs can hide in mattresses, couches and padded chairs. Don’t bring furniture into your home if you find it left outside.

As Roland puts it, pest control and keeping your home clean go hand in hand. These steps can help prevent pests from moving in but finding them does not mean you did something wrong. The important thing is to report the problem early so it can be addressed before it gets bigger.

What to Expect When Roland Visits

Roland has worked in pest control since 2007 and has been taking care of HOPE properties since 2022. He visits HOPE’s affordable housing properties once a month, and his focus is prevention and observation. He is looking for signs of pests and spotting things that could lead to a problem.

When Roland arrives, he’ll introduce himself and ask if you’ve noticed anything:

“Is there anything flying, crawling or slithering that you’re not happy with?”

Tell him what you've seen—even if it seems small. It can help him figure out what is getting inside and where it may be coming from.

Roland will not always need to come inside your home. During most visits, he will inspect the outside and around the perimeter of the property. If you have noticed a pest problem, you are welcome to let him inside so he can take a closer look.

If Roland sees signs of an insect or rodent infestation that may require him to enter your home, he will report it to HOPE. We will provide you with notice before he needs to come inside. Once inside, Roland will check kitchens and bathrooms, under sinks, inside cabinets and around doors and windows. He looks for signs of pests, but he also looks for things that can attract them or give them a place to hide, such as food left out, moisture, cluttered areas, gaps under doors or openings around pipes.

Outside, he looks for things like standing water, damaged screens, openings around the building or plants touching the property. If he notices a maintenance problem that could contribute to pests, he reports it so it can be addressed.

Roland’s monthly visit isn’t just about spraying for pests. In fact, he tries not to spray inside unless it is needed. Much of his work is about finding a problem early or preventing one from happening in the first place. And if there’s a spider web in your garage or closet that you’d like gone, Roland is happy to help with that, too.

Before Roland comes inside, one of the best things you can do is sweep or vacuum and pick up items from the floor. This gives him a clearer view and makes it easier to see signs of pests or treat an area if needed.

For Roland, It’s About Helping People

After nearly 20 years in pest control, Roland says his favorite part of the job is simple: helping others.

Sometimes that means getting rid of ants or cockroaches. Other times, it means finding the opening that is allowing a mouse or rat to get inside. What Roland enjoys most is being able to tell a resident who is worried about a problem, “I have a solution.”

That personal approach is also part of Roland’s connection to HOPE.

Roland grew up alongside a cousin who has a developmental disability. The two aren’t just family; they’re friends. They’ve gone to Lakers games, baseball games and plenty of concerts together.

“We’re all the same,” Roland says. “We just may have something different.”

Roland says working with HOPE has helped him grow as a business owner, too. The consistency of the work has helped him strengthen the business side of pest control, including how he works with customers, uses agreements and contracts, and communicates what people should expect.

Working with HOPE residents has shaped another part of his business: how he trains people. As Roland develops training for future technicians, he is including what he has learned about patience, understanding and compassion when entering someone’s home.

Caring for our properties means paying attention to small concerns before they become bigger problems. Routine pest control is one part of HOPE’s commitment to providing stable, safe and comfortable homes. By investing in preventative care and working with trusted partners like Roland, we can better protect our properties and the people who call them home.

So the next time you see Roland around your property or hear a knock at your door, you’ll know who’s there and why. And if there’s something flying, crawling or slithering around that you’re not happy with? Tell him. That’s exactly why he’s there.

Who to Contact About a Pest Problem:

Norwalk, Long Beach, Bellflower, Lakewood or Torrance

Appleby Property Management

(562) 432-3322
or (562) 225-7117

—————————————————————————————-

Pasadena or Glendale

Lotus Property Management

Make a ticket in the Appfolio Tenant Portal

——————————————————————————————

A HOPE licensed home

HOPE Help Line

Call the HOPE Help Line at (877) 311-4673

Inez Ward