You deserve better than "better than nothing."

Straight out of a horror movie come the Water Bugs, these large American Cockroaches, right up through the piping and into your bath tub (hopefully you are not sitting in the tub at that very moment).  This overflow drain was apparently the source of access for the bugs, and so the resident took it upon himself to tape up the slot with masking tape, and then put steel wool around the bottom gap.  It looks ugly, won't last long, and it might even cause damage to the tub.

To minimize Water Bugs getting into your bath tub: 1) have your Pest Elimination team inspect and make regular treatments to bathrooms, kitchens, and all areas where pipes come into your apartment, 2) if you have a tub or sink that you don't use regularly, you should periodically run water down the drain to prevent Water Bugs from harboring in these tunnels, 3) invest in the proper caps or lids or plugs for your drains, overflows, etc., and keep them on at all times.  Masking tape is better than nothing, but you deserve better than "better than nothing."