Managing Pests in Rental Properties – A Landlord’s Guide
It is the landlord’s responsibility for pest control and to keep their rental property in a habitable condition for their tenants. As a landlord, you should check for pest infestations and eliminate them. Use integrated pest management as a preventive measure.
4 Major Issues That Pests Cause
1. Damage to the Property
Pests are capable of damaging your rental property. For instance, rodents can chew through the walls of the property and possibly water lines. Get pest control done immediately if you notice pests in the rental property.
Like boxelder bugs are commonly found thorough easter United States. Boxelder bugs are a common summer nuisance. Though harmless, it can still be startling to find one crawling up your arm or on your couch pillow. You can look for some tips on how to get rid of box elder bugs or can call a professional pest control expert.
2. Complaints by Tenants
Tenants want to live in a pest-free and clean rental property. If they see any pests in the house, they will complain. Your reputation will be ruined if they complain to the health department directly without notifying you.
3. Turnover of Tenants
You cannot expect the tenants to live in your rental property if they have to co-exist with pests. They will vacate and move to a different place, and you will have difficulty finding new tenants.
4. Health Issues
As per the landlord-tenant law, every landlord must keep the rental property in a habitable condition. You need to immediately address the issue if there is any pest infestation.
Common Pests Seen in Rental Properties
Some common pests which are usually seen in rental properties include:
- Rodents
- Ants
- Fleas
- Wasps
- Bedbugs
- Cockroaches
- Mosquitoes
- Termites
- Insects
4 Steps that Landlords Should Follow to Deal with Pests
Here are some ways to proceed if there is a pest infestation in your rental:
Address the Problem Quickly
If the tenant complains about pest infestation, address the complaint immediately. Pests and rodents have the ability to breed very quickly, which is why you need to act fast.
Getting rid of pests when they are fewer is easier than dealing with a large-scale infestation.
Identify the Pest
First, you need to identify the pest that is infesting your property. Based on that, you can decide on the extermination methods. Don’t just rely on what the tenants told you about the pests. They may confuse one pest for another and relay the wrong information.
Different pests and insects require different extermination methods. For example, you can use insecticides to eliminate insects and rat poison for rodents like rats. Look for pest droppings and other signs that may indicate the type of pest.
If you are unable to determine it yourself, call an exterminator to identify the pest. Get a rodent, insect, and termite inspection done.
Identify the Entry Points
Next, you need to understand how the pests are getting into your property or where exactly they are nesting.
Rodents usually get into the property through cracks, crevices, and holes. Insects get easy access to your house through vents and drain pipes.
Landlords can look for some termite prevention tips to keep the termites away. If you notice bed bug bites, check for bed bug infestation under the beds and sofas. They can hide in drapes and cracks as well. Call in a bed bug exterminator to deal with it.
Call an Exterminator
When you know what type of pests you are dealing with, you can call the exterminator to eliminate them. They will have the right tools and techniques to exterminate the pests. Discuss the approach you would like to take with the exterminator and proceed with the best option. Call for rodent and bed bug extermination professionals, if required.
Whatever method you choose, ensure that you do not jeopardize the health and safety of the tenants. Ensure that before any tenant moves in, your rental property is clean and pest-free.
Author Bio:
When people find their homes and offices infested with pests, it is not uncommon for them to panic. Raymond Web has taken the task to educate people on pest prevention and control strategies helping them keep their surroundings healthy, safe and pest-free. Being the digital marketing manager for Take Care Termite and Pest Control, in Tracy, CA, he has an in-depth understanding of people and their pain points due to pests, which he uses in his content to educate.
