Landlords are responsible for keeping their properties in a fit and habitable condition, which includes keeping them pest-free. Pests can cause property damage, tenant complaints, tenant turnover, and many health and safety issues. Because of these issues, and many more, it’s never too early to think about pest control. Here are a few simple things you and your tenants can do to make sure your property stays pest-free.
Seal Doors
Examine the spaces around your doors. It’s very common that you’ll find small cracks big enough for bugs to get in. To prevent them from getting inside, add a steel or aluminum threshold under the door. You can also combine this with a nylon door sweep which will cover the gap between the threshold and door bottom to make an even better seal against bugs.
Repair Cracks
On the exterior of the property, check the building’s foundation as well as gaps around pipes, vents, windows, and doors. On the interior, check basements, common areas, tenant’s apartments, attics, and crawl spaces. Pests can fit into even the smallest of openings, so it’s important to seal every possible entry point.
Add Screens
Especially during warm, summer days, tenants are likely to crack open their windows to allow in a fresh breeze. However, this also invites pests into the property including mosquitos, fleas, and other insects into the property as well. Installing screens on all of your windows and doors will allow tenants to still keep the ventilation of fresh air they enjoy while preventing any pests from entering as well.
Store Trash Properly
As many are already aware, bugs, mice, and many other pests are attracted to trash. Cockroaches and fruit flies especially love to find an easily attainable bag of trash. In order to prevent this, make sure you have proper waste bins that are sturdy and have secure lids. Regularly inspect them for any cracks or holes that may occur. Work together with your tenants to ensure that their trash gets put inside the bins and not on their front doorstep or simply placed next to the bins.
Call a Professional
If preventative measures aren’t sufficient and you still see abundant amounts of pests, it may be time to call in an exterminator. Key signs for this are major infestations, having to seal off areas of the property due to pests, or if bed bugs have been reported.