Rodents are ubiquitous in any home but can cause havoc in a rental. Multiple units and occupants can attract rats in various ways, and once an infestation has begun, it is tough to control. Property managers are aware that they must address the issue immediately, but how can they do so effectively? Prevention, management, and tenant communication can help everyone be on the same page to drive rodents out. Here are some techniques:
Remove Points of Entry
Finding out how the bugs got in is the first order of business. Mice can squeeze through gaps as narrow as human hair. Mice can enter via holes the size of a penny they have chewed. Mice can chew through walls and enter through a hole the size of a coin. The majority of prevention can be accomplished by rigorous inspection.
Eliminate Food Sources
Mice don’t eat much, but they can contaminate huge food stores. That Costco-purchased huge box of cereal is useless unless the tenants want to risk a bowl of hantavirus for breakfast. Mice are resourceful critters who will probe kitchens in search of new foods to eat.
Lay Traps
To eliminate an existing infestation, traps should be set. Because mice often move in groups, numerous traps will be required. Whether you pick the traditional snap trap or the capture-and-release method, be prepared to check for success periodically and dispose of mice swiftly. Depending on whether or not the flat is occupied, property managers and tenants should set traps along the walls and use bait like peanut butter to lure mice. Must read Rodent Control in New Caney
Clear Out Storage Spaces
Rodents can infest shared spaces in your building, such as an attached storage unit or basement before you or your tenants realize it. Landlords should conduct an annual cleanup and check and treat the space for bugs to avoid further infestation.
Use Peppermint Oil
Some suggest that peppermint essential oil or peppermint plants effectively repel mice and spiders, two pests that most tenants prefer to avoid. Property managers can apply a tiny amount of peppermint oil around areas of the probable entrance.
Maintain a Well-Manicured Lawn
Mice, like humans, are sneaky little crooks who like to conceal themselves after stealing into a building. Both types of criminals can be deterred by regularly trimming the landscaping outside the building. Regular maintenance has many advantages, including reducing the likelihood of insect infestation and improving the property’s curb appeal.
Get a Cat
Having a nature-engineered pest-control service as a tenant isn’t foolproof, but it does have its advantages. The presence of cats can deter mice from rental properties and attract reputable tenants if you’re on the fence about permitting pets.
It is important to evaluate your lease and include any necessary protection measures before agreeing to any allowance to ensure that the agreement is fair to both sides. Most cats enjoy keeping the rodent population in check, but landlords should still impose sensible limits on the number of animals permitted per dwelling.
Must Read: 3 REASONS WHY COCKROACHES ARE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL
Conclusion
Pest management is typically the responsibility of the property owner. However, this does not mean that the tenant is always free of liability. Tenants must keep the property in good repair by ensuring it meets minimum sanitary requirements. Unless the renter is negligent, the landlord is liable for pest control. Fullscope Pest Control has a team of experts ready to assist you in getting rid of pests!
