Through extreme weather conditions, unwanted pests such as rodents can become an important issue for rental homes. When, as it happens, the weather gets cold, rodents go in search for warmth and a stable food supply, making homes a prime and attractive shelter. Then, during hot weather, rodents may invade residential areas seeking water, hugely increasing the infestation risk. In addition to that, with their clearly available food and water sources, our homes can be very appealing to rodents including mice, squirrels, rats, and other pests.
Eliminate items attractive to pests
Keeping your rental home free of pests can be certainly challenging, but take note, just a few basic actions can go a long way in maintaining a rodent-free space. It’s significantly important to take proactive methodologies to eliminate potential food sources that might entice these undesirable guests. Properly storing and disposing of food and waste and keeping your living space clean and tidy are necessary ways to prevent infestations.
Be certain to instantly remove or securely store pet food, bird seed, grass seed, and fallen fruit from fruit trees in sturdy plastic containers with completely sealed lids to avoid attracting pests such as rodents, insects, and other animals.
Seal entry points around the home
Another important task to keep rodents out is to seal all potential entry points around the home’s foundation, eaves, and soffits. Any gaps or holes should be filled with steel mesh, caulk, or plaster and observed frequently to keep the seals intact.
Soaking cotton balls with peppermint oil and placing them where small bugs perhaps can enter is a natural remedy that has been reported to work well (this practice also fortunately leaves a fantastic smell).
If you are obligated to provide pest control to your residents (most states do not require owners of single-family homes to provide pest control, so look to your local statutes) and natural steps aren’t keeping the pests out, you may need to use traps or hire an exterminator to handle the problem. Unmistakably, using traps, poisons, or other efforts pose significant risks to residents and their pets unless used selectively and thoroughly well.
Maintain regular rodent-proofing
As a property owner, putting in rodent-proofing to your long list of weatherizing tasks may truly seem like one heavy responsibility too many. But actually, it’s principally important to constantly remember that regular maintenance is key to keeping your property rodent-free. It can be hard to consistently consider to check the foundations and eaves of each property and monitor the home for its proper dealing of potential pest-attracting food sources, but take note, it’s a task that can’t be left unattended to.
You could attend to all these tasks yourself, or you could commission them to Real Property Management Delta. Our comprehensive property management programs not only keep rodents out but also completely make sure of the overall integrity of your property, keeping your residents delighted and your investment safe. Contact us online or call us at 501-404-0674 today to figure out more with regard to our property management services.
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