Living in a pest-free environment is vital for one’s well-being. Pests spread diseases all around them, with some even going as far as biting or scratching people, severely affecting their physical and mental health.
Dealing with pest infestation is always challenging, requiring much time and effort. This is especially true regarding rental properties, as you must coordinate your actions with your landlord.
Still, there are ways to spot an infestation early and handle it before it poses any significant risk to you and your family.
Signs Of Pest Infestations
To successfully fight pest infestation, you need to recognise the early signs.
This will allow you to take necessary measures before the pests spread throughout the property:
- Droppings. Pest dropping could be any faecal or urine trails. Waste from smaller pests such as bed bugs or cockroaches is harder to spot, so you must often examine your floors and bedding.
- Nesting. Rodents will look to create a nest from pretty much anything they can find. Ensure you regularly inspect popular nesting sites, such as between walls and secluded spaces in your home, especially if you hear noises and scratching.
- Dead Bodies. If you notice a lot of dead insects or find their bodies regularly, chances are that you may have an infestation that is well hidden from you. Contacting your landlord and organising a pest technician to inspect the premises is a good idea.
- Physical Damage. Rodents love to chew things. You probably have another tenant skipping rent if you notice any gnaw marks or holes.
Paying close attention to the signs and spotting them early will save you a lot of time and effort when dealing with an infestation.
What To Do When Your Rental Property Is Infested With Pests
If you have failed to notice the signs, or there weren’t any and discovered that you have an infestation a little too late, there is still hope.
Depending on the type of severity of the infestation, the steps you take may vary, but there are some that you should always follow.
Document The Case
Whenever you find yourself in a situation where you must fight an infestation, being thorough is necessary.
Based on your lease, it may be the landlord’s or the tenant’s responsibility to handle such situations. It is essential to keep proper documentation to avoid being charged for something that is not your responsibility.
From when you first spotted the issue to any steps you have taken to avoid it. If you need to reach out to a specialist, then ensure that you get every finding in writing and confirm the probable cause for the infestation.
Seal The Property If Necessary
You are probably dealing with a rodent if you notice gnaw marks or strange hold at the premises. To help resolve the issue, it is vital to seal the property accordingly.
Discuss this with your landlord and contact a specialist who will be able to inspect the premises and seal any holes that may allow the rodents to get into the premises.
Try DIY Extermination Methods
Pest control is an expensive service, especially when hiring an exterminator. As a result, many tenants would rather seek DIY solutions to resolve the problem.
Common examples of these solutions include manually removing or destroying any nests, blocking holes, windows, and doorways with foam, using temperature control methods to kill pests, or placing baits and traps to catch and remove rodents from your property.
Hire A Professional Pest Control Service
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, a DIY solution is not sufficient. You may want to reach out to a professional in the following situations:
- Children are living on the property: Pests carry a lot of germs and bacteria that are harmful to the human body. The chemicals used to get rid of pests can also be dangerous. If you have children living on the property, you should not take any risks and call a pro.
- Infestation gets worse or does not go away: Even after you try to deal with the situation using DIY solutions, the infestation only seems to worsen. In this case, it is time to call for help.
- Infestation clears up and reoccurs: This a rather common situation for many. You may think you managed to get rid of the problem, only for it to return in a few days, creating a never-ending cycle of dealing with pests repeatedly.
- Dealing with rodents: You may find it impossible to eradicate if you have a rat infestation and no experience. Rats are usually active at night and can cause significant damage to your property in no time. Do not waste time trying to get rid of them on your own.
Move Out If Necessary
You may be allowed to break the lease and move out in case of a serious infestation. Vacating the property will enable the landlord to organise a thorough end of tenancy cleaning and a professional pest control solution to get the property clean and pest free.
Tips On Preventing A Rental Property From Being Infested With Pests
Conducting property maintenance at least twice a year and having regular cleaning services at least twice a month will significantly reduce the risk of the property getting infested.
While prevention and removal of pests usually fall in the hands of the landlord, it is usually a joint effort by both parties to ensure that the right living conditions are met.
While the homeowner can and should arrange for a season preventative pest control, the tenants occupying the premises and keeping it in good condition are their responsibility.
In addition, regular property repairs and maintenance are vital to keeping the premises pest free, as it allows you to seal any entrances to the premises while fixing issues that could create a breeding environment for pests.
Who Is Responsible For The Rental Property’s Pest Control?
It can differ from one lease to another, but the general rule is that the responsibility for pest control and keeping infestations away are part of the landlord’s responsibility.
If an infestation occurs, a specialist can determine what is the leading cause for that. Sometimes, a tenant’s living behaviours lead to an unpleasant situation.
In such cases, the residents of the premises can be held liable, and payment for professional services may be requested from them.
However, it is the landlord’s responsibility to find a way to prove who is at fault for the situation.
Conclusion
Dealing with pests is never easy. While there are DIY tricks and tips that can help you get rid of the infestation, more often than not, professional help is required.
It is significantly easier to prevent pests than deal with them, so ensure your landlord stays on top of the property maintenance and organises seasonal pest prevention visits.
As a tenant, ensure that your household or a cleaning company regularly conducts cleaning services to avoid creating an environment that attracts pests.
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