In the course of extreme weather conditions, unwanted pests such as rodents can become a vital issue for rental homes. If any chance the weather gets cold, rodents yearn and look for warmth and a stable food supply, making homes a very attractive shelter. Alternatively, during hot weather, rodents may invade residential areas seeking out water, hugely increasing the infestation risk. So, with their easily and quickly available food and water sources, our homes can be very appealing to rodents such as mice, squirrels, rats, and other pests.
Eliminate items attractive to pests
Keeping your rental home free of pests can be complex, except a few basic actions can go a long way in maintaining a rodent-free space. It’s primarily important to take proactive actions to eliminate potential food sources that might bring in these unwanted guests. Properly storing and disposing of food and waste and keeping your living space clean and tidy are great ways to prevent infestations.
Make certain to hastily remove or securely store pet food, bird seed, grass seed, and fallen fruit from fruit trees in sturdy plastic containers with solidly sealed lids to avoid attracting pests including rodents, insects, and other animals.
Seal entry points around the home
Another main 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 checked frequently to keep the seals intact.
Soaking cotton balls with peppermint oil and placing them where small bugs could certainly enter is a natural remedy that has been reported to work well (this endeavor also particularly leaves a good smell).
If you are drawn to provide pest control to your residents (plenty of states do not require owners of single-family homes to provide pest control, so look to your local statutes) and natural courses of action aren’t keeping the pests out, you may need to take advantage of traps or hire an exterminator to handle the problem. But definitely, using traps, poisons, or other means pose significant risks to residents and their pets unless used selectively and sufficiently well.
Maintain regular rodent-proofing
As a property owner, adding in rodent-proofing to your long list of weatherizing tasks may definitely be one heavy responsibility too many. But bear in mind, it’s critical to keep in mind that regular maintenance is key to keeping your property rodent-free. It can be taxing to always take into consideration to check the foundations and eaves of each property and monitor the home for its proper handling of potential pest-attracting food sources, but with that said, it’s an undertaking that just can’t be ignored.
You could manage all these tasks yourself, or you could hand them over them to Real Property Management Colonial. Our comprehensive property management programs not only keep rodents out but also make sure of the overall integrity of your property, keeping your residents contented and your investment safeguarded. Contact us online or call us at 540-595-7411 today to learn more when it comes to our property management services.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
