Pests such as rats, bedbugs and roaches are a common fear among apartment dwellers, but the truth is that they can be a bigger nightmare for the property management team. Pest management is an essential part of taking care of a living, breathing investment property, and sometimes it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the amount of problems that can pile up.. If you are invested in making sure that your apartment building stays problem-free, there are a few pest control methods that you should keep in mind.
Plan
There is no way to control pests without a plan. Too many property managers simply allow the worst to happen before they decide what they are going to do. This is far too reactive, and by the time you have put a plan together, it is often too late. Talk with an exterminator that you trust and ask him or her to draw up a plan for you. Ask them to tell you what pests are common to your area and what a good procedure to deal with them might be. For example, what should you do if you have reports of a bedbug infestation? What should you do if a resident sees mouse? If you have a plan, you will be able to leap into action.
Communicate with Your Residents
Your residents need to know about your pest control plans.. Pass out pamphlets about the pests that are indigenous to the surrounding area and what the residents should do to avoid them. Remind your tenants that there is no penalty for reporting the pest. In some cases, it is a good idea to get the handouts translated into several languages. You’ll be better off if you keep your residents informed.
Household Chores
There are a number of household chores that residents can undertake to make sure that their apartments stay pest-free. Here are few tips that that can help with pest prevention in your home:
-Lift up the top of the stove or range and clean thoroughly
-Move refrigerator one a month to clean and vacuum the crumbs underneath
-Clean sinks with a bleach-based cleaner once a week
Seal the Perimeter
Perform regular inspections around the perimeter of the building to make sure that any cracks or holes in siding, stucco or finish work are sealed. While it is impossible to seal off all the ways that pests can get in, you can mitigate matters greatly by making sure that obvious entrances are blocked off. While you are walking around your building, take the time to trim back any undergrowth or foliage that has grown up to the apartment building’s walls. Any leaf cover can offer pests the path they need to scuttle up to your building and to find a way in.
When you are considering hiring an exterminator, don’t just settle for taking care of the problem that currently exists. Instead, take the long view and make sure that you keep your apartment building pest-free.
Author Bio: Rose McMillan is an experienced pest control professional, turned freelance writer. She has worked with several reputable pest control companies in the past, but now wants to share her knowledge with others and help them prevent pest infestations. Sources: Terminix Pest Library.