How to Manage Pest Control in Your Rented Apartment
Creepy crawly creatures may be the stuff of nightmares for many, but they can too often end up as unwanted roommates in your rented apartment. With multiple tenants living in close quarters and plenty of nook and crannies to hide and prosper, multifamily properties are fertile ground for pests of all kinds. It can be a significant headache for the building's occupants but also the landlords. So, how can you manage pest control in your apartment?
Both residents and landlords must play their part in keeping the unit free of pests. Some factors, such as season changes or the general environment in a city, are likely to contribute to harmful animals and bugs making their way into your home, but it is not a fatality. Here is how to put all the chances on your side to keep pests at bay.
Who is responsible for pest control in a rented apartment?
Landlords and tenants must work hand in hand to avoid pest invasion.
It is the landlord’s responsibility to provide a property that is up to living standards and, by definition, free of pests. Specific regulations vary by state, but in Massachusetts, the law states that the landlord is responsible for eradicating insects and rodents.
Property management involvement is often necessary for pest control in multifamily properties since the issue needs to be managed globally to be effective. For example, it is preferable that all the units and the outside of the property be treated simultaneously to eradicate the problem entirely and avoid bugs and rodents moving back and forth between the dwellings.
The landlord should also properly maintain the common areas (including less-visited spaces, such as the utility and storage rooms) and the landscaping. These two elements could significantly contribute to pest propagation if neglected. For example, wasps, mice, rats, spiders, and termites are more likely to make themselves home if overgrown grassy areas surround the dwelling.
That said, tenants can also be held responsible for apartment pest control and may need to pay for their unit – and, in some cases, the entire building – to be treated if their behavior caused the pest invasion. Dirty and cluttered apartments littered with overlooked dishes and overflowing garbage cans are more likely to attract pests that could quickly affect the surrounding units. If the landlord can prove that the tenants are neglecting the property, causing undesirable animals to move in, and endangering other tenants’ health and enjoyment of their dwelling, they can demand that tenants be responsible for the cost of pest remediation or even evict them.
For the sake of both parties, the best way to establish responsibility when it comes to apartment pest control is to include policies and expectations in writing in the lease.
Which preventive measures can you take for apartment pest control?
The best way to avoid dealing with pests is to be proactive and prevent mice and other undesirable creatures from taking over.
For landlords:
Make sure that your building is neat and well-maintained, including common areas – particularly rooms that are often overlooked, such as utility rooms and trash disposal areas. Check that your tenants have enough bins at their disposal and that they are cleaned regularly. If your town has a recycling system, ensure that everything is labeled correctly.
Establish a system for more oversized items (furniture, old mattresses, etc.) to be picked up rapidly and avoid clutter.
Keep areas surrounding your property neat and tidy, including landscaping and side alleys. Stay on top of exterior maintenance (roof, siding, windows, doors, and so on) so bugs and rodents have a harder time finding their way inside.
Fix water leaks rapidly since they tend to attract pests and could damage the building.
Finally, set up preventive pest control remediation spraying and inspections seasonally to stop the problem before it starts.
For tenants:
Stay on top of general cleaning to avoid infestations. Spilled food, dirty dishes, crunchy floors, and overflowing garbage cans will rapidly attract bugs and rodents. Swipe the counters often and store food in sealed containers and regularly check for spoiled goods.
If you have pets, make sure that they are flea and tick-free and clean their feeding area and bowls often.
Leaky pipes attract rodents: if you notice any signs of moisture under the sink, notify the landlord or property management company at once, preferably in writing.
Be mindful of what you bring inside your home. Pests often hitch a ride on other items, from secondhand furniture to the cardboard boxes holding your delivery, particularly insects like cockroaches and ants. Check every element carefully before bringing them indoors and dispose of them if you are feeling suspicious. Bed bugs are also notorious for invading your space after traveling.
Examine your home regularly for signs of entrances, especially in the kitchen, around the windows, the doors, and so on. Ask that all cracks be sealed to avoid infestations.
Get rid of clutter as much as possible. Pest love nooks and crannies and unused items lying undisturbed for a long time is the perfect breeding ground.
If you notice signs of infestation, make sure to notify your landlord or property management company at once to decide on what the next steps might be.
How to get rid of pests in an apartment
Some undesirable housemates sometimes find their way inside even when landlords and tenants stay on top of preventive pest control in the apartment. If you notice any signs of infestation, it is essential to spring into action immediately to avoid the issue getting out of control. The longer you wait, the faster bugs and rodents will propagate, and the bigger the damages will be. Besides, pests can constitute a serious health hazard in many cases.
Tenants should immediately take action to deep clean their unit, getting rid of any possible source of infestation. It is also beneficial to identify which type of intruder they are facing since the treatments and solutions can be very different from one species to the next. After notifying the property management company and landlord, they can start the job by putting up traps or looking for natural remedies depending on the situation.
Landlords will need to call on professional pest control services. Not only are they the best equipped to get rid of the present issue effectively, but they can also take steps or advise the property owners on how to prevent it in the future. For example, they may need to seal outdoor cracks or spray regularly.
Effective apartment pest control depends heavily on the cooperation between landlords and tenants. If both parties put their best effort forward in properly maintaining the property, most pest infestation can be prevented or be dealt with swiftly.