There are numerous pests that can infest multifamily housing. Roaches, bedbugs, and rodents are just some of the primary offenders. Following are some important facts to keep in mind as you consider pest control:
Education. To make sure that you keep your building as pest free as possible, spend some time educating your residents. Print up an educational fact sheets. You can place these in your “new resident” packet. This is not to make your residents suspect a problem when there isn’t one- its education and preparedness. You are telling residents that if there is ever an issue, that you, the property manager, are prepared to address it.
No-Fault Reporting. Some residents are hesitant to report small pests problems because they are afraid that they will be blamed. This can allow a small problem to spread until it is a major one. Instead, make it very clear that people who report problems will not be accused, evicted or otherwise punished. This may seem over-the-top, but it happens, unfortunately. Emphasize that reported pests problems will be solved, without blame.
Maintenance Pest Control. Consider contracting with a local exterminator that you can work with, and put together a pest maintenance schedule. In some cases, the best defense is a good offense. There are some very mild pesticides that can be put down that will discourage pests of all types from entering your building in the first place. Take some time to think about what kind of procedures you want to institute. Regular spraying in certain key spots can make things a lot easier for your asset in the long run. Discuss what options will suit your situation best with your exterminator.
Stay Diligent. Many good property management habits can keep your buildings pest free. Encourage your residents to ask maintenance staff to fix drips and holes. Holes allow insects and mammals to crawl in, while drips encourage insects that are drawn to water. Make sure that you fix any torn screens that you see, and that you seal cracks in places like the kitchen and the bathroom when you are dealing with newly vacated units. In addition to that, make sure that the brush around the property is trimmed back from building walls, as this prevents outdoor pests from getting inside.
Treat Immediately. When it comes to pest management, it is always better to treat an issue sooner rather than later. If you can fix a problem while it is still small, you have a much better chance of addressing it completely. Pest control is something that takes both time and effort, so be sure that you get a head start if you can.
Make sure your multifamily units stays pest free, take steps to be prepared. These preventative measures can save you from high expenses and frustrating months down the line.
Reprint from MultifamilyInsight.net by Rose McMillan
Rose McMillan is an experienced pest control professional from Long Island, NY. She has worked with multiple pest control companies and now wants to share her knowledge with others through blogging.