Management & Maintenance

6 Ways To Bug-Proof Your Rental Property

June 4, 2019

How To Deal With The Most Common Pests In Rental Housing

Here are 6 ways to bug-proof your rental property and keep your tenants happy which is this week’s maintenance tip from Keepe.

Bugs are always an unwanted guest for your tenants and can create unsanitary living conditions.

Because there are so many different types of bugs, bug proofing your rental property can sometimes feel like a losing battle.

Here are 6 ways to bug-proof your rental property and hopefully these simple two-cost steps will help.

1. Seal doors

Examine the around your doors. It’s common to find small cracks large enough for bugs to get in. To keep insects from crawling underneath the door, you can install a steel or aluminum threshold under the door. For even better protection, combine the threshold with a nylon door sweep.

The sweep helps cover the gap between the threshold and the door bottom for even better protection against bugs.

2. Add screens

Especially during summer days, many tenants like to rely on natural ventilation from windows. Unfortunately, this is also the worst time for mosquitos, fleas and other insects to come into your home.

By installing screens on all windows and doors, your tenants can keep the ventilation of fresh air while also protecting against pests.

6 Ways To Bug-Proof Your Rental Property — Screens are important to keep bugs out when tenants want fresh air.

3. Repair cracks

Because bugs are small, they are able to enter from cracks that may be nearly invisible to the rental property owner and tenants. Start by examining the exterior for any damaged, loose, missing, or rotting sections. You could be surprised by the number of openings you find.

To keep the bugs out of these cracks, use mortar or cement to patch foundations, replace damaged bricks and remove rotting wood. If there are any areas susceptible to termites, you may add cement backer board to reinforce the area and prevent termite damage. Caulk is also amazing at repairing small cracks around the exterior of your rental. Use caulk around window frames and roofs to really seal openings.

4. Store trash properly – get your tenants involved in this

As many know, bugs are attracted to trash and debris. Trash can be a gourmet meal to cockroaches and fruit flies. You need to be sure your tenants are involved in keeping the rental clean and being aware of how trash can attract bugs.

Ask your tenants to keep all food trash in the kitchen, instead of throughout the house. This will minimize the areas bugs will most likely go. Additionally, the trash should have a lid and be emptied once a day.

5. Dry up damp areas

Bugs don’t only seek food, like trash, but also water. There are many types of insects that prefer living in damp spaces. To prevent this, fix and replace any leaky faucets, drains or pipes. Inspect your air conditioner, washing machine and dryer to make sure they are all working properly.

You may also need to check the attic to make sure there are no leaks. If there are areas that feel damp, try using a dehumidifier.

6. Kill the bugs you see

Even if after bug-proofing your rental you may see bugs around so kill them immediately.

If your tenants have killed bugs, ask them to provide a photo of what they found so you can act. Of course there are many insect control products on the market, but to give yourself and your tenants peace of mind you may want to call an exterminator to take care of this problem. Your tenants will appreciate your concern and your action.

1. Seal doors

2. Add screens

3. Repair cracks

4. Store trash properly – get your tenants involved in this

5. Dry up damp areas

6. Kill the bugs you see

Other recent rental property maintenance Keepe posts you may have missed:

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