The thought of pests in your home can send shivers down your spine. Even worse, their presence can cause serious headaches when you end your lease, as you may lose your security deposit or even receive a bad rental reference.
Sounds too scary? Then don’t let pests get in the way of you having a stress-free exit. You’re in luck because we will walk you through everything you need to do: from spotting the first signs of trouble and taking action, to teaming up with your landlord to fix the problem.
Why Pest Control Is Key When Leaving a Rental
Pests can be a real nuisance and cause significant problems when ending a lease. It’s essential, however, to ensure the property is free of them before you leave for several important reasons.
Imagine this: you’ve moved out and suddenly pests show up. Your landlord thinks it is something you caused and deducts from your bond to cover the cost of pest control. Not nice, right?
Worse still, this can also hurt your rental history, resulting in lessors being reluctant to let you rent their properties.
Nobody wants to be blamed for a bug problem they didn’t cause, especially when it can cost you money. It can also make finding a new place a lot harder.
Finally, out of good courtesy, making sure that the place is pest-free before you leave helps out the next tenant. Essentially, it all comes down to maintaining a clean and healthy environment.
Conduct Regular Inspections
These are your first line of defence against a pest problem. Even spotting a single cockroach or rodent dropping is worth taking seriously; it could be the start of something bigger.
During your pest checks, remember these key signs. Droppings, for instance, often indicate the presence of cockroaches or rodents.
While cockroaches leave behind cylindrical-shaped faeces, rodents’ faeces vary in size depending on the species. For example, rat droppings are larger than those of mice. You can find them in your drawers, under tables, or behind appliances.
Smells are another clue to look out for. Musty and greasy odours can point to a pest problem. This is usually the smell of their pheromones and faeces. Sometimes, it can even be from dead cockroaches. Fatty acids produced by the body after death can cause a pungent smell.
Look for bites or gnaw marks. These are tell-tale signs that rodents or possums are present. They have constantly growing teeth that they need to wear down, so they start to gnaw on pretty much everything that comes their way.
If you notice any bite marks on your tables, cables, or food packaging, act immediately to prevent an infestation.
In addition to that, rodents aren’t exactly subtle houseguests. They are nocturnal, so if you hear scratching or squeaking in the walls at night, there’s a good chance you’ve got company.
Lastly, don’t forget to do one last walkthrough shortly before you move. This way, you can catch any pest problem and handle it to ensure a smooth handover.
If you’d rather not deal with the hassle yourself, consider getting an exit cleaning service to take the weight off your shoulders. That way, you can evacuate in peace, knowing that the property is good to go.
Maintain Cleanliness
Cleanliness is your best defence against pests when you’re renting.
Let’s face it. Bugs love warm, damp spots with a few tasty crumbs and spills lying around. It’s practically a Michelin-star restaurant for them.
What can you do then? Start by making sure that you store your food properly in sealed containers. Spills happen, but it’s the quick clean-up that keeps the pests from moving in.
Next, don’t let your trash pile up. Keep them in lidded garbage bins and dispose of them regularly to prevent unwanted visitors from coming in.
And don’t forget to give your outdoor area some attention as well. An overgrown garden is like a magnet for these creatures, and leaving it bushy is basically providing hiding spots and food sources for them.
So, pick any fallen fruits or vegetables from the ground before they start rotting, keep the grass trimmed, and clear out overgrowth.
Address Entry Points
Those tiny cracks within your walls might not look like much, but to pests, they’re like an open door for those intruders. This includes everything from small crevices in your walls and foundation to the gaps around pipes and utility lines.
Even your windows and doors, which don’t seal properly, can become easy access points.
Don’t worry, though–every problem has a solution! For smaller gaps, use chalk, and for larger holes, try weather stripping or steel wool. The last ones are especially important around entry points where rodents might squeeze through.
After all, it’s much easier to keep bugs out than to try to get rid of them once they have moved in. Better to be safe than sorry.
Also, take a moment to review your lease carefully and pay particular attention to the pest control section. Sometimes, it is the landlord’s job to handle any damage within the building that can lead to an infestation.
Handle Infestations Promptly
The first step you should take when you notice an overgrowing pest problem in your rental is to document it. You can do that by taking photos and videos as evidence.
Next, communicate with your landlord. Start by explaining the situation, presenting the photos and videos you took, and checking your lease agreement for any clauses about who’s responsible for pest control.
This way, you can give your landlord enough time to take action, ensuring the infestation does not worsen by the time you evacuate.
For smaller issues, you can try some DIY solutions. Consider using essential oils like lavender or peppermint.
Just add some water and a few drops to a spray bottle, and then mist the places you believe bugs are hiding. If you don’t have oils on hand, you can use vinegar as an alternative.
Another great option is traps. You can use sticky or snap traps, placing them in the corners and near areas where you have noticed pest activity.
Of course, these DIY options only work for small infestations. If the infestation is more serious, call in the experts immediately.
Conclusion
Pests cause you psychological anxiety as is, so don’t let them cause you financial stress as well.
Imagine leaving your place clean, pest-free, and walking away with your full bond back in your pocket. It is totally worth the trouble. Keeping your place clean is a huge help in the fight against pests.
If the infestation worsens, don’t hesitate to call in the professionals. That way, you can move into your next unit feeling confident about your deposit and stress-free.
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The post How to Properly Deal with Pests in a Rental Property appeared first on Architectures Ideas.
