Pest control 101 for landlords and vacation rental owners
You’ve heard the proverb made famous by Ben Franklin: "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure". While he probably wasn’t referring to bed bugs and cockroaches, the saying holds true.
Prevention is key to managing pests in your vacation or long-term rental. It is easier to prevent bugs from becoming a problem than it is to get rid of a lot of them.
Getting control of pests takes time, which potentially means lost income for you. You may not be able to rent a unit until the problem is resolved. You might have to give renters a refund or pay damages. A pest problem also can damage your reputation. Can you imagine photos of bed bugs or cockroaches in your unit appearing on social media?! You might find it difficult to attract renters in the future.
Rental units are high risk for pest infestations
Unfortunately, rental units are more prone to having bed bug and cockroach problems. Why? Because these pests arrive with people.
They don’t magically appear on their own. And they don’t come in from outdoors.
Bed bugs are notorious hitchhikers. They travel from place to place on luggage, backpacks, purses, clothing and other items. They are introduced to new locations. If not found early, a few bed bugs can grow into a large infestation. At that point, the blood-sucking pests may spread to adjacent units in multi-family buildings, traveling under walls and along utility lines to find new hosts.
German cockroaches also come in with people. They hide in belongings and furniture and get moved into units along with the renters. German cockroach populations grow quickly. They often harbor in walls, usually near water sources like sinks, and easily spread to nearby units in multi-family buildings.
3 strategies to prevent bed bugs and cockroaches in your rental units
You must accept the fact that bed bugs and cockroaches will get introduced to your rental. And while you can’t stop this from happening, you can take steps to prevent these introductions from becoming a bigger problem.
The experts at Pest HQ, Canada’s leading source of DIY pest control products, recommend three strategies to prevent bed bug and cockroach infestations:
1. Learn pest biology and behaviour
The more you know about bed bugs and cockroaches and why they thrive, the better you become at spotting introductions and getting rid of them.
Who needs this knowledge?
· The person or property management team cleaning between vacation rental guests
· The landlord, maintenance staff and tenants at long-term rental properties
All parties benefit from knowing:
· What bed bugs and cockroaches look like
· Signs of their activity (feces, molted skin, etc.)
· How they behave and where they typically hide out
· How they hitchhike in on items and travel between units
· What to do and who to contact if bed bugs or cockroaches are suspected
Encourage cleaning staff and long-term tenants to report pest activity as soon as they notice it. Assure tenants that reporting pests will not result in eviction. Many tenants fear reprisals, which may cause pests to go unreported and allow pest populations to grow.
Learn how to:
· Identify and inspect for bed bugs
· Identify and inspect for cockroaches
2. Communicate often with staff and tenants
Take steps to build a culture where everyone works together to minimize pests. Regularly share information on how to identify, inspect and report bed bugs and cockroaches.
Emphasize how keeping surfaces clean and reducing clutter remove two things cockroaches need to survive: food and harborage. Explain how bed bugs hitchhike on belongings and what they can do to reduce the risk of introducing them to their homes.
Continuous education is essential. Share flyers, send emails and make this a regular topic at tenant meetings. Host informational get-togethers. Emphasize that when tenants and staff are vigilant together, a safe and welcoming living environment is enjoyed by all.
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3. Install monitoring and protection devices
Discrete monitoring devices work 24/7 to detect pest activity. Inspect devices regularly to determine if pests are present and if their populations are increasing or decreasing. With this intel, you know when to start or stop a pest control program.
Pest HQ experts recommend using the following professional-grade products in rental units:
Bed bug monitoring and protection
· Blackout Bed Bug Interceptors and ClimbUp Insect Monitors – These disks fit under bed frame and furniture legs. Bugs enter the moat as they attempt to climb up or down the leg and cannot get out.
· Knock Down™ Bed Bug Detective - Place this trap between the box spring and mattress or under cushions of upholstered furniture to detect bed bug activity.
· Surge Protector Power Bar with Lure – This device functions as a surge protector and also lures bed bugs for up to 90 days. Replaceable glue boards trap the pests.
· Mattress Safe KleenCover® Encasements – Certified fabric covers prevent bed bugs from hiding in bedding. Install them on mattress and box springs in vacation rentals. Urge long-term tenants to use them.
Cockroach monitoring
· TERRO® Roach Magnet® Traps – Poison-free traps contain a pheromone technology to attract roaches, which get trapped on a sticky surface.
· Catchmaster® Crawling Pest & Insect Traps - Glue boards contain a specially formulated scent to attract insects. Place them under sinks and along hard edges where roaches travel.
· Catchmaster® Roach & Insect Monitors – Folded cardboard creates an enticing hidey hole. Monitors are pre-baited with food-grade molasses. An adhesive backing allows placement in any position.
· Catchmaster® Roach Lure Tabs – Improve the effectiveness of roach monitors with a multi-bait attractant.
Order products online from Pest HQ. Items ship fast or can be picked up at our headquarters: 7 Meridian Rd, Etobicoke, Ontario, Monday – Friday, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm.
Have questions? Contact Pest HQ.
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