Steve Welty

Issue# 37

February 2025

Happy Saturday, Housing Heroes!

Pests are an unavoidable aspect of property management, but they don’t have to be a nightmare. Whether it’s ants marching across your kitchen or a mouse finding its way in during a cool evening, keeping your property pest-free is key to a happy home. Today, we’re sharing some down-to-earth, practical tips to help you tackle pest issues head-on.

Pest Control Best Practices

Ants

The Issue: Argentine ants love Southern California summers, turning up uninvited when it’s warm.

What You Can Do:

Prevent: Seal cracks, fix leaks, and keep common areas spick and span.
When They Arrive: Offer tenants ant bait traps or call in a pest control pro if it gets out of hand.

Your Role: Major infestations are best handled by you as the housing provider, though keeping the unit clean really helps keep these ants away.

Cockroaches

The Issue: German cockroaches love kitchens and bathrooms in rental spaces.

What to Do:

Prevent: Seal gaps, eliminate standing water, and schedule regular check-ups.
When They Arrive: Professional extermination is usually needed.

Your Role: Housing Providers should handle extermination unless the infestation is due to tenant negligence.

Rodents (Mice and Rats)

The Issue: Roof rats and house mice might sneak indoors, especially in cooler months.

What to Do:

What to Do: Seal any holes or entry points and keep landscaping well-maintained.
When They Arrive: Bring in a pest control expert to set traps and block entry points.

Your Role: As a housing provider, you’re in charge of managing rodent problems, while tenants should avoid leaving food out.

Termites

The Issue: Termites, both subterranean and drywood, can do serious damage if left unchecked.

What to Do:

Prevent: Arrange annual termite inspections and treat vulnerable wood areas with preventative solutions.
When They Arrive: Have licensed professionals handle any fumigation or targeted treatments.

Your Role: It’s up to you to ensure regular inspections and take necessary action to keep your property safe.

Bed Bugs

The Issue: Though rare, bed bugs can spread fast if they show up.

What to Do:

When They Arrive: Get a pest control service in for a thorough inspection and treatment. Tenants might need to help out by cleaning bedding and vacuuming.

Your Role: California law expects you to provide a bed bug–free environment. Tenants should alert you at the first sign of trouble.

Fleas

The Issue: Fleas often show up when pets are around.

What to Do:

Prevent: Encourage or require tenants to treat their pets with flea prevention products.
When They Arrive: You might need to call in a pro if the situation escalates, and remind tenants to keep pet areas clean.

Your Role: If fleas are introduced by tenant pets, they might be responsible for treatment costs—but you’re there to coordinate the overall response.

Spiders

The Issue: From black widows to common house spiders, these critters can hide in garages, closets, and outdoor spots.

What to Do:

Prevent: Regularly clear webs, trim back overgrown vegetation, and seal up cracks.
When They Arrive: Provide a pest spray for minor issues or call a professional for a larger problem.

Your Role: You handle significant infestations, while tenants can manage the occasional spider sighting.

Wasps and Bees

The Issue: Nests can pop up under eaves, in attics, or near trees.

What to Do:

Prevent: Keep an eye out for nests during routine property checks.

When They Arrive: Never try DIY removal. Always call a professional, especially when bees are involved—they may need to be safely relocated.

Your Role: Taking charge of nest removals is part of your responsibility as a housing provider.

Gophers and Ground Squirrels

The Issue: These critters can damage landscaping and create hazards around the property.

What to Do:

Prevent: Install gopher mesh under sod and keep the landscape well-maintained.
When They Arrive: Bring in pest control to safely trap or remove them.

Your Role: Outdoor pest problems like these are generally something you manage as a housing provider.

Mosquitoes

The Issue: Mosquitoes breed in standing water around your property.

What to Do:

Prevent: Remove any standing water and ensure proper drainage.
When They Arrive: Use mosquito dunks or consider professional fogging if needed.

Your Role:

You should take charge of outdoor mosquito control, and tenants can help by reporting any potential breeding sites.

General Best Practices for Housing Providers

Regular inspections and timely treatments go a long way in preventing infestations.
Set up a pest control policy in your lease agreements so everyone knows what to do.
California requires housing providers to maintain a pest-free, habitable space.
Encourage tenants to report any pest issues as soon as they notice them.

🎥 5 Lessons Learned From 1500 Rental Properties Managed

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