Identify the Most Common Outdoor Pests
Before taking action, it’s essential to know what you’re up against. Usual outdoor pests for rental properties can cause significant difficulties, since these unwanted intruders can damage landscaping, compromise wood structures, and eventually make their way indoors. While common pests in your area will differ, here are the usual suspects:
- Ants: Found in walls and under patios; carpenter ants invade kitchens for food and can cause structural damage.
- Termites: Capable of causing severe structural damage by feeding on wood that’s expensive to repair.
- Rodents (mice, rats, squirrels): Chew wires, insulation, and stored items and carry diseases.
- Mosquitoes: Breed in stagnant water, making outdoor spaces uncomfortable and spreading diseases.
- Wasps and Hornets: Build nests under eaves or trees, creating a safety hazard for renters.
- Raccoons and Opossums: Can be aggressive when threatened and tear apart gardens or garbage.
- Spiders: Attracted to insects around exterior lighting and can find their way inside.
- Scorpions: Common in the southwestern US, they hide under rocks and in crevices they sting tenants or pets if disturbed.
Be aware of the common pests in your area and prepare appropriately. Identifying common outdoor pests compromise your rental property helps you establish a reliable pest management plan.
Use Smart Landscaping to Prevent Pest Infestations
An excellent way to deter outside pests is to make your yard less welcoming to them. Easy things you can do to reduce unwanted pests include keeping bushes and shrubs trimmed about a foot away from your property’s siding, getting rid of dead foliage, fallen limbs, and other clutter that could provide shelter for critters, and checking that there’s no standing water in planters, birdbaths, or drains, since mosquitoes love to breed in stagnant water. If your property has a wood-burning stove or backyard fire pit, remember to store firewood neatly and maintain distance from the building to prevent termites and rodents from settling in. Ultimately, smart landscaping choices are a straightforward yet effective way to avoid pests outside.
How to Fortify the Exterior Against Pests
The next step after doing a bit of proactive landscaping is ensuring pests can’t easily enter the home. To begin, regularly inspect your rental’s exterior for cracks, gaps, or holes that could serve as entry points. Look closely at the siding, vents, and pipes around the property. Should you notice any gaps or damage, repair them immediately. When feasible, install tight-fitting screens on windows and vents, and add weatherstripping on doors to seal gaps. Lastly, secure trash bins with tight lids to keep raccoons and rodents at bay. A bit of planning and upfront maintenance can go a long way in managing pests in rental properties.
Outdoor Pest Control Treatments Every Landlord Should Know
Occasionally, landscaping and sealing the property don’t fully work. If pests are still a bother outdoors or entering the home, applying an outdoor pest treatment is recommended. This adds another layer of protection and can eradicate some of the more dangerous pests, particularly spiders and scorpions. Commonly used methods include perimeter sprays, repellents, and traps for common outdoor pests. Make sure to follow local regulations and prioritize tenant safety during the process.
For persistent and stubborn infestations, the best approach is to hire a licensed pest control professional with the skills to manage pest issues. Especially when pests have already taken hold of your property’s exterior, the services of a professional are vital to fully addressing the problem.
Stay Ahead with Seasonal Pest Prevention Checks
Above all, it’s critical to incorporate outdoor pest control into seasonal maintenance programs. To achieve the best outcomes, inspect your property’s exterior during both spring and fall. Doing so allows you to spot any trouble early. Keep an eye out for evidence of nests, burrows, structural damage, or standing water. Staying ahead of pests ensures fewer hassles for you and provides a more comfortable living experience for your tenants.
Partner with Experts for Long-Term Protection
Performing a capable outdoor pest control strategy for your rental property can save you money and stress, all while protecting the value of your rental. When it comes to managing your property and keeping pests under control, Real Property Management Diversified has you covered. We strive to make rental property management in Dunnellon seamless and worry-free! Get in touch with us online or call 352-854-2221 today!