A Property Manager’s Guide to Pest Control

Instruction Guides and Training Sessions

You may already have a standard protocol when accepting a new resident, such as reviewing the emergency preparedness strategy or providing an overview of the building layout. This is an excellent opportunity to review standard measures one can take in the apartment to combat common pests, such as rodents and bed bugs. Spending a few minutes highlighting key items can drastically improve your internal processes when pest issues arise. Here are a few topics to cover when having this conversation:

– Provide the location of the structure’s trash receptacles and explain how garbage overflow will attract rodents.
– Include a pamphlet detailing the appearance of bed bugs, while also outlining an action plan for treating these creatures.
– Discuss proactive applications one can take in order to protect the living space from invaders, which includes caulking any open door cracks or winterizing the windows.
– Additionally, you could provide handout materials to building occupants at the turn of each season, summarizing the cyclical behavior of certain pests that may affect the property.

Simply put, educate your tenants as much as possible. Acting as a knowledge source for pest control will instill confidence among those living in the building.

Complaint Management

As a property manager, demonstrating your value includes listening and acting on complaints, which becomes increasingly important when handling pest cases. Rodents and bed bugs are known to negatively impact one’s psychology and will inevitably cause distress among those experiencing an infestation. Accordingly, you should remain sympathetic to the problem and assure the renter that your pest control team is more than capable of handling the situation.

You should act upon all grievances within the same week of the submission, reaching out to the individual within 24 hours confirming you received it. Following the contact with your pest control company, instruct the leaseholder of the procedure for eliminating the infestation. It’s critical to cover these items:

– Whether or not your chosen company will apply pesticides in the room. Give the resident at least 24 hours if this is the case
– A detailed list of rooms the task force will enter
– Expected outcome and check-in dates after leaving the property

Supply Assistance

Particularly for those managing apartment complexes, owning a supply of pest deterring applications can assist your residents improve his or her own living space independent of your pest management company. A few things to make available include:

– Caulk
– Mesh wiring
– Simple mouse traps
– Plastic storage containers
– Bag clips
– Cement and trowel
– A handheld vacuum cleaner
– Magnifying glass
– Putty knife
– Rubber gloves
– Sticky traps

Moreover, your maintenance staff should be equipped with similar items when contacted by a tenant. If the repair crew notices a glaring pest control problem within the dwelling, they should immediately act upon this and contact the designated pest control professional.

If you are looking to partner with a new pest management specialist, contact Holder’s today!