Unwanted pests carry more than health and safety risks. This can easily create many disagreements between tenants and landlords about who is responsible for dealing with the problem. If your rental home has formed a pest problem after you moved in, you may have to take immediate action. Sometimes renters may take their time taking care of a pest problem. This ends up exacerbating the problem. As a renter, it is essential to understand that pest control is your responsibility, and you should know what you can do to prevent a pest problem in your West Ashley rental home.
Take a close look at your lease because if your actions are the reason for the infestation, it is your responsibility as a tenant to pay for pest control. There are many different types of pests that can invade a rental home. Certain pests, including ants, cockroaches, and fleas, are often attracted to a home because it is not kept clean enough. Whenever garbage bags are left sitting or uncovered food is stored in the home, cockroaches and ants will easily discover it and swarm the home. Such insects thrive in environments with a plentiful food source and love to eat garbage and crumbs. Skunks, mice, rats, raccoons, and other animals are also strongly attracted by garbage left uncovered outside and can create havoc in a very short amount of time. If a dog or other pet is living with you, it could bring fleas into the house as it goes in and out throughout the day. Fleas carry diseases and can quickly infest every corner of a home.
Oftentimes it is the tenant’s actions or behavior that is the reason why the pests were invited into the home. This is the reason why, under the terms of most leases, the responsibility is usually given to you, as a renter, to pay to have the unwanted pests removed. Also, if you find that your rental home has a problem with moisture that you neglected to inform the property owner about, you could find yourself responsible for the pests that are attracted to such conditions as well. In the majority of cases, a professional exterminator will be called in to see if your living conditions caused the pest problem. If an analysis of the situation supports such a theory, you might find yourself required to foot the bill for any and all required pest removal services.
Something a good renter can do– which would be extremely helpful– is to be proactive about their rental home maintenance. A good renter has plenty of options available to ensure that their rental homes are kept pest-free. Making sure that the home is clean, both inside and out is probably the easiest and most effective way to prevent unwanted pests. Keeping garbage and food (both human and pet) in containers with tight lids and disposing of any trash right away is another important strategy for outdoor pests.
The best deterrent for pests that want to be indoors is to make sure that you seal the food tightly and store them properly in the refrigerator or pantry, and also to sweep up crumbs daily. For renters with pets, keeping your animal clean is the best way to avoid a flea infestation and all the problems that come with it. Nowadays, there are various effective products for flea prevention on the market that are geared towards helping in places that are highly prone to fleas and ticks. When you act immediately, you can easily dodge the expense and annoyance of having to bear the cost for pest extermination on your rental property.
Are you on the lookout for a West Ashley rental home? Check out our available rentals and call us at 828-342-9683 for more information.
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