Pests can create havoc and disruption in any property they infest, regardless of how they get in. If they’re not caught before they’ve had a chance to breed and spread, it can be expensive and time-consuming to get rid of them and ensure that the property is completely pest-free.
It is important that pests are not given the chance to infest a property in the first place, let alone spread. However, it can be difficult to enforce this in your properties given that tenants are the ones living there – if an infestation occurs, it won’t necessarily be their fault (for instance if a dog or cat brings in fleas) but sometimes the infestation will be completely preventable by taking a few simple steps and precautions.
This simple guide is designed for you to give to your tenants in order to help them prevent pest infestations during their time in your property.
The guide covers:
- The interior of the property, including rooms such as the kitchen and bathroom, and the exterior
- Different types of pests to contend with
- The various preventive measures that tenants should be taking
Which pests do you need to look out for?
Some of the pests that people in the UK commonly have trouble with include:
| Mice | Fleas |
| Rats | Spiders |
| Foxes | Cockroaches |
| Bees | Ants |
| Wasps | Bedbugs |
Prevention
It’s important that you do everything possible to prevent a pest infestation, both inside and outside the house.
Inside
Food waste should be a key concern inside any home. Crumbs and general food debris around the kitchen or living room should be cleared up and any leftovers should be stored in an airtight container so ants are not attracted to them. In terms of bins and food waste, the bin should be closed or otherwise sealed at all times. When it is full, remove the bin liner and take it to the food waste bin outside.
Cleaning should be something you do to maintain a hygienic home anyway, but if things aren’t particularly clean, pests will breed easily. Make sure that kitchen counters, tables and floors are cleaned regularly to prevent crumbs and food building up. If there is clutter on bedroom floors and in living room, this should be cleared as regularly as possible because they provide hiding places and homes for pests. You should also ensure you vacuum regularly, not just to clean the floors and other surfaces but also to catch pests and their eggs.
Here are some other things you can do to prevent pests taking over your home:
- Fill any cracks or holes in the walls that could provide access for insects or rodents to the inside of your home
- Fix any leaks that might result in standing water
- Check any pets that spend time outside for fleas on a regular basis
- Use over-the-counter pest control products if you suspect that you do have a mouse in the walls or you’re finding a lot of wasps entering the house.
Outside
Given that pests will enter your home from the outside, it’s important not to neglect areas like your garden and shrubbery when taking steps to prevent an infestation.
- If you’re outside, use citronella candles to help keep mosquitoes and wasps away from your garden
- Wood piles and scraps can be a haven for beetles and termites. Don’t use wood mulch or chips in your garden if possible, and keep any woodpiles at least twenty feet from your home
- Repair or replace rotted wood shingles on the roof
- Keep any tree branches or bushes well-trimmed to keep them away from the house, as they could provide routes inside for pests
- Use a bird feeder tray to catch fallen food, as this can attract rodents
WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU
At Nicholas Humphreys (Sheffield-Broomhill & Crookes), we understand the pressures landlords face every day whether it be related to renting empty properties, staying compliant throughout regulatory changes, health & safety and much more…
Contact us and ask how we can help you manage your property, remain compliant and look after one of your most valuable and precious assets.
