Are you tired of insects invading your properties? Tenants complaining about rustling and squeaking?
How can landlords get rid of unwanted pests?
Mice, cockroaches, and gnats are the most common pests that enter your home without permission. Read more for some advice on how to get rid of these troublesome unwanted “guests.”
How to Get Rid of Mice?
Adorable mice that wear clothes, sing, and help you with your cleaning only exist in cartoons or fairy tales. In the real world, mice are annoying and even dangerous not only for the damage they can cause to your property but for your neighbors as well. A mouse is an extraordinary animal that can jump 2.5 times its height. However, the most surprising thing about mice is the speed with which they brazenly settle in houses. But how to get rid of mice for good?
In the beginning, try to understand what is in your house that is attracting mice. Rodents choose human apartments because they are an easy source of food and warmth. How and why are mice gaining access to your residence?
- Cluttered and dirty rooms - lack of hygiene, irregular cleaning, trash being left out - all of these things attract mice.
- Transportation - mice can gain access into your property when furniture is delivered. They enter boxes in large warehouses and move with them.
- Neighbors - if your neighbors have a mice problem, the rodents may migrate to your property.
You may not always realize that you have mice on your property. However, some mice infestation signs are:
- Rustling sounds in the furniture, walls, or ceiling at night.
- Bad smells.
- Spoiled and submerged products, bags of cereals, flour.
- Damaged cables, holes in furniture and clothes.
- Footprints on surfaces.
- Mice droppings.
If you are lucky enough to have a cat, your furry friend may be able to solve the problem. But how to get rid of mice without a cat? And how much does it cost to get rid of mice?
Here are some effective ways to get rid of mice without killing them.
- Patch any holes where mice can gain entry
Simple, yet effective. Mice cannot enter your basement if they do not have an entry point.
- Place some traps
One of the easiest ways to catch mice is to put something edible on cardboard that you’ve glued previously. Furry pests will not die but they will start to squeak loudly, announcing that they are trapped. If you’d prefer, you can also use electric rat traps but these are deadly for mice.
- Install ultrasonic scarers
Another safe way to solve a mouse problem is to install scarers. The irritating sound will only affect mice and won’t bother anyone else.
We do not recommend using poison. This method is dangerous not only because of the risks to children or domestic pets, but finding and disposing of the dead body of a mouse is also problematic.
If you’re not sure you want or are able to solve a rodent problem on your own, hiring a pest control professional is a good idea but will be more expensive.
How to Get Rid of Roaches Fast?
Cockroaches are some of the oldest creatures in the world. They have been around for 350 million years! But despite their long history, no one is happy to spot a cockroach on the kitchen floor. What attracts cockroaches in your home? Some examples are food that is left out, open trash cans, pet food, water dishes, and neglecting simple sanitizing rules.
Signs of a roach infestation include:
- Black droppings
- Particular scent
- Cockroach eggs
- Property damage
Notice any of the above-listed signs in your property? It’s time to get rid of roaches in the house!
Сockroaches are synanthropic organisms which means they can only survive in human habitats. They will likely occupy the kitchen - the refrigerator, microwave, oven, toaster - roaches prefer dark, warm, and safe places. Here are some tips on how to get rid of cockroaches.
Sprays and aerosols
Poison sprays are indeed effective but can be dangerous. If you choose this method, be extra careful, use a respirator and gloves. After spraying, open all windows and leave the house for a while. Remember! One and the same aerosol does not work twice.
Natural DIY repellant
Natural essential oils can also work as protection from cockroaches. Lemongrass or peppermint mixed with water are very effective. Spray the mixture everywhere you notice roaches.
Freeze them out
Cockroaches are cold-blooded creatures. Open all windows until the temperature falls to 14°F. Roaches are inactive and will stop breeding in very cold temperatures. Minus - this method will only work in winter and you would not want to occupy the house during this time.
Simple roach traps
Sticky traps, poison gel bait, natural roach traps (such as boric acid and peanut butter), electric coach traps are other options. Hand-made or purchased traps can work well when the situation when a roach infestation isn’t as extreme.
Cooperate with neighbors
All your work can be worthless if you have messy neighbors. Work cooperatively with people to achieve better results.
How to Get Rid of Gnats in Your House?
The last species of annoying pests on our list are gnats. Drosophila, unlike other listed pests, arrive only in late summer and early autumn. Fruit gnats are attracted to the smell of rotten fruits and vegetables. Most likely, they will take over kitchens and bathrooms. Fungus gnats, a specific type of gnat, will prefer overwatered houseplants.
These tiny insects are not dangerous, like roaches or mice, but are irritating. The good news is that there are many easy ways to get rid of gnats.
How to get rid of gnats indoors?
First, you need to get rid of everything that might be attractive to gnats. Hide your fruits, or better - place them in the refrigerator. Take out the trash regularly. Clean pets food plates since old kibble would make a perfect place for gnats’ eggs.
Deep clean your house:
- wash all the windows, add some turpentine to the water for a better effect;
- clean the wood floor with bay essential oil;
- rinse with water all of your fruits and vegetables;
- use vinegar traps. It is a safe and cheap way to get rid of insects. There is no need to buy chemicals.
How to get rid of gnats in houseplants?
For the plant lover, it is common to find some insects after you overwater plants. Fungus gnats are often found around overwatered pots because of organic matter in the soil decay. Adult gnats are not dangerous for plants, but larvae can eat roots. This can cause yellowing leaves, and the pathogen that produces fungus gnats is deadly for seeds.
Here are some ways to deal with fungus gnats:
- Dry the soil of every pot. Place pots on the street and let them dry. Do not water them until the soil is completely dry!
- Use an organic solution for plants that are infected with gnats.
- Flypaper ribbons also work well to catch gnats.
To protect your home from intruders, it is important to keep your home clean. It is recommended to keep all loose products and seasonings in closed containers.
- Keep things clean
- Put away food and water
- Close cracks
- Contact neighbors
It’s great to get rid of pests on your property, but ideally you can prevent them from invading in the first place. In our previous article, we’ve provided some actionable tips for preventing pests in rental properties. Hopefully, this information will help you solve all of the pest problems in your rentals for good.
Though some DIY projects are easy to complete, for others, there are repairs that require professional skills and specific equipment. If you’re unsure whether or not you can handle a maintenance request in your rental property, find a service professional in your area by posting a bid request.
Please note that the option is available for maintenance requests in a “new” status only.
Check out the Help Center article to get step by step instructions:
How can I find a service professional within the system?
Related:
Top 5 Plumbing Maintenance Issues Every Landlord Should Know
How to unclog a toilet at home. Tips for landlords.
Cleaning the inside of the dishwasher by yourself. Tips for landlords.
