The risks that unwanted pests bring with them are more than just health and safety risks. This results in disagreements happening between tenants and landlords about who is responsible for dealing with the problem. If you’ve noticed that your rental home has acquired a pest problem following your moving in, you have to take immediate action. Some renters may hesitate to do something to curb the problem. As a renter, you must understand that pest control is part of your responsibility, and you should know how to prevent a pest problem in your Burlington 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. Some particular pests, including ants, cockroaches, and fleas, are often attracted to a home because it is not kept clean enough. For instance, if garbage bags are left sitting or uncovered food is stored in the home, ants, and cockroaches will likely find these conditions very inviting. 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 you’re sharing your house with a dog or other pet, it may be bringing fleas with it as it goes in and out of the house. Fleas carry diseases and can quickly infest every corner of a home.
As you can see, it is usually the tenant’s actions or behavior that invited the pests in. This is why most leases have terms that make you, as a renter, responsible for paying to have the unwanted pests removed. If ever your rental home has a problem with moisture and that you forgot to notify the owner, you could find yourself responsible for the pests that are attracted to such conditions as well. In most instances, a professional exterminator will be asked to decide whether 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 that a renter can do, that would be very valuable, is to be proactive about their rental home maintenance. Renters can do a lot to ensure that their rental homes are pest-free. Maintaining the home’s cleanliness, both inside and out, is possibly the best 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.
A great way to deter pests that want to be inside the house is to ensure that you seal the food tightly and store them properly– place them in the refrigerator or pantry. Then you must also 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. These days you can find many good flea prevention products that can be deployed in areas highly prone to fleas and ticks. In order to avoid the expense and annoyance of having to bear the cost for pest extermination on your rental property, you should take the appropriate action right away.
Are you searching for a Burlington rental home? Check out our available listings and give us a call at 802-861-6468 for more information.
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