Real Property Management Investor's Choice

Keeping Pests Out: Rodent-Proofing Your Hermitage Rental Home

Nobody wants a rental home that is infested with unwanted pests. These pests pose some problems not only for the property owner but more importantly to the residents. Rodents are a particular problem in the winter because they hate the cold as much as humans do. They gravitate towards warm places with a steady food supply like our houses. Our houses typically have what they need, making it a wonderful place for mice, squirrels, rats, or other pests.

Dealing with unwanted pests can prove to be quite a challenge as well as keeping them out of your Hermitage rental homes. The good news is, there are a few basic fixes that you can apply. Carefully following these suggestions can help you achieve rodent-free rental homes. To start with, it’s essential to eliminate food sources that may attract unwanted rodents first. Pet food, birdseed, grass seed, and fallen fruit from trees should also be cleaned up or stored in heavy plastic containers with airtight lids.

One more important task to keep rodents out is to seal all potential entry points around the home’s foundation, eaves, and soffits. If you have identified gaps or holes in the house be sure to fill those with steel mesh, caulk, or plaster. Check them regularly to make sure that the seals are still intact. Soaking cotton balls with peppermint oil and leaving them in places where rodents might enter has also been reported to work well and this method leaves a pleasant aroma.

Because some states do not require owners of single-family rental homes to provide pest control, you have to check with your local statues first. And if you are compelled to provide pest control to your residents and for some reason, natural methods do not work for you, then you may need to resort to the usual traps or better yet, book an exterminator to take care of your problem professionally. However, using traps, poisons, or other measures pose significant risks to residents and their pets unless used selectively and correctly.

As a property owner, adding rodent-proofing to your long list of winterizing tasks may feel like one heavy responsibility too many. It can be difficult to remember to check the foundations and eaves of each property, as well as monitor the home for its handling of potential pest-attracting food sources.

You could do it all yourself, or you could call Real Property Management Investor’s Choice instead. We offer comprehensive property management programs that include monitoring and maintaining the integrity of your property to keep the rodents out and your residents happy. Keep your rental properties rodent-free all winter by contact our team of professionals today! Contact us online or call us at 615-810-9578 today and learn about all of our property management services.