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How Property Managers Should Deal with Nature’s Wildlife

Admin - Monday, August 19, 2019

Everyone loves wildlife – out in the wild. 

Today, we’re talking about wildlife in Washington, D.C., and we don’t mean the party scene. 

Instead, we’re talking about rodents and pests and other types of problems that property owners and investors in Washington, D.C. often have to deal with when it comes to their rental properties. Tenants may call with complaints about these things, and you have to know how to respond. You also have to know how to prevent the issues from ever starting. 

Each Pest is Different

If you check out the EJF Real Estate Services website, you’ll find a lot of detailed information about how to deal with each type of pest you may encounter while renting out a property in this city. We cover what to do if your tenant reports finding pigeons, squirrels, rats, termites, and bed bugs. 

No one wants to live with these types of pest and insects, so it’s important that you respond to your tenant’s reports right away. Your job as a landlord is to provide a safe and habitable home for your tenants. That means getting rid of the rats if they start to show up. So, check out the website, where you can find some pest-specific blogs and even some infographic information to help you deal with these issues and prevent them from happening again in the future. It’s important to be proactive with these things, otherwise the number of pests will increase, and then you’re dealing with an entire family of mice instead of just one mouse. Don’t ignore your tenant’s reports of pests or wildlife. Take them seriously and respond immediately.  

Communicate with Tenants 

The most important element in controlling pests is getting your tenants to help. This requires good communication. A responsible landlord will talk to tenants and ensure they know what they should do and what they shouldn’t do in the quest to avoid an infestation of pests, insects, or other wildlife. Make sure it’s something you talk about. For example, feeding birds always sounds like it’s a fun thing to do. Why not leave some bread out for the pigeons or the sparrows? 

The problem is, leaving out seeds or crumbs for the birds can attract mice and insects. So, you want to make sure your tenants aren’t accidentally attracting pests to the property. Make sure your tenants know what to look for. They should be able to identify rat droppings so they know what could be happening behind the walls and ceilings. Make sure they know that you want the problem to be brought to your attention immediately. Sometimes, tenants will hesitate to report problems with bugs or pests because they’re worried they’ll be blamed. The important thing is not to blame anyone, but to protect the condition and value of your investment.  

We can help you share information and resources with your tenants, and we’d be happy to help you keep your encounters with wildlife and rodents down to a minimum. We’re professional property managers in Washington, D.C., so please contact us at EJF Real Estate Services.