Unwanted pests present more than health and safety risks. Many disagreements between tenants and landlords will come about in regards to 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. If renters take too long to act on the problem, the pest problem will likely grow into a larger and more problematic headache. As a renter, you must recognize that the scope of your responsibility includes pest control. You must also be familiar with some ways to prevent your Ocoee rental home from developing a pest problem.
Be aware that paying for pest control may be your responsibility as a tenant if your actions caused the infestation or not and/or whether it is stated in your lease. There are many different types of pests that can invade a rental home. Some kinds of 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.
In all of the examples given, it has been the tenant’s behavior or actions that invited the pests into the home. This is why, under the terms of most leases, the responsibility is usually placed on you, as a renter, to pay 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. You just might need to bear the cost for any and all necessary pest removal services if their investigation reinforces such an opinion.
The most useful thing that a renter can do is to be proactive about their rental home maintenance. Keeping the rental home pest-free is possible with the many options available to renters nowadays. Keeping both the inside and outside of a home clean is quite 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.
Now, for those pests that like being indoors, the best way to keep them away is to make sure that food is tightly sealed and properly stored in the refrigerator or pantry and that crumbs are swept up 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. By acting immediately, you can avert the expense and inconvenience of paying for pest extermination on your rental property.
Looking for an Ocoee rental home? Take a look at our available rentals and call us at 321-972-6823 to know more.
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