Keeping Pests Out: Rodent-Proofing Your Piedmont Rental Home

Nobody wants unwanted pests invading a rental home. They bring in all kinds of problems for both the residents and the property owner. Rodents, in particular, are a huge problem especially during the winter season because as the weather becomes chilly, they are looking to find a warm place to live and a steady food supply. Our houses naturally have what they need, making them into an appealing lure for mice, squirrels, rats, or other pests.

Keeping pests out of your Piedmont rental homes can be a challenge, but if you follow these basic steps, you can make sure that these pests won’t keep on coming back. To start rodent-proofing your home, make sure you are aware of what entices them and where they usually thrive. First of all, it’s important to eliminate food sources that may attract unwanted rodents. Pet food, birdseed, grass seed, and fallen fruit from trees should be cleaned up or stored in heavy plastic containers with airtight lids. Follow these, and you are on your way to keeping your rentals rodent-free.

Make sure that all possible areas that need to be sealed or blocked to keep the rodents out are identified particularly potential entry points around the home’s foundation, eaves, and soffits. Conduct thorough inspection of your home, gaps or holes should be filled with steel mesh, caulk, or plaster, and often checked to keep the seals unbroken. Soaking cotton balls with peppermint oil and strategically placing them in areas where rodents frequently go to has also been stated to work fine and this method leaves a lovely odor.

If you are mandated by your state to provide pest control to your residents (many states do not require owners of single-family homes to offer pest control so make sure you check your local statutes) and natural methods aren’t keeping the pests outside, you may need to resort to traps or hire an exterminator to handle the problem. Of course, using traps, poisons, or other measures pose significant risks to residents and their pets unless used selectively and correctly.

As a property owner, to add rodent-proofing to your extensive list of winterizing tasks may feel like one heavy responsibility too many. It can be challenging 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 Masters 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 510-398-8704 today and learn about all of our property management services.