Keeping Pests Out: Rodent-Proofing Your Newport News Rental Home

One of the most challenging problems to deal with is when unwanted pests invade a rental home. They bring all kinds of problem with them making it tough for both residents and the property owner. Rodents are especially a big concern especially during winter because they tend to stay away from the cold weather and turn to warm places to find shelter and food supply. Our homes typically have what they are looking for which makes it a lovely place for mice, squirrels, rats, or other pests.

Perhaps the trickiest part is keeping these pests out of your Newport News rental homes. Good thing though is that there are simple basic steps that you can follow. These steps can go a long way toward achieving rodent-free rental homes. For example, you have to make sure that your food sources are either eliminated or secured so as not to attract unwanted rodents. Pet food, birdseed, grass seed, and fallen fruit from trees better be cleaned thoroughly or kept in heavy plastic tubs with airtight lids.

Be sure to seal all potential entry points around the home’s foundation, eaves, and soffits. Identify all gaps or holes, and make sure that they are filled with steel mesh, caulk, or plaster, and regularly inspected to keep the seals intact. One other method that has been reported to work well is soaking cotton balls with peppermint oil and strategically placing them in identified places where the rodents usually hang around. This method also leaves a pleasant smell which works well for anybody.

If you are obligated to provide pest control to your residents (many states do not order owners of single-family homes to provide pest control so look to 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. The thing with using traps, poisons, or other measures though is that they pose significant hazards 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 seem like another burden for you. It can be tough 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.

One call to Real Property Management VA Peninsula can save you the problem of doing it all. We offer wide-ranging property management programs that comprise inspecting 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 757-251-9188 today and learn about all of our property management services.