Having a pest free home or apartment is certainly something everyone wants. What are some things you can do to protect yourself from moving into somewhere that will have pest issues? This post is all about a renters guide to pest control and what you should look for before you rent.
The unit you are shown might not be what the typical unit looks like
Not to say that all apartment complexes are trying to pull one over on you or anything like that, but it’s obvious that any business is going to put their best foot forward and show you their most presentable units. Unfortunately, this can lead to you having a better impression than you might actually get from the reality that is the apartment you will be calling home.
This means that while there might not be any outstanding pest issues in the unit you are shown, there could be pest issues elsewhere. There are a few red flags or warning signs you should look for before you rent when it comes to pest control.
Check out areas of the apartment complex or home that might not be the actual unit
Most pest problems start from the outside and make their way in as seasons change, so you might not see specific issues in the unit you are renting, but that doesn’t mean there can’t be issues in other parts of the complex that could lead to pest problems.
Exclusion, which is sealing cracks, crevices, and entry points around your home is one of the best ways to keep where you live safe from pests. Many complexes might not make this a priority.
This is an important thing to look out for when you are renting. Are there lots of holes in screens or doors? Large gaps in windows or under doors? Lots of cracks in walls and around the foundation? Does the insulation around a/c units appear to be well maintained?
All of these things could be easy access points for pests. Any time of year where there is a transition between seasons is a high activity time for pests to enter your building and apartment. If there are a lot of access points for pests around your building there is a much higher chance for pests to make their way into your apartment as well.
Look for signs of pests in other areas around the complex
Another thing to be on the lookout for is possible pest activity in other areas of the apartment complex. This could be places like the dumpsters, around the halls, in commons or shared laundry areas, or even parking lots and underground parking. Keep an eye out for spotting around base boards and/or seams between walls and ceilings/floors. You may be seeing water damage which could lead to pest issues, black flecks that could be fecal matter from roaches, bedbugs or other pests, or residual sprays from prior attempts to solve pest issues.
The thing with apartment complexes is that if there is a pest issues in some part of the complex, it’s not to hard for it to spread very quickly to other parts. This means that your individual unit might start out fine, but other parts of the complex could cause problems for you eventually.
This is why it’s important to look for pest activity in areas not directly in contact with your unit. You want to keep an eye out for pest activity from flies, roaches, and rodents, such as pest carcasses, droppings, or structural damage from them before you move in.
When you follow these steps it can go a long way to helping you avoid any significant pest issues after you move into your new home.
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