Los Angeles has a mild climate, which is one of the reasons that people love living in the city.
Unfortunately, that climate provides the perfect breeding ground for a variety of pests, and bugs love living in LA, too.
Landlords and rental property owners need to understand that pest infestations can lead to significant damages, not just to their property but also to their reputation. No one wants to hear their tenants talking about the bugs that they share space with.
Ensuring a pest-free environment is essential for the satisfaction and safety of your tenants, and it also requires a partnership with your tenants. You can provide a pest-free home, but they need to help maintain that pest-free home by keeping it clean and free of trash and debris.
Let’s talk about some of the preventative measures and effective responses to the most common pest infestations in LA. We’re bringing you this information not as professional exterminators, but as Los Angeles property management experts who have been called to evict a family of ants, mice, and roaches from time to time.
Science Lesson: Here are Your Common Pests in Los Angeles
Before delving into prevention and control, let’s identify the pests that are most common in Los Angeles. You’ll need to know this in order to schedule the most effective pest control mechanisms for your rental property.
- Rodents: Pretty much what you’d expect; mice and rats. These rodents seek shelter and food, making residential properties their ideal home. You can usually find them inside of attics, hiding out in closets, and working their way into your vents and behind your walls.
- Cockroaches: Always a favorite of landlords and tenants. These pests are not only unsettling but can also spread diseases and trigger allergies. There are various types of cockroaches roaming the city and probably its rental homes.
- Bed Bugs: A nightmare for property owners, bed bugs are notorious for rapid breeding and are difficult to eliminate.
- Ants and Spiders: Although often harmless, they can become a nuisance if they appear in large numbers.
Your local pest control partner can likely provide additional information around what your property is most at risk for attracting.
Preventing Pests in Your LA Rental Home
Preventative pest control is your first line of defense against these intrusive critters, and prevention is also the most cost-effective method to keep infestations at bay. Make sure you’re doing regular maintenance inspections and checks. When you have the opportunity to be at the property or inside the property, make sure pest control is one of your priorities. Keep an eye out for cracks, holes, and crevices, especially in walls and foundations. Sealing these entry points minimizes the chances of pests getting inside.
Keeping the property clean will also help with pest prevention. This is your job when the home is vacant or you’re turning it over between tenants, and it’s your resident’s responsibility while they’re living there. Include something in the lease agreement that reflects your expectation that they will participate in pest control. You don’t want trash building up in the kitchen, the hallways, or any common areas. That will only attract bugs and rodents. Everyone has a different standard of cleanliness, so this can be difficult to enforce. But, it’s not too much to ask that garbage be disposed of properly and food not left out.
Smart landscaping can also help prevent and deter pests from approaching or entering your property. Trim any overgrown vegetation that can serve as a bridge for pests to enter the property. Keep shrubs and trees well-maintained and away from the roof, the windows, and the foundation.
In addition to educating your tenants around prevention, you also want to make sure that they report any sightings right away.
Responding to Pest Problems at Your Property
Even with your best precautions, pests can still find their way inside. Here are some of the best ways that you and your tenants can deal with those unwelcome guests:
- Respond right away. Take any complaint about pests seriously and act promptly. Delays can worsen the infestation and increase the damage to your property. Make sure you’re working closely with a professional pest control service. When you have a regular contract in place and recurring preventative services, they’ll respond quickly when a specific problem arises. A good pest control partner will identify the type of pest problem you have, evaluate the extent of the problem, and recommend a treatment method as well as ongoing preventative services.
- Invest in follow-up. Secondary treatments may be necessary, especially if you’re dealing with something like bed bugs. Make sure you and your tenant are willing to make your property available to any additional follow-up services or inspections that are necessary.
- Document the measures you’ve taken. Keep detailed records of pest control measures taken, including the dates of treatment and the types of pesticides used. This information can be crucial for legal purposes and future management strategies.
Liability and Legal Considerations Around Potentially Toxic Treatments
In Los Angeles, landlords are generally responsible for pest control. The local housing department outlines specific codes that landlords must adhere to. Failure to comply can lead to penalties and costly lawsuits. Ensure that you understand your responsibilities and address any pest-related issue in accordance with local laws and regulations.
California has a state law (Prop65) that requires you to publish a list of chemicals that may be found in your rental property known to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. This is an exhaustive list, and you’ll want to make sure you’re disclosing any potentially hazardous materials to your tenants.
Effective pest control and management are critical components of running a rental property business in Los Angeles. By taking proactive preventative measures and responding promptly and effectively to infestations, you can maintain their property’s value and provide safe, comfortable living spaces for your tenants.
We can always help with pest control and all of your Los Angeles property management needs. Please contact us at Earnest Homes, and we’ll tell you more about how to protect your investment.
