Move Over Bedbugs: There’s a New Creepy Crawler in Town

pestsWith bedbugs taking center stage for so long, it’s easy to forget about all the other creepy crawlers out there that would love to take up residence in your rental property.

But the combination of warm weather and serious flooding across the country has been a boon to pests of all kinds.

North Carolina is experiencing an increase in moisture-loving millipedes. Some areas in the south are seeing an influx of snakes. Usually dry, cold nights in Colorado put an end to mosquitoes by now.  But the recent deluge followed by warm weather has spawned a fresh batch of these blood-suckers. Displaced rodents are looking for shelter.  And spiders are popping up everywhere.

The National Pest Management Association warns that your future could be full of creepy pests.  So, here are some pest-proofing tips for the fall season:

Screen attic vents and openings to chimneys.

Eliminate moisture sites, including leaking pipes and clogged drains.

Seal cracks and crevices on the outside of the home using caulk and steel wool. Pay close attention where utility pipes enter the structure.

Remind tenants to store food in airtight containers and dispose of garbage regularly in sealed receptacles.

Replace loose mortar and weather stripping around the basement foundation and windows.

Store firewood at least 20 feet away from the house; keep shrubbery well trimmed.

Install door sweeps and repair damaged screens.

American Apartment Owners Association offers discounts on products and services for all your property management needs. Find out more at www.joinaaoa.org.