When you’re renting, it’s important not to attract critters. A wild animal in your apartment or building can cause major health problems or serious damage. These tips can help you and your roommates reduce the risk of wildlife invasion.
Keeping Trash Outside
Trash lingering inside the house can attract bugs and wild animals alike. Clear out your trash bins when you can, and put the bags into secure trash cans outside. Be sure to follow the regular pickup schedule for your trash and recycling. This will help you maintain a good schedule for taking out the garbage.
Not all Trash Cans Are the Same
If animals are knocking over your trash cans and eating your garbage, you may need to talk to your landlord about investing in better trash cans. Wild animals will want to live with easy access to food that they don’t have to work hard for. Ideally, you should have animal-proof garbage cans with locking lids. You should always keep the lids securely attached to the pails. Strong, sturdy, locking cans will help deter animals from finding permanent residence on the rental property.
Larger apartment buildings may have dumpsters on the premises. But even those are not all made the same. Dumpsters ideally should be sturdy metal with secure, locking lids.
Keeping Rooms Clean When Renting
Clean and tidy spaces can help deter wild animals and bugs. Dust and clutter give animals places to hide. Keep all food in designated areas, like the kitchen and dining room. Avoid eating or leaving food waste in other rooms. Regular sweeping, vacuuming, and mopping can be an important way to reduce the risk of rodent or bug activity.
Damaged Screens and Drafty Windows
Improperly sealed or compromised windows and doors can be used as entry points for wild animals. When you notice that a screen is damaged or there is damage near vents, doors, windows, or pipes, inform your landlord immediately. It is their job to fix the problems before they become a greater issue.
Damages to the property like those mentioned above happen all the time, naturally. As the house settles, and time goes on, things wear down. It is important to have your landlord fix them before it gets much worse.
Documenting Damage While Renting
When you contact the landlord for repairs or to report damages that need to be fixed, document them. Save emails, texts, and a record of phone calls to the landlord. Make note of when they come to repair or fix damages. If they call in an expert, document the company used, and the name of the technician. As a renter, it is important to keep a record of this information in the event that you need it.
Rats and Mice in Apartment Buildings
In New York and New Jersey, there are millions of rats and mice. But not every building is going to have them. A well-maintained and well-cleaned apartment complex will be less likely to have a rodent problem. If you notice signs of a rodent infestation, let your landlord know immediately.
Wildlife Invasion in Your Apartment
If a wild animal enters your home, you should call your landlord. They should hire a wildlife removal specialist to handle the removal of the animal. A humane wildlife removal service will remove the animal(s) without the use of chemicals that can be harmful to you and those living with you. New York/New Jersey Wildlife Removal provides all-inclusive service, including clean-up and repairs once the critters are cleared out.