Pest control issues and expenses

[Ben M.]

Three years being a rental property owner in Texas City and just found out it seems pest control may be a necessary expense I will have to take on? Had to deal with pest control issues during make ready since the previous tenants were not taking care of it.

It’s a duplex and it seems this might add an additional expense of $800 per year for both units. But hopefully the expense will also prevent high turn over which reduces vacancy expenses.

How is everyone usually dealing with this

[Scott Mac]

Hi Ben,

Get a few more bids, and make sure you do not buy services you do not need.

In other words, find the lowest cost package of services that meet you needs.

Walk the property with each pest bidder and if they point out things to fix, such as lids on garbage cans, holes caulked up in the siding, resident unwashed dishes in sink that should not be there...etc...Photo them with your phone and fix them.

Be wary of the neighbors pets and kids when they prescribe a solution for you. Lots of stray both run the neighborhoods here in Texas...and some of their stuff is very poison. 

CYA and ask them about pet and child friendly solutions (a neighborhood is not a commercial truck stop).

Good Luck!