Tips of the Turn: How to Incorporate Pest Control into Unit Turnover

How would you describe your ideal resident?

Friendly? Pays the bills on time? Never complains?

Even with the best of residents, there may be some unexpected surprises once it’s move-out time. What kind of surprises? We’re talking pests – specifically bed bugs, fleas and cockroaches. These pests may have become issues during the previous resident’s lease term for various reasons, and they could lengthen unit turnover time, ultimately affecting your revenue.

Setting up regular pest control inspections is a simple way to help avoid surprises. And, establishing a documented process for your pest management program, including bed bug inspections, could help you avoid costly infestations and even resulting lawsuits.

Don’t forget to take special care to identify pest activity before a new resident moves into an empty unit. Work with your pest management professional to thoroughly inspect and treat for the following common pests to help achieve a smooth unit turnover:

• Bed bugs are a huge threat as they reproduce quickly, are capable of surviving for longer than six months without a meal, and can easily spread from one apartment or room to another. While resident furniture and bedding will have been removed, there are still plenty of hiding spots for these pests. Bed bugs tend to hide in places like power outlets, behind peeling wall paper and in baseboards during daytime, so all of these places will need to be inspected and treated.
• Fleas are parasites that feed on the blood of an animal host. They are capable of spreading diseases such as plague, flea tapeworm and typhus. And even when residents and their pets are gone, flea eggs and pupae could exist in the carpet or cracks in the floor for months.
• Cockroaches can certainly be a disturbing pest. Ick factor aside, their presence can indicate bigger issues like unsanitary conditions and maintenance concerns. Cockroaches are also known to carry a number of disease-causing bacteria on their bodies, including Salmonella and E. coli. They can even introduce allergens and act as asthma triggers for affected residents.

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