Pest Control Tips & Best Practices For Safer Summers
Poolside afternoons, dinners by the grill, and warm walks with kids and pets. While summertime in a homeowners’ association (HOA) should be fun and stress-free, insect infestations can put a major damper on the season.
Tens of millions of homes experience pest problems every year from ants, spiders, flies, and a number of other nuisances. That’s why it’s so important to instill pest control measures early. Read on to learn more about HOA pest control, including common pests, pest control pricing, pest control best practices, and more.
What is Pest Control?
Pest control is the process used to manage, reduce, and eliminate unwanted insects, rodents, weeds, and other organisms to protect health, property, and agriculture. The pest control process includes inspecting, identifying, and removing pests. Removal often takes physical, chemical, and biological steps to protect homes, businesses, and other structures from infestation.
HOA Pest Control Responsibilities
To effectively manage bug and critter problems in an HOA, the association and homeowners must take a collaborative approach. Review your governing documents to see who’s in charge of property yard maintenance, interior maintenance, and exterior upkeep. While it varies, pest control measures may extend to various parts of the community, including:
- Common areas. Leaving pools, gyms, and the community clubhouse dirty will invite insects to get comfortable.
- Backyards/grounds. Overgrown landscaping, standing water, and outdoor clutter can happen on private property or community-managed grounds.
- Inside homes. Ants, mosquitoes, and flies can find their way indoors, and moisture welcomes roaches and centipedes.
- Structural elements. Termites can feed on wood, and mice and rats can make themselves at home between walls.
Identify who’s responsible for what and work together on a solution to tackle pest control issues.
Is Pest Control Worth It?
Pest control is typically worth every penny to create a comfortable living environment. Here are some of the top benefits of using pest control services:
- Keeps property values up. Pest-free communities are an important selling point and protect property values.
- Maintains resident satisfaction. When pest control methods keep bugs, insects, and other unwanted critters away, residents are happier.
- Prevents related issues. The problem with pests and rodents isn’t just their presence. They can also put associations in violation of health and safety standards.
- Gets ahead of greater costs. Paying for preventive measures now helps avoid costly fixes later.
Related: 8 Steps to Choosing the Right Vendors for Your Community
How Much Does Pest Control Cost?
The cost of HOA pest control or condo pest control varies. Here are the factors that affect the cost of pest control:
- Scope. Treating only the common areas may cost less than treating the entire community.
- Severity. Severe infestations of certain pests, like termites, can have a major impact on pricing.
- Region. Locations can leave associations susceptible to unique bugs, requiring specialized treatment.
- Frequency. Monthly pest control services may cost more than quarterly visits.
7 Common Pests in Neighborhoods
Some pests are particularly active during the warmer summer months. Keep yourself and your entire association safe by watching out for these nuisances as temperatures rise.
Ants
Ants are the most common pests in the United States, invading about half of homes each year. Track where the ants are coming from and cover the small cracks or openings they’re using. Extreme infestations should be handled by the pros.
Cockroaches
Studies show that cockroach droppings and body parts can trigger asthma symptoms and cause allergic reactions. Regularly wipe down surfaces, properly seal pantry items, and empty trash bins from the home to keep cockroaches at bay.
Termites
Mature termite colonies can cause structural damage to homes. Callin the experts to conduct inspections and provide control services to confirm your property is structurally sound.
Flies
House flies are believed to carry and spread diseases like Salmonella and tuberculosis. In addition to being a health threat, a fly-filled community can negatively impact an association’s reputation and contaminate food supplies. Uncovered food, spilled liquids, and trash attract flies. Prioritize proper disposal to minimize their presence.
Bees and Wasps
Look for signs of bees and wasps near eaves, gutters, and landscaping. While it may be tempting to resolve wasp nests or beehives yourself, it’s best to leave this task to professionals.
Mosquitoes
Despite being year-round pests, mosquitoes rise in number during the summer months. Pay close attention to entrances, areas with water, and dining spaces for signs of mosquitoes.
Rodents
Possums, mice, rats, and more can get onto your property and plummet values if they’re not addressed quickly. If they persist after you’ve secured your home, contact the experts for proper removal.
Birds
Yes, birds can be classified as pests with the potential to cause costly damage, contaminate products, and pose health threats. Sparrows and pigeons are some of the most common nuisances during summertime. Roofs, ledges, exterior signage, and outdoor dining areas are their top landing spots.
Pest Control Tips and Best Practices
Preventive measures are the key to effective pest control. Follow these tips to keep your community pest-free.
Maintain Your Grounds
Beautiful gardens, cut grass, and a variety of amenities can bring residents out of their homes during the summer, but they can also bring in unwanted guests. Don’t let pests crash the party:
- Trim overgrown branches and maintain consistent grass cutting
- Remove any unnecessary materials, like excess mulch
- Clean common areas often
Secure Exteriors
If you keep bugs out, they can’t make your community a new home. Practice these exclusion tactics to turn trouble away:
- Inspect exteriors with a pest control vendor for cracks, openings, and other potential entry points
- Install weatherstripping and window screens
- Use mesh screens and special coverings for outdoor A/C units to keep pests and rodents out
- Install fly lights near porches and front doors
Secure Interiors
The last place you want to see pests is inside. To prevent pests from coming indoors:
- Conduct regular interior pest control inspections
- Emphasize the importance of cleaning (wiping down surfaces, emptying trash cans, etc.)
- Stress the need for proper food storage practices
Pest Control and Other Important Maintenance Tasks
Pest control is just one important maintenance task that HOAs should take on during the summer. For a complete list of to-dos, download our “Summer Maintenance Guide” ebook. In it, you’ll learn the top 10 tasks to keep communities looking and feeling their best all season long.
Pest Control FAQs
What is the hardest pest to get rid of?
Bed bugs are considered the most difficult pest to eliminate due to their rapid breeding and ability to hide in tiny, hard-to-reach spaces. Termites are also a significant threat due to their ability to cause structural damage.
How much does it cost for a pest control treatment?
Pest control costs vary widely depending on the specific service needed. Service for a single home could cost $40-$600 per visit, based on the frequency of care and the amount of work done.
Which smell do termites hate?
Termites hate the smell of orange, clove, tea tree, eucalyptus, peppermint, cedarwood, and lemongrass oils. Use them to keep termites away.
Can you sleep after fumigation?
It’s recommended that homeowners wait for pesticides to dry completely before re-entering their home and sleeping. While this usually only takes a few hours, more intense fumigation can take up to 24 to 72 hours to subside.