Keeping an entire building free of pests is a lot more difficult than keeping one apartment free of pests. Building managers need to adopt building-wide policies and initiatives to minimize the possibility of pest infestations entering the building and spreading from one unit to another. Here are some key directives that can help building managers and other property management staff assure that every unit is on board with an integrated pest management plan.

Establish a Preventative Treatment Schedule

Setting up regular extermination visits will help to prevent the development of pest infestations, and it can help managers learn about an infestation early on before it becomes severe and more problematic to treat. For assistance with pest management Portland OR, reach out to a professional extermination company that can create a customized plan to tackle your building’s pest situation. A regularly scheduled time every month helps residents more tolerant about having their units treated.

Make Extermination Mandatory

Repeatedly being refused access to a unit can complicate treatment and undermine your pest control efforts in other units. Your lease or an occupancy agreement incorporated into your lease should make clear that participation in pest control is mandatory.

Send Reminder Notices

Of course, you must provide tenants with reasonable notice in advance of entering a unit. It’s a good practice to do this before every extermination visit even when the schedule is always the same. The notice should specify that you will be entering the unit (regardless of whether the tenant is home).

Address Residents’ Questions and Concerns About Treatment Methods

If tenants’ have concerns about the chemicals that an exterminator will use, you should address their concerns with your extermination company. A technician can explain the risks associated with each form of pesticide and suggest pet-friendly alternatives and products that are safe for people with respiratory conditions.