Who would have thought your Slaton rental property has a bed bug infestation?! What to do now? For starters, do not ever blame the residents. Bed bugs are can literally be found almost anywhere, so common that even 5-star hotels and airplanes have them. Bed bugs are not lured by dirt, but by human beings, and being clean does not guarantee they won’t invade.
If you have an idea about where bed bugs like to hide, then you ought to first get rid of that immediately. As bed bugs often hide in beds, naturally they will work their way into mattresses, bedding, and other furniture, like couches. They also have the nasty habit of hiding in clothing, luggage, and even baseboards.
Indeed, you have to make it a priority to clean these items. If your residents have moved out, then that makes things easier for you. Just make sure that the property is vacuumed and cleaned entirely with hot water. If, however, you have current residents with a bed bug infestation, have them start by deep polishing off all the places bed bugs might hide. Consider providing your residents with a cleaning checklist for bed bugs and offer to assist them to find a professional company that can help get the job done correctly.
You will need to have your residents clean all of their bedding, linens, curtains, and clothing in hot water, make them understand that they have to dry them on the highest drying setting possible. If they have stuffed animals, shoes or anything else that are not allowed in the washing machine, they will need to put those in a dryer cycle on high setting for at least 30 minutes.
Mattresses need to be scraped with a stiff brush and then vacuumed fully. This means removing the backing from box springs and vacuuming inside as well as out. After that, mattresses should be locked in tightly-woven plastic covers for at least a year. Because bed bugs can survive up to a year without feeding, it would be wise to have a plan for a possible reoccurrence.
Bed bugs can also creep in any cracks in plaster or under peeling wallpaper, so it’s important to have those checked regularly and to get them repaired immediately. If these items aren’t already part of your current property management plan, you have to think about hiring a property management company with experience dealing with bed bug infestations in Slaton.
Because despite all the cleaning and repairs, bed bugs are proven to be effectively eliminated by using an experienced pest control professional. Using pesticides in the bedroom can be dangerous unless done correctly. This is where an experienced property management company can be your best resource.
At Real Property Management Services, we have the information and expertise you need to address a bed bug infestation quickly and effectively. Our property managers will work with you, your residents, and expert service providers to get your property back to bug-free in no time. For more information about our property management services, please contact us online or give us a call at 806-853-6546 today!
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