Mice, ants, roaches, bats.
Cringe.
No one likes to think about critters taking up space in their homes, even if the critters are cute (we recently heard about a family of flying squirrels living in a linen closet).
Pests can damage your Santa Rosa rental property.
They can also freak out your tenants.
How can you protect your investment from the most common pests in this part of California? It’s all about prevention. Let’s talk about it.
Santa Rosa Rental Homes and Their Most Common Pests
Owning a rental home in Santa Rosa comes with plenty of perks, but sometimes it can mean the invasion of uninvited guests. Pests are a common issue in homes across Santa Rosa, primarily because of its mild weather and close proximity to nature. Knowing what to look for and how to tackle these critters can protect your investment and your tenant from unnecessary damage.
Here’s a list of the most common pests rental property owners in Santa Rosa encounter. Once we’ve identified the most pressing threats, we’ll share some important tips on how to handle and avoid them.
- Ants
Ants are one of the most persistent pests in Santa Rosa. Your tenants might notice sugar ants invading your kitchen in search of crumbs or report carpenter ants burrowing into wood structures. Warm weather and available food sources make your rental home a prime target.
What are the signs of an ant infection?
- Trails of ants on countertops and floors
- Small mounds of dirt near entry points (outdoor nests)
- Wood shavings, which may signal carpenter ants
Talk to your tenants about prevention. You’ll want them to seal food in airtight containers and clean crumbs immediately. As the property owner, you can seal cracks and entry points around doors, windows, and baseboards. If the infestation persists, consider calling pest control. Treatments like bait systems can address the root of the problem.
- Rodents
Mice and rats are common nuisances, especially during cooler months when they seek warmth and shelter indoors. These critters not only pose health risks but also cause structural damage by chewing on wires, insulation, and walls. You know you have mice or rats when your tenants notice chew marks on furniture or food packaging. There might be droppings found in the pantry or in attics and hidden corners of the home. If they hear scratching behind walls or in ceilings, it’s likely not a case of the house being haunted but rather a mouse or a rat going about their business.
Again, counsel tenants to store food securely so the rodents aren’t intrigued about tasting what they have to offer. Ask tenants to de-clutter areas like garages or attics. Steel wool or caulk can seal points of entry that might look like invitations to mice.
You can set traps if necessary, but then there’s the matter of removal. For a longer-term solution and to ensure this does not become a recurring problem, it might be better to schedule regular pest control.
- Spiders
Santa Rosa is home to various spider species, including harmless house spiders and occasionally more concerning ones like black widows. While spiders help control other pests in your home, nobody wants them hanging around unwanted. Did you know that pest bait does not work on spiders? The fact is, spiders don’t groom themselves. So, they’re not going to fall for the bait. Ha.
Anyway, the signs of spider infestations are pretty clear. Your tenants will notice the web.
Some of the most common prevention tips when it comes to spiders are:
- Vacuum webs regularly and sweep tight corners.
- Ensure your home is free of other pests that could attract spiders as prey.
- Pest control can help manage ongoing spider problems while offering peace of mind.
- Termites
Termites are terrible because not only are they going to completely gross your tenants out, but they’re also going to do some serious damage to your property if they’re left to do their work unchecked. In California, termites can silently wreak havoc on the structure of your investment property. The dry wood termite species is especially common in Santa Rosa due to the temperate climate. Damage from termites can quickly become costly if left untreated.
Signs of termite infestations include:
- Small holes in wooden furniture or walls
- Termite droppings (wood-colored pellets)
- Subterranean mud tubes near your foundation
For prevention, you’ll want to ensure your rental property has proper ventilation. Moisture actually attracts termites. It’s also a good idea to replace or treat decaying wood immediately. And, make sure those regular pest inspections are happening so your pest control tech can detect termite activity early.
- Cockroaches
High on the “ew” factor, cockroaches love warm, damp places, and Santa Rosa offers the perfect environment. These pests are not only unsightly but also carriers of bacteria and allergens. Tenants aren’t going to like encountering them when they move into your rental home. They’ll report droppings that look like black pepper. They might find egg cases in groups. Musty odors can indicate cockroaches, but the reason you’re most likely to hear about them from your tenants is that they’ll see the bugs scurrying into a hiding place once a light is turned on.
How are landlords in Santa Rosa preventing cockroaches? It’s not always easy. You might have heard that roaches are the only things that would survive a nuclear war, and we don’t doubt it. You can, however, educate your residents. Tell them to eliminate food and water sources by cleaning often. Don’t let any leaky pipes go untreated. When you keep trash cans sealed and emptied regularly, there’s less of a chance they’ll gather there.
Professional pest treatments are highly effective in eradicating cockroaches. Avoiding roaches is one of the best reasons to invest in regular pest control treatments.
- Garden Pests
Living close to nature means your rental property’s yard is likely to host its fair share of pests, including gophers, aphids, and wasps. While these might not invade your home directly, they can damage your garden and outdoor living spaces. Signs you might have some pests in the garden include:
- Wilting or chewed-up plants
- Holes in your yard indicating gopher activity
- Wasp nests near doors, windows, or eaves
Your landscaper might have some good ideas for preventing these pests. You can also use natural repellents or pesticides to manage pests like aphids. If gophers show up, set live traps to relocate them, and call pest control to remove wasp nests safely and effectively.
Preventing and Managing Pests in Santa Rosa Rentals
Avoiding pests isn’t just a matter of convenience; it’s a critical part of professional property management. Here’s why prevention should be a priority:
- Tenant Satisfaction. Happy tenants are likely to renew their leases. A pest-free home plays a significant role in their overall experience. Your attention to pests will contribute to tenant satisfaction and retention.
- Cost Savings. Prevention is often much cheaper than extermination and repairs caused by pests. Stay on top of this so it doesn’t become a huge problem later.
- Property Value. Regular maintenance, including pest prevention, protects your property’s long-term value.
- Legal Compliance. Local and state laws may require landlords to address pest issues quickly, avoiding potential disputes or penalties.
Here are practical steps you can take to deter pests from making your rental property their home.
- Regular Property Inspections
Frequent inspections are key to identifying potential pest issues before they become full-blown infestations. Look for signs such as droppings, nests, small holes in walls, and unexplained property damage. Early intervention can save time, money, and stress.
- Maintain Cleanliness
Work with tenants to ensure that common areas and personal spaces are kept clean. Unsecured food, overflowing trash, or clutter provide ideal conditions for pests like rodents and insects. Offering a clear cleaning checklist at move-in can set proper expectations.
- Seal Entry Points
Pests often gain access to a property through tiny cracks, gaps, or holes. Ensure:
- Doors and windows are properly sealed.
- Utility openings (like for pipes and cables) are tightly secured.
- Screens are free of tears or damage.
This is a simple yet effective way to prevent pest entry.
- Landscape Management
Overgrown vegetation and standing water attract pests such as mosquitoes, rodents, and ants. Regularly trim bushes, mow lawns, and clear debris to create an unwelcoming environment for pests.
- Routine Pest Control Services
Hiring a professional pest control company for routine treatments can prevent issues before they arise. Many companies in Santa Rosa offer eco-friendly solutions that ensure safety for tenants while protecting your property.
Your Santa Rosa property management team needs to have a solid plan for pest prevention. If they don’t, get in touch with us, and we’ll fix it. If you’ve been managing on your own and you’re not sure how to manage an army of ants or a committee of raccoons, we can help you relocate them or keep them from visiting again.
Please contact us at Prestige Real Estate & Property Management. We manage homes in Sonoma County, including Santa Rosa, Windsor, Sebastopol, Petaluma, and Rohnert Park.
