Renting a Home

      Household Pests

[ Moving In | The Initial Inspection | Paying Rent | Landlord and Tenant Responsibilities | Household Pests ]

Vermin, rodents and other household pests occur in some rental properties. Pests live anywhere they can find food, water, warmth and shelter. Pest control companies regularly service many apartment buildings. Pests present serious health hazards to residents; therefore, the landlord is responsible for getting rid of them. If tenants are unable to eliminate household pests, the landlord is obliged to hire a professional exterminator. Local health departments can help tenants whose landlords are uncooperative in handling pest problems. Non-toxic methods of pest removal are preferable.

Learn how to identify pests, their risks and how to get rid of them. Inspect rentals carefully for traces of pests so you avoid moving into an infested home. Note: many common household pests come out only at night. If you are considering a rental that you suspect houses pests, ask to view the place after dark or ask other tenants who live in the building. Check out the CMHC booklet Farewell to Cockroaches.

Common Household Pests

Silverfish	Description	Elimination/Prevention
	Long, flat silver-grey body Broad at head and more narrow at rear Move quickly Prefer damp, warm areas Active at night Contaminate food	Seal areas of entry. Eliminate dampness.
Mice	Description	Elimination/Prevention
	Brownish grey body with a long tail Prefer indoors Enter buildings through tiny openings Active in evening Live in well-hidden spaces between ceilings and floors Eat and contaminate food	Seal holes even as small as a dime along exterior walls Cover vents with screens Seal or caulk pipes Use traps and monitor frequently
Fleas	Description	Elimination/Prevention
	Small black to brownish-black Stout legs and flattened body Found in dark corners, behind and under furniture, cracks and crevices in baseboards Feed on blood of household pets and humans Transmit diseases with their bite	Vacuum Use flea-control collars or pills for pets
Cockroaches	Description	Elimination/Prevention
	Oval with long, spiny legs Light brown with two stripes down the middle of the back Active at night and light scares them Attracted to food, water, warmth and darkness Carry filth and transmit diseases	Keep the kitchen clean and the bathroom dry Keep all food in sealed containers Cut off food and water sources elsewhere Seal cracks and cavities CMHC Guide: Farewell to Cockroaches
Rats	Description	Elimination/Prevention
	Brown rats are 12 to 17 inches long Grey rats are smaller Year-round pest Found where waste accumulates Contaminate and eat food	Seal stored goods Prevent waste from building up Seal quarter-sized openings in exterior walls Cover vents with screens Seal or caulk leaking pipes Use traps and monitor frequently.
Bedbugs	Description	Elimination/Prevention
	Small, oval and flattened Reddish-brown Active at night Bites leave minor to severe lumps or swelling and can cause bleeding	Clean and air bedding Replace mattresses that are infected Vacuum frequently
Carpenter Antss	Description	Elimination/Prevention
	Large black ant or black with red marks Active at night Prefer moist areas Live in walls, ceilings, doors and insulation Destroy wood structures by tunneling Carry germs with their bite .	Keep areas dry Remove food sources Seal honey, jelly, fruit, and meat Keep areas around the outside of house free of wood Spread diatomaceous earth along the foundation If infestation is present, locate and destroy the nest

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