Many residential properties allow pets on the premises. Everyone loves pets, but they tend to create quite a few… complications, especially for property managers. Pet waste left on the yard. Barking at all hours of the night by untrained pups. Baseboards scratched up by energetic kittens. Toilets and drains clogged by wayward fluff. And then there’s the worst pet problem of all…

Fleas. Fleas can spread quickly and relentlessly through a residential property if even just one animal contracts them. When they spread, they create health and sanitation hazards, hurt people and pets, and generally make a mess of everything. Luckily, like the other pet-based hazards you contend with, there are ways to prevent flea problems in your building. By following flea exclusion tips below, you can keep the pests away from your furry friends and the building you care for. 
 

Stay on top of yard maintenance. 

The best way to defend against fleas is to make your property unappealing to them. Mow the lawn and trim the shrubs, trees, and ornamental plants regularly. Keep other landscaping simple. You want to keep your building’s yard as clean, clear, and organized as possible to make sure pests have nowhere to hide. If you plant shrubs or other plants, keep them at least a foot away from the building perimeter.
 

Make sure wild animals can’t access your property. 

Wild animals can and will attempt to use your building for food and shelter, even in the heart of New York City. Wild animals often have fleas, and these fleas will often decide to stick around after their hosts leave. To prevent this, you have to keep animals from attempting to sneak around your building. Animals want easily accessible food and shelter. Keeping them away means making sure they can’t get either of these things near you.

First, don’t let any tenets feed their animals or keep any food (pet or otherwise) outdoors. Seal your outdoor garbage cans and dumpsters whenever you’re not actively using them. Next, walk the perimeter of the building looking for nooks and crannies pests could use for shelter. These could include breaches in the building itself or just likely outdoor hiding places. Make sure animals can’t use these hiding places. The lower the chance wild animals approach your property, the lower the chance fleas make their way inside.
 

Train your tenants on how they can protect their pets.

If you want to keep fleas off your property, a little education can go a long way. Schedule voluntary anti-flea meetings, post pest control bulletins, or email flea prevention tips in a  newsletter. Make sure your tenants know how to spot the signs of flea infestation on their pet: abnormal scratching or licking, unusual red skin patches, hair loss, and pale gums.

While educating your tenant about fleas, it will also help to encourage general pet wellness. Remind your tenants to visit their veterinarians regularly and ask about flea treatments. Try to foster a “pet” culture in your building where everyone is proactive about pet care. Not only will proactive pet care prevent fleas, but it’ll also bring the residents of the building together! 
 

Make sure everyone knows the importance of cleanliness.

Fleas love a mess. Make sure your tenants know the risks that come from letting their individual spaces grow into disrepair. Filth doesn’t necessarily draw fleas, but it makes it easier for them to spread. Fleas and other pests lay eggs in dirty carpeting or throw rugs, in particular, so be sure everyone vacuums regularly.

If, despite all your best efforts, you still find that fleas have invaded your residential property, don’t fret. Just give the team at Assured Environments a call. Our professional pest technicians will take care of your existing problem and prepare you to prevent future ones. We want to help you keep your tenants happy and your pets healthy.