CAI-NJ June 2017

CODE RED... from page 34.

among the property manage- ment team, the residents, and the pest control professional. Work with a licensed pest con- trol professional before prob- lems arise. Regular inspections and preventative treatments can make all the difference in keeping pests at bay. There are some particularly troublesome summertime pests that every property manager should have on their radar.

bage, or potential entry points. Of course, despite one’s best efforts, infestations happen. And if there is an infestation, it needs to be tackled in its early stages. Pest infestations in community properties can be especially difficult to control. Because there are shared floors and walls, a pest problem can spread through a building from one unit to the next like wildfire. Pest problems are also compounded by shared areas like elevators, hall- ways, and laundry rooms that can serve as “pest exchange depots” among residents. All too often, small signs of a pest invasion go unad- dressed until that infestation becomes a major problem. Communities that property managers who are proactive with pest control have fewer infestations, and when they do occur, are smaller and much easier to resolve. What can a property manager do to be proactive? • Educate residents and maintenance staff about pest preven- tion and the importance of timely reporting signs of insect activity. Effective pest control must be a collaborative effort

© iStockphoto.com

"These two insects have one miserable trait in common: the ability to spread a host of diseases through their bites."

Ticks and Mosquitoes These two insects have one miserable trait in common: the ability to spread a host of diseases through their bites. They can transmit Lyme disease, West Nile virus, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Chikungunya virus, and, if all that weren’t enough, the frightening Zika virus has been added to the list. This year, property managers need to be vigilant

CONT I NU E S ON PAGE 38

36

J U N E , 2 0 1 7