Condo Media - May 2013 - 27

management program. As the saying
goes, an ounce of prevention is worth
a pound of cure. And in the case of termites or bed bugs, a cure can translate
into thousands of dollars in unbudgeted treatments or damage repair if
preventive treatments were not made.

Communicating to
Tenants/Owners

As is the case in most business situations, clear and consistent communication is often the best path to achieving
positive results. When it comes to
establishing protocols for reporting and
dealing with pest management problems in multi-unit apartment or condo
complexes, all parties need to keep the
lines of communication open.
Good communication allows pest
management professionals to do their
job effectively and in a timely manner. Armed with knowledge of where
pests have been sighted and if there are
favorable conditions promoting pest
activity, a pest management professional can address the concerns of tenants,
owners, property managers, and condo
association boards.

Rely on the Experts

Another important part of the communication process is tapping into
the expertise of the pest management
professional. Your pest management
partner is a valuable resource in helping
communicate the facts about pests and
to dispel myths and urban legends of
pests and pest control. Many pest control companies offer training for both
property managers and tenants on basic
pest identification and best practices.
Maintaining an open dialogue with
residents and clearly spelling out responsibilities for reporting and dealing
with pest issues is a proactive approach
that can help property managers and
condo associations head off potential
pest problems before they get out of
hand and require significant time and
monetary resources to correct. CM
Rich Stevenson is chief technical ofﬁcer
and co-owner of Modern Pest Services.

Four Ways to Avoid Legal
Problems With Pests
Protecting the property you manage or own from unhealthy and destructive pests requires a
partnership with a professional pest management company that can accurately identify and
perform the necessary treatments to eliminate pests and prevent them from coming back.
There are, however, several steps you can take to prevent pest issues from becoming a
bigger hassle and expense than they are.
• Keep the lines of communication open. Make sure tenants or owners know how
and when to report pest problems to your ofﬁce, and keep a record of such incidents.
Inform residents about potential pest threats and helpful information (from your pest
management partner) on how to prevent or spot trouble.
• Establish protocols and get it in writing. Review your lease or homeowners documents with an attorney and make sure it speciﬁes who is responsible for notifying you
about a pest problem and who is responsible for paying for the service.
• Do your homework. When selecting a pest management professional be sure to check references and receive a written estimate and a signed contract for services to be performed.
• Be proactive. Consider contracting for a regular pest management inspection and
treatment program to keep an eye out for pests and be proactive in treating for them.

al
Residenti
eCare
Hom
Green
m
Progra ts!
0 pes
covers 6

Fast, Effective Pest Solutions Since 1945
Largest, privately-owned pest management firm in New England
• Year-round pest protection for your home and business
• Trained and licensed service professionals
• Customized programs for bed bugs, termites,
mosquitoes, ticks and more...
• Flexible scheduling and competitive pricing

Call us today for a
FREE estimate

1-800-323-7378

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Condo Media • May 2013

Condo Media - May 2013

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Condo Media - May 2013