Real Property Management California Coast

A Property Manager’s Guide to Dealing with Wasps

You are probably one of the many people who hate stinging insects. In fact, wasps pose a very serious safety issue for Manhattan Beach rental property owners. Although wasps have a somewhat exaggerated reputation for aggressiveness, a single wasp sting can lead to hazards that range from allergic reactions to being attacked by an entire swarm. Disturbing a wasp nest accidentally or on purpose can also lead to an attack. Potential wasp problems on your rental property are best dealt with immediately and correctly. Here are some tips on dealing with wasps. Choose one that seems proportionate to how big your wasp problem is.

It is vital that you keep wasps as far away as possible from your rental property. Keep wasps away by identifying places where wasp nests are likely to be. Secure protected nooks and crannies around your rental property, like under the eaves, in a shed, or inside a wall because these are where wasps usually like to make their nests. Remember that wasps may also live in trees on in the ground.

You can use wasp repellents on your property’s exterior surfaces to keep your property free from wasps. Some studies show that combining some essential oils can help drive wasps away. In particular, a mixture of clove, geranium, and lemongrass essential oils sprayed around eaves, ledges, and crevices can keep wasps away.

Seal off trash bins and cracks around windows and doors to keep wasps at bay. Wasps like places that have abundant food sources. Exposed trash and compost mounds are very inviting areas. Keep wasps away from your rental property by reminding your tenants to keep their garbage bins closed. Tell them to avoid composting as well. You can also keep wasps out of interior spaces by regularly checking for and sealing up cracks, holes, or other entry points in the exterior.

In addition to sealing potential entry points, you should also check for wasps that might already be inside your rental home. If you see wasps buzzing around, try your hardest to trace them back to the source. It would be useless to kill individual wasps if you don’t eliminate their nest. In case you find a small wasp nest, you have to deal with it right away. Leaving the nest alone would only make your problem worse. Mix dish soap and water and spray this mixture on the nest and the wasps. This method has been proven to be effective. Soap makes it difficult for the wasps to breathe, thus ridding your property of these insects fairly quickly. You can also use sprays manufactured for killing individual wasps or draw them far away from the house by means of a baited trap.

These methods are generally effective for small numbers of wasps. However, for large nests, you need a different solution. Do not try to remove a large nest by yourself. Never hit or knock down a wasp nest. It doesn’t matter if you think there aren’t any wasps inside. Spraying it with water or burning it won’t help either. These could cause a disaster. Disturbing a wasp nest will result in an angry swarm of stinging insects that will attack you and anyone else nearby. If your tenants find a large nest on your property, caution them to stay away and call a professional immediately. Although wasps seldom attack if left alone, they can cause serious injury or even death when provoked. Call a professional to get rid of wasps the safe way, and protect yourself from these risks.

Have you found the perfect investment home but need the perfect property management company? Reach out to Real Property Management California Coast. Contact us online or give us a call at 310-535-2150.