Arlington Pest Control Tips for Renters (& How To Protect Yourself)

When pests come into your home, as a renter, it is often a confusing experience. You cannot make any significant structural changes, and it depends on who is paying for the treatment. Even the stress of the landlords, the risk of health, and the shame of inviting uninvited critters over can become quite too hard to bear. Arlington is a competitive rental market, so you want to do everything you can to keep your security deposit while making sure your living space is comfortable and safe.

A reliable pest control company in Arlington knows the pest challenges specific to Arlington and, when things get serious, can be the one who figures your situation out.

Common Pests Found In Condos and Apartments In Arlington

• Cockroaches

Roaches are a scourge of Arlington’s older units, especially the ones not overhauled in the 1980s, as my friend relays. This tough little bugger loves the humid weather the area has to offer and can easily be hiding in one of many different places in old plumbing and electrical systems. 

• Rodents

The county health department reports that about 15% of rental properties experience rodents each year. Gaps between pipes and walls and old building foundations allow mice and rats to access the property easily. The county’s urban sprawl makes for a plethora of food sources, from the backs of restaurants to poorly stored trash in apartment complexes.

• Bed Bugs

The shifting nature of Arlington residents, several of whom move around a lot because of new opportunities within the DC metro area, helps the bed bugs disperse. For this reason, apartment buildings are the last place you want these pests since they hitch rides on furniture, luggage, and clothing. 

• Ants

In Arlington, where the landscape is basically concrete, pavement ants and odorous house ants are seen quite a bit, highlighting their high preference for concrete. They frequently get in through the foundations of buildings, which is especially problematic in the hot, dry summer months when they search for water sources inside.

What Can You Do As Renters If Pests Are Found?

1. Document Everything Immediately

Take pictures of any signs of pests and videos of anything moving. Keep a list of dates, times, and locations where you have seen pests. Documenting this when communicating with your landlord provides legal protection. Store all communication or correspondence related to the pest problem in one place.

2. Notify Your Landlord in Writing

Landlords in Arlington County must keep homes in livable condition, which includes being free from pests. When you find some pests, make sure you write a letter to your landlord immediately. Contact using email or certified mail to create a record. Virginia law usually allows landlords a 30-day window to fix a pest problem, although some emergencies may require swifter action.

3. Know Your Rights Under Virginia Law

In Virginia, pest infestations that arise from structural issues in the rented property or landlord behavior fall under the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, which affords certain protections to renters. If your landlord does not resolve the problem in a timely manner, then the law allows you to stop paying them rent or break your lease. But if you caused the infestation (i.e., bad hygiene), you may have to pay the treatment costs.

Arlington residents have had a lot of success with professional services that focus on working with multi-unit residential properties, such as Green Pest Services, which services all of Northern Virginia. Exterminators aware of the pet loads and challenges of systems are trained to deal with systems and work directly with occupants. Property supervisors are also trained to create thorough treatment strategies that deal with both the source of the issue and the rate of infestation.

4. Take Preventive Measures

Seal cracks around doors and windows, store food in sealed containers, and remove standing water. By keeping your surroundings clean and decluttered on a regular basis, you will make your space undesirable to pests and easier to treat when the professionals arrive.