The $300 Pest Control Bill That Wasn’t Needed

Recently a tenant contacted us frustrated that ant bait wasn’t working — and the ant problem was getting worse.  Fortunately, the solution was simple once we identified the real issue

The Issue
A tenant noticed ants inside the property and had already tried using gel bait to solve the problem. However, the ants kept returning.

What We Found
After speaking with the tenant, our property manager discovered the bait had been placed inside the home because the tenant was worried the wind would blow it away outside. Unfortunately, this meant the bait was attracting ants further into the property rather than drawing them away from it.

The solution
We explained to the tenant how to securely place the bait outside so it stayed protected from the wind while still working effectively. The ant issue was quickly resolved, without needing an exterminator.

Why This Matters for Owners
This is where experienced property management makes a real difference.

An inexperienced property manager may have immediately recommended professional pest treatment, potentially costing the owner several hundred dollars unnecessarily.

Instead, proper diagnosis, practical advice, and good tenant communication solved the issue quickly and cost-effectively.

Small day-to-day issues like this are where experienced property managers provide enormous value, protecting both the property and the owner’s long-term costs.