Tips and Tricks for Managing Mice, Ants, and Other Pests

The Central Oregon area is beautiful with easy access to natural landscapes and areas. While it's a fun to be in a location that has such easy access to natural resources, this also means that pests like mice, ants, bees, and other pests can have easy access to your home too! When living in your home or long term residential rental, it's essential that you do certain things to keep your living environment clean, safe, and comfortable, including managing pests.

Village Properties tenants agree to perform the following tips, tricks, and actions in advance of submitting work orders to our maintenance teams:

Managing Mice

Dealing with mice in the home can be frustrating, but there are several effective strategies to manage and prevent them:

• Seal Entry Points: Mice can squeeze through surprisingly small gaps. Check for and seal any holes or cracks in walls, floors, and around pipes using materials like steel wool or caulk.

• Keep the House Clean: Mice are attracted to food and clutter. Store food in airtight containers and clean up crumbs and spills promptly. Regularly clean areas where mice might find food, such as under appliances.

• Use Traps: Snap traps and catch-and-release traps can be effective. Place them along walls, behind appliances, and in other areas where you've seen signs of mice. Be cautious with traps if you have pets or children.

• Consider Bait Stations: These are pre-baited and designed to be tamper-resistant, making them safer for homes with pets and children. Place them in areas where you've seen mouse activity.

• Employ Natural Deterrents: Some people find success using natural deterrents like peppermint oil, which mice dislike. Soaking cotton balls in peppermint oil and placing them around potential entry points can help.

• Use Ultrasonic Repellents: These devices emit a high-frequency sound that is unpleasant for rodents but inaudible to humans. They can be effective but should be used in conjunction with other methods.

• Maintain the Yard: Keep your yard tidy by trimming bushes and removing debris where mice might nest. Ensure that garbage bins are sealed tightly and kept away from the house.

• Firewood:  Do not store any firewood up against the siding of house or other structure unless it is specifically designated to be for wood storage.

  
  

Managing Bees

There are many different species of bees, and the locations of hives will vary.  Often, they can be taken care of easily by using a locally purchased consumer-grade wasp and bee spray.  Before submitting a work order for extermination, take a moment to see if you can effectively rid the problem with a spray option.

Managing Ants

If you suspect there are Carpenter Ants outside or inside your home an exterminator will be required to treat the infestation.  We request you submit a work order.  First try to identify the type of ants that are present

Carpenter ants are large ants indigenous to many forested parts of the world. They build nests inside wood, consisting of galleries chewed out with their mandibles or jaws, preferably in dead, damp wood.  Their bodies have 3 segments.  Not to be confused with sugar ants have two-segmented bodies, are small and are either predominantly red, brown or black. 

If you have sugar ants, first look to remove the source of attraction in your home.  They are attracted to spills, stains, and other food traces.  These tiny invaders follow invisible trails to find even the smallest spills.

There are a variety of ant bait products available at your local stores.  We suggest you look for one that is safe for use around children and animals.  Unless there is an extreme infestation, this is a tenant responsibility.