Tenant wants us to come back and re-spray wasp nest

Real Estate Investor · Minneapolis, MN · Member since 2017 · 164 posts · 30 votes

We sprayed a nest that was forming, and apparently that didn’t take care of the bees. Tenant asked us to come back out and spray,and we told them they can spray the bees going forward as needed. Once we told them that, they sent,”The wasps unfortunately never left but we thought it was a slow acting poison or something. In any case that makes sense, we can take care of it. Thanks for getting back to me right away! Should we just take a picture of the receipt to have it counted toward rent since this was an exciting pest problem?” Thoughts?

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Joseph Insalata
Bloomington IL · Member since 2018 · 6 posts · 0 votes
8y
Personally, I would take the matter into your own hands rather you take care of it or hire someone else to take care of it. This way you control how much you spend to fix the problem. Chances are the tenant isn't going to hire some super expensive pest control company but it is best if you just pay to have it taken care of rather than having the tenant do it. If the tenant really insists on taking care of it, I don't think there should be any problem but it is just easier if you can control your expenses
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Kelly Conrad
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Real Estate Investor · Minneapolis, MN · Member since 2017 · 164 posts · 30 votes
8y
Thanks for the response! I think we’ll credit $5 as it’s more expensive for us to actually drive out there and do it for them. However, how should I word it so that it’s extremely clear that no credits will be given going forward? I don’t want to set a precedent that every time little things happen like this that they’re going to not pay the full rent.
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Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
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Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
8y
You don't need to hire anyone and you don't need to spray it. Tenants should take a measure of responsibility for acts outside your control. If they have a wasp nest, spray costs a few dollars and can be operated by anyone. One can is typically enough for a couple treatments for a small nest.
Even if you decide to pay for it, do not lower the rent. Always make the tenant pay full rent and then reimburse them for the expense after verifying the job is completed properly.
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Wayne Brooks
Real Estate Professional · West Palm Beach, FL · Member since 2012 · 23k+ posts · 13k+ votes
8y
Well, are they wasps or bees, two completely different things. Wasps are killed immediately with wasp spray, then you knock the nest down and throw it away. Honey Bees are not killed by wasp spray and typically stores are not allowed to sell chemical to kill honey bees as there is an issue with their survival. Honey bees need a professional exterminator co.
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Chad C.
Rental Property Investor · Denver, CO · Member since 2017 · 25 posts · 16 votes
8y
I am very curious about this subject. My PM company suddenly charged me $200 to take care of a nest on one of my properties. (I don’t even want to get into the exorbitant rate). I’ve emailed them, but I don’t see this is my responsibility. I’m not paying for Orkin to come out and treat for spiders regularly and I don’t see this any differently as they are both considered pest control in my mind. Am I wrong?
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Chad C.
Rental Property Investor · Denver, CO · Member since 2017 · 25 posts · 16 votes
8y
Just re-read my lease again and definitely going to press my PM company it says this:
"Lessee is expected to maintain and care for the property, which includes, but is not limited to the following: Pest control including but not limited to mice, ants, small rodents, etc."
I definitely feel like this is on the tenant - bees/wasps are common, especially in Denver. As far as this topic goes I don't think landlords should automatically assume responsibility for pests unless it is missing or specified in the lease agreement.
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Mark H.
Richmond, VA · Member since 2016 · 215 posts · 129 votes
8y
If they're bees, your local bee keepers group will come take them away for you.
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Mary R.
Investor · Tucson, AZ · Member since 2009 · 171 posts · 27 votes
8y
I used to be plagued by wasps in my south facing carport. A friend told me to hang brown lunch bags up where they wanted to build. I got a package of lunch bags, opened 4-5 and inserted a sheet of lightly crumpled newspaper in each, squeezed the openings and tied them closed with a long string, and hung the bulbous bags in the areas the wasps were planning to build. They wereeffective for 2-3 years, then the explorers weren't leaving fast enough for me, so I sprayed the bags with the wasp spray. No more wasps! I do still keep wasp spray handy, just in case.
The bee keepers will come: I called a few last week. Over the phone estimates ranged in my area from $150 to $275, more if conditions called for it.
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