eChipmunks

Is my lanlord responsible for pest control services??

Two years ago we moved into this house. It was invested w/ spiders, ants, roaches and a few mice. Our lanlord never sprayed. We've been trying to get rid of the problem since. The ants are understandable and under controll, but the spiders arent. We have black widows and lots of other spiders as well. We have two cats and a three months old baby now. I killed 8 spiders in the last three days alone. The house needs a pest control service. Is my lanlord resposible for paying the pest control service? Two years ago we moved into this house. It was invested w/ spiders, ants, roaches and a few mice. Our lanlord never sprayed. We've been trying to get rid of the problem since. The ants are understandable and under controll, but the spiders arent. We have black widows and lots of other spiders as well. We have two cats and a three months old baby now. I killed 8 spiders in the last three days alone. The house needs a pest control service. Is my lanlord resposible for paying the pest control service? And our lanlord is family.

Public Comments

1. U have to read the lease. Most landlords have it that you are resposnible for "light" pest control, and if it is very bad, they'd take care of it. That sounds like its pretty bad and you should read the lease, and call the landlord.
2. Yes,,,,he is responsible. If you or any of your family gets bitten by a spider,,,,he will be responsible for all the doctor bills if he has not taken care of the problem.
3. Laws differ from state to state, but generally, landlords have a responsibility to maintain the upkeep of certain things after and before tenants move in. Check with your health department, in some states you can legally with hold rent in the case of infestations of pests and rodants.
4. You should have had him take care of that when you moved into the house. Since you did not and since you have been there 2 years, I would bite the bullet and either pay to have it sprayed since you like the neighborhood or the house or buy some tiger spray concentrate at Home Depot and spray according to the directions. I have used it and it's good stuff. Kill crawling things dead. Caution that after you spray you need to leave the house for about 4 hours until it is dry. This means pets also. Otherwise find a new home. Where do you live to have this many insects?
5. I would read the lease and see what it covers.. You don't state where you are from.. but ORTHO makes this product called ORTHO HOME DEFENSE it comes in gallon spray containers and you can use it INSIDE/OUTSIDE the perimeter of your home and around doors and windows.. .It works on many different types of insects.. fleas, spiders, ants ticks, silverfish, ladybugs,cockroaches it's nonstaining so you can spray it along baseboards and behind appliances... etc... It's NOT expensive about $10 If you spray it every 6 months you shouldn't have a problems. Spray around the foundation of you home and around doors/windows... Let it dry.... As for mice... You can place cotton balls with peppermint oil in your cupboards, behind appliances, wherever you've seen mice droppings they don't like the strong smell.... To trap existing mice you can use a bucket with peanut butter smeared on the lip.. Get two-three bricks and make "steps" into the bucket.. The mice will fall in (dispose!). Good luck
6. The answer to this question rest largely upon the stated terms in your lease and kind of landlord/slumlord owner, so read your lease. However in all instance there is an implied warranty of habitability that covers all tenants and all that you have described thus far would certainly qualify your place of residence as being inhabitable which would make your landlord responsible for correcting these violations