Landlords warned about tenant waste habits as mistakes lead to rodent surge

Poor waste habits among tenants are driving a surge in rat infestations, claims waste disposal experts.

Businesswaste.co.uk and pest control firm The Pied Piper warn landlords that poor waste habits among tenants are one of the biggest factors attracting rodents into rental properties.

The waste disposal experts have created a list of steps landlords can take to protect their properties, as well as the common mistakes that encourage infestations.

Reduce food waste

According to the pest experts, as thousands of students begin University for freshers’ week, it’s important for landlords to tell tenants that reducing food waste can stop rat infestations.

Pest control expert Tony King, owner of London pest control firm The Pied Piper, said: “One of the most common mistakes is tossing food scraps straight into loosely sealed outdoor bins, particularly meat, bones, and greasy leftovers.

“These are high-calorie foods that rats love, and the more consistent the food supply, the larger and more resilient the rats become. In fact, we’ve seen cases where rats have set up nests directly next to apartment waste areas because the access to junk food is constant. If you don’t want to encourage rats, the first thing you do is make your premises or home an unreliable source of food.”

Mr King recommends landlords give tenants a food waste caddy to prevent infestations.

He adds: “Having a food waste caddy in the home is an excellent practice and can be very effective in ensuring that rats and other unwanted critters stay away. The biggest advantage of having a food caddy with a tightly fitting lid is that food refuse is safely sealed away in your home, without odours escaping to attract pests.”

Keeping bins clean

Businesswaste.co.uk also recommends that landlords provide the correct bins for tenants, and for tenants to make sure bins are clean and that nothing is left outside them.

Graham Matthews, waste management expert at BusinessWaste.co.uk, said: “Keeping your wheelie bin clean reduces bad smells, germs, and stops pests. While it might not be the most glamorous job, spending time cleaning your bins every couple of months is a great way to stop insects like flies and maggots from taking over.

“There are some simple storage and disposal hacks that will prevent smells and pests at the source. Correct food waste disposal helps keep your bin clean, but it also means you’ll be doing your bit for the environment.”

If waste isn’t managed properly in a rented property, it can become a hotbed for pests

The list also recommends using natural deterrents such as peppermint oil and white vinegar to stop rat infestations. According to Mr King, rats hate white vinegar due to its acidity and strong smell, and he recommends spraying it around bin areas and compost heaps.

Businesswaste.co.uk warns landlords that if tenants fail to manage their waste properly, it can become a hotspot for pests.

Mr Matthews says: “If waste isn’t managed properly in a rented property, it can become a hotbed for pests, especially when it becomes an issue.

“Many people simply take their rubbish out and forget about it until an issue arises. It’s important to implement preventative measures, which are easier and cheaper in comparison to fixing a pest problem which has already begun. The easiest solution is making waste as inaccessible to pests as possible.”

Other recommendations include making sure compost heaps are protected with wire and hiring pest control services if infestations worsen.