State Specific Question About: MISSOURI (MO)

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone knew what the Missouri Law states about who is responsible for pest problems.

My tenant is having spider problems. She just moved in in April and says she's tried spraying, etc. I figured I would tell her I will get an exterminator to get rid of the spiders this one time and that any infestations after that will be her responsibility. My property is in Kansas City, MO. I am guessing that spiders are a common problem in KC?...

How do you usually handle these pest issues?

Thanks,

Jade

Spiders, Ants, Pests Oh MY!.....tell her this is an atmospheric situation and she needs to handle them herself - Hot Shot in the late/cool of the evening or an old broom to bring them down...weather gets cooler, they will go underground.

And if you have a good pest control company, please let me know!

If you don't provide for it in your lease, I would say it's the tenant's problem. I offer a verbal "guarantee" to tenants wherein I state that I will take care of any bug problems for up to 60 days after the lease is signed. This is out of my own good graces and is designed so that the tenant knows I run a quality deal (no roach motels).

I know most folks don't like spiders (and quite a few of afraid of them) but since they consume insects such as flies, mosquitoes, even roaches, I've always thought they didn't necessarily fall into the category of "pests".

Once when I had a young pup from Orkin doing my yearly termite inspection, he tried to talk me into buying one of their special programs, telling me that spiders are "known to carry 57 different kinds of diseases". I tried to politely point out that he was wrong and that in the entire scheme of pest control, spiders were more helpful than harmful.

Generally in single family homes the tenant is responsible for "pests." In a multi-family, the tenant is.

I don't see spiders as a problem, although some of my tenants do. I tell them they can take care of spiders themselves.

Sometimes spiders come in with flowers from the florist. After Mom passed I brought the smaller vases and arrangements home.

Thanks for the suggestions. I will treat it this one time, since I didn't do it before she moved in and have told her that she's responsible for any pests after that.

Check the outside - tree limbs and bushes touching the house will bring spiders.

In Indiana, law says spraying a single house is resident's responsibility.

Multis must be sprayed by LL.

I like to keep tenants happy. A little concern can build lots of goodwill. Bugs don't bother me but to some it is nightmare-city!

I am very concerned about my liability so I suggest the tenant find a suitable product, spray it, and I will reimburse them - $20 limit. If their kiddo starts wheezing, it's not my fault.

Nearly all spiders have to have webs to eat/survive. Go over and point out webs around ceilings, room corners, etc. and tell her she'll have to keep those down to keep the spiders out. The same applies to the outside of the house and if there is a crawl space, bomb it every 2-3 months during warm seasons.