Businesses need to be aware of pest threats on their property. Pest issues can blow up into major expenses that hit your bottom line. Business especially in food service and food processing, retail stores, warehouse and storage facilities, and hospitals and pharmaceutical locations are commonly prone to pest issues. Preventing these issues can save your business thousands in downtime, regulatory issues or damage to your brand.
Damages that Pests Bring
- Rodents can cause property damage by gnawing through walls or they can start an electrical fire by chewing through wires inside the facility
- Ants and termites can destroy wood by foraging inside walls, thus weakening the foundation
- Cockroaches are capable of transmitting disease that can cause food poisoning and create food contamination
- Pests leave their feces, saliva, outer cover, cuticles, eggs, urine, and dirt on places where they commonly hide, stay or just walked in.
- Pests are a health hazard and can result in health violations, illnesses and even lawsuit that comes with a business earning a bad reputation
- Pests can be a cause for a business to close down
Implementing an IPM Program
While regular inspections can help in identifying and treating existing pest problems, it is necessary that you and your staff serve as the main defense to controlling pests. Discuss with your pest management provider about creating an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program for your business. With the use of IPM, you and your staff will rely on proactive measures and will just use chemical treatments as a last resort.
After establishing an IPM program, make sure that you and your staff will have proper training and continuous education on how to eradicate pests in your facility. A reputable pest control provider can give onsite IPM to you and your staff so that you are all equipped in getting rid of pests. Your pest management professional will also be able to tell you where pests are common and can give the right tips on making those areas less attractive to pests. You should also ask them about additional resources on pest prevention that includes information on seasonal pests.
Start a Cleaning Routine
Your cleaning routine should start as the time you set your feet in your business establishment. You and your staff should clean their work areas throughout the day to reduce the amount of food and water sources that can attract pests.
- Wipe down tables and chairs after each guest
- Clean up spills immediately, even if it is just water
- Wash dishes daily, or at least submerge them in soapy water until you can clean them
- Keep bathroom areas as dry as possible
- All food and beverages that are outside the fridge or freezer should be tightly sealed
- Do not allow for standing water to accumulate inside the kitchen area
Getting Rid of Trash
Pests love garbage since they see it as a gourmet meal. To avoid pests lurking, here are some tips:
- Empty trash receptacles with your establishment frequently
- Dumpsters should be covered at all times
- Place all trash cans as far away from the building as possible
- Create a waste-removal schedule for your staff
- Clean and rotate dumpsters regularly to eliminate pests or residue that might attract them
Be Alert
Since most pests are active at night train everyone in your business establishment to be alert and stay vigilant. Ask them to report to you right away if they see signs of infestation. Potential evidence include:
- Gnaw marks
- Droppings
- Exoskeletons
- Greasy run marks on floorboards
- Infested products
Make certain that everyone is involved in getting rid of unwanted pests. With the help of your commercial pest control provider and your staff, you can increase monitoring and decrease pest activity.