Keeping your business pest free is a vital part of your facilities management and health and safety – that’s why so many restaurants, shops, offices, and industrial facilities have annual pest management contracts to deal with any infestations that might arise.
If you are dealing with a pest outbreak, give us a call and we can help.
But with pest control, prevention is often better than the cure – that’s why pest proofing is part of our annual management plans.
Why is prevention important?
It’s very easy for a pest infestation to become established quickly, making it harder to tackle when you do call us. If rodents or cockroaches have found their way into your business, you won’t always notice right away. It doesn’t take long for them to breed to uncontrollable levels, leaving you with a large problem before you even know about it.
Rats, for example, can have 4-6 litters per year, with 6-12 young in each litter. At the top end, that’s 72 new rats in a year, from only one female. And those babies she’s breeding are ready to start their own families at 3 months old.
Even a few weeks or months can result in a massive infestation, especially when you’re dealing with a nocturnal pest that shies away from human eyes. If they’ve got a quiet out of the way place to hide in, you might not know they’re there until they start spilling out through over population.
It’s a similar situation with cockroaches – females lay 40-50 eggs each time they breed, and those babies are ready to breed just a few weeks after hatching. Just like rats, it’s easy for them to get out of hand quickly.
Prevention is effective, cheaper than responding to infestations, and better for business. Especially when you consider the health risks of pests, and the additional costs of cleaning and sanitisation after an outbreak.
How to pest proof a business
The best way to pest proof your property will depend on your specific building, pressure points, access points, and many other factors. If you’d like a personalised pest proofing plan, give us a call and we can help.
The main aim is to prevent pests getting into your property – usually by blocking off their access. Sometimes it takes a professional eye to see all of those access points – you’d be amazed at how pests get in.
Did you know that mice can squeeze through a gap no larger than the end of a pencil? Imagine how many opportunities they might have to get in, without you knowing.
- Physically sealing off gaps and cracks is one of the most important methods of pest prevention. Around vents, around outdoor taps… Anywhere there is an opening between the fabric of the building and the outside is an opportunity for pests.
- Checking for (and sealing) any broken drain covers – or adding drain covers if you don’t have them – is also important. Rats are very happy getting access via the plumbing, and the last thing you want is for an employee or customer to encounter a wet rat in your bathrooms!
- If you have a problem with insects (many offices have issues with cluster flies in the spring and autumn), fitting window screens allows air flow without letting in the bugs.
- If you have burrowing or digging pests – foxes can be a problem for schools or businesses with large grounds, for example – appropriate fencing and perimeter security can deter the pests. Bin clamps or locks can also prevent scavenging, making the area less desirable to pests.
- Appropriate food storage and waste disposal is another important measure in protecting your business from pests. We can advise on things like bin clamps and location of waste, and help you identify areas that may be encouraging pest incursions.
- Annual contracts ensure that all of your pest prevention methods are not only implemented, but also checked and maintained – even the best pest proofing can deteriorate over time, so keeping on top of it is essential.
If you need any help, or would like to know more about annual contracts to manage your business’ pest control needs, get in touch and we’d be delighted to help.