When people own a business they often encounter a wide range of different challenges. They may need a side hustle to generate extra income or an online course to understand PPC marketing.
Some companies experience issues with pests, which can be unpleasant for both staff and customers, as well as a threat to the premises. If this is a problem for your business right now, there are fortunately several steps you can take, and that’s what this article is all about.
Understand The Issue
Pests can be a serious problem in the workplace so it’s important to understand what they look like and how to eliminate them. If you ignore the situation you could end up with property damage, health issues (skin irritation, breathing difficulties, bites) and poor staff/customer morale. The last thing you’ll want is stains and marks on the walls or ceilings, structural damage or contamination of your food and water.
Some of the most common examples of pests include ants, fleas, cockroaches, rodents, bees or wasps, flies, termites, squirrels and bed bugs. The first step in this process should be identifying what type of pests have infested your office space and discovering how it may have happened. You need to remove what they’re feeding or drinking from and deal with their access points before you can apply treatments and make a lasting change.
Seek Professional Help
If pests are becoming a problem in your business, you could attempt your own pest inspection and try and stop them yourself. If the infestation continues over time or keeps reoccurring, there’s no other option than to seek professional help from an exterminator. They can review your premises and make their own recommendations as regards treatment.
Their inspection may reveal that your problem is being caused by a larger issue, such as water damage or the age of your building. They could also recommend certain treatments if infestation continues after you’ve taken care of any underlying problems.
The internet is a good place to start for Pest Solutions because you can access rapid response services, book free surveys and discover accredited contractors. Always check the website for customer reviews and the names of existing clients before you choose companies.
Know What To Look For
The following are telltale signs of pest infestation:
- Food containers with visible signs of bugs on them.
- Evidence that there is a nest in the building.
- Worker’s clothing covered in bug parts or feces.
- You notice droppings on the floor or in food.
- You hear chirping, chewing or scratching sounds.
- You hear something running around under the floorboards etc.
- There’s a strong smell of decomposing matter such as fruit and vegetables.
Keep The Workplace Clean
Rodents tend to gravitate towards spaces where food is being prepared and eaten because there’s more chance that scraps of leftover food will be lying around. Clean up any food spills or crumbs on the floors, counters, etc. that might attract bugs such as ants.
Make sure that all food is stored correctly and securely so rodents don’t have access to it. Clutter can be a temptation for pests to take up residency so make sure that everything is put away after use and kept in cupboards or drawers. Be sure to sweep and mop regularly so that there is no standing water because this can be a breeding ground for insects (e.g. mosquitoes) both indoors and outdoors.
Fix The Weakspots
Check for cracks and crevices in windows, doors, or any other spaces where pests may be entering. Seal them off with caulk steel wool or a thick layer of concrete sealant. Check for leaks and make sure all your pipes are properly sealed. Install a high-quality commercial-grade door sweep on all exterior doors.
Remove any rotting vegetables from the ground near your business because this will attract bugs like flies and ants. Keep your garbage cans away from the building to prevent pests from getting in, and always keep the lids closed. Consider having plants that are not attractive to pests, such as trees with thorns or plants that have strong smells when touched (e.g. eucalyptus).
Take Remedial Action
Use natural pest control methods, such as peppermint oil or cedar wood chips to repel mice, rats or other rodents. They can provide an effective solution that is more environmentally friendly and cheaper over the long term. This is better than resorting to potentially dangerous chemicals (especially in relation to children and pets).
If you do use commercial insecticides, always follow the instructions carefully (you can find this detailed on the packaging). Don’t forget to close the doors and windows when spraying indoors. This will help with ventilation and protect others from coming in contact with it.
If pests such as rats have been detected around outside machinery or cables, consider installing rodent fencing around the area. This will stop them from being able to access the equipment and cause damage.
Some people use soap or sugar water to bait rodents to come into traps, but they are skilled at avoiding most types of bait. Use a multi-pronged approach when it comes to getting rid of your workplace pests: This way if one method doesn’t work there will be something else waiting behind it that might be more successful.
Don’t Let Them Return
This can only be achieved if you put a policy in place to keep the premises clean and tidy. Schedule regular checks and if necessary pay a professional to perform further inspections. Make sure that everyone knows what to look for and how to report any issues that may appear.
You should now feel empowered to do something about your workplace pest issue. It may be that you can do some research and resolve things yourself. For your peace of mind, why not involve a professional who can check your buildings and yards, and then apply the most suitable treatment? In return for some time, money and effort you can be rid of these unwelcome guests and be able to focus on your business once more.