DAMAGE MANAGEMENT
PEST PREVENTION 1
Pest infestations will not be on the wishlist of facilities managers. As well as the reputational damage these unwelcome visitors can cause, many pests pose a health risk to humans if they are allowed to breed and thrive in a warm, harboured environment. Consequently there are many acts in place, such as the Food Safety Act of 1990, to ensure businesses take due diligence when it comes to pest control.
But what about the damage pests can cause? Physical damage is frequently overlooked as a reason for implementing a robust pest control strategy; in a report commissioned by Rentokil in partnership with the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR), it was found that pest infestations cost UK businesses £1.2billion in revenue in 2014 alone. Globally, the impact of pest damage totalled £5.8billion in operating costs. This research also found that 92% of British companies had suffered pest problems over the past five years, so it’s critical that organisations put in place an effective pest control strategy.
EDUCATING EMPLOYEES Employees play an important part in the pest control strategy of any business, as they provide an army of eyes and ears to spot any signs of unwanted pests. Previously, employees may have been sent on a pest awareness training course, however, online learning platforms such as Rentokil’s myLearning site are becoming an increasingly popular method of educating employees. This online training can be accessed on demand and remotely, helping to make additional studying more convenient and effective.
WHAT CAN EMPLOYEES DO? Pests leave their mark on a business in numerous ways. In order to correctly identify their presence, employees need to be able to:
46 | Tomorrow’s Cleaning July 2016
Identify the characteristics of common pests:
An adult brown rat can produce up to 40 dark, pellet-shaped droppings in a day with each dropping measuring 10-14mm. A house mouse produces approximately 80 spindle shaped droppings measuring 3-7mm each.
2
Recognise the basic biology of the animal:
Rodents have continuously growing teeth and therefore have to gnaw on objects to keep them in shape. Gnaw marks can be a sign of rodent activity and it is worth remembering this gnawing habit can cause a fire hazard if they happen to chew on electrical cables. Rats and mice also produce a strong ammonia smell and this is another sign of rodent activity to be aware of.
Bird pests, such as gulls and feral pigeons, can cause damage to cars and buildings as their faeces contain a chemical which can damage paintwork.
3
Understand the issues surrounding an infestation:
These include the spread of disease. For example, cockroaches can spread
e.coli and salmonella, contaminating the food sources they come into contact with. Furthermore, if an employee sees a cockroach during the day then it’s an indication of a heavier infestation, as they are normally nocturnal creatures.
4
Identify good housekeeping techniques:
Simple things like ensuring food waste is properly sealed and stored, and keeping any refuse on site in closed bins, can make a big difference. Storage should be kept away from walls where possible and clutter kept to a minimum, as this provides places for pests to hide. Seal holes in the exterior of the property with wire wool, caulk, metal kick plates or cement.
Pests can be a massive problem for facilities managers, particularly because of the extensive damage that they can cause. Here, Berwyn Evans, UK Product Manager, Rentokil Pest Control, offers some advice on how to not only spot, but eliminate infestations.
Rodents can also enter buildings through damaged drains, so make sure that these are well maintained and are checked regularly.
5
Recognise the different types of pest control available for
different species: For example, solutions such as Luminos fly units are more effective than traditional electric grid fly killer units. This is particularly true in food environments, since the glue inside a Luminos fly unit will stop flying insect fragments dispersing, a common issue with electric grid systems.
IF IN DOUBT, CALL IN THE
EXPERTS Better understanding and implementation of prevention methods will undoubtedly save businesses time and money when dealing with pest infestations. Ensuring you provide your employees with the ability to recognise and alert the management to the telltale signs of pest infestations, is the best way that you can make sure that any infestation is caught early. Of course, if you’re unsure about how to remedy an infestation, then get in touch with your local pest experts, who are fully up-to-date on best practice and the latest changes to pest control legislation.
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