It’s a bug’s life
Berwyn Evans, Head of SME at Rentokil Pest Control, tells us how to identify and help prevent pest infestations.
As the Great British Summer appears to be providing us with an extended period of uncharacteristically warm weather, we’re likely to see a correlating increase in some pests such as flies, ants, and wasps.
The warm weather, alongside the start of the school summer holidays for many, combine this month and will likely lead to an increased footfall in venues throughout the country. In response, cleaning professionals would be wise to ramp up their knowledge of pests in order to help prevent infestations of unwanted guests from taking hold in business premises.
Any infestation involving pests such as ants, wasps, flies, or rodents can be distressing for visitors. A previous Rentokil Pest Control study of the business impact of pests across 1000 non-food businesses found that the negative effect on staff morale was the most cited impact of an infestation, with companies stating that they also typically suffered a drop in revenue alongside reputational damage.
Cleaning professionals – with a fine eye for detail and an intimate knowledge of the buildings they work in – are in the perfect position to potentially identify the warning signs of an infestation before it becomes a problem. It’s therefore vital that they understand the signs to look out for and the preventative steps they can take to help keep pests out.
Bins full of waste, combined with the scorching summer heat, provide the perfect habitat for many insects – a trend we’re seeing right across the UK as house flies become more active in laying their eggs in bins. While it’s difficult to spot the early signs of a ‘binfestation’, simple preventative measures that will work alongside normal cleaning procedures, such as keeping doors, windows, and bin lids closed where possible, cleaning up spills, keeping surfaces clear of food, and
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flagging any cracks in buildings to be sealed up or repaired, will help to reduce the risk of insect ingress.
Other common pests, including flies and cockroaches feed on organic matter, and typically thrive in dirty environments, where food and drink waste may be found. Ants and wasps are attracted to high sugar and carbohydrate sources, such as the sweet secretions from summer fruits or the last dregs of a sugary drink. It’s therefore important that cleaning professionals keep areas free of such waste to avoid unsightly infestations or even stings from wasps. In a commercial setting, if an infestation does occur then it's advisable to call in pest control professionals to deal with it.
Unfortunately, it’s not just insects to look out for. Whilst they’re not as common in the summer months, rodent infestations can occur throughout the year, meaning that cleaning professionals need to remain constantly vigilant. There are a few simple things that they can keep an eye out for to enable a swift response, such as droppings, nests, gnawing and rub marks. If any of these are spotted, then once again pest control experts should be called in to deal with the problem sustainably and efficiently.
Cleaning professionals and pest specialists can work together effectively using a range of tools and technology to monitor and safely control any pest activity, helping to ensure that any infestations are identified as quickly as possible and then resolved. Whether a cleaning professional has spotted an existing pest problem or is looking for ways to prevent one from ever developing – whether it be insects or rodents – it’s essential that they know how to access expert help. Any pest expert should be up to date on the latest techniques and legislation changes to help deliver the best results for the individual circumstances.
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