PEST CONT ROL
PREVENTION IS BETTER
THAN CURE
When it comes to Pest Control, it is essential to make sure that the job is
done properly, which is why Cleankill Environmental Services advise against
‘bundling’ of services in order to save time and money. Here, they tell us what FMs can do to limit the risk of pest infestations.
Sponsored by Cleankill Environmental Services
So what should the FMs be doing to limit the risk of pest infestations?
1. Check The Contract Normal contracts for standard premises will include a minimum of eight inspections a year. Factories producing high- risk food or manufacturing pharmaceuticals will require more frequent visits. The inspections should include all common areas such as: plant rooms; basements; riser cupboards; car parks and landscaped areas – all of the areas where pests could harbour and reproduce undisturbed.
2. Proof Your Premises Proofing against mice should be looked at as part of the overall integrated pest control system. Effective proofing will restrict rather than be a complete barrier to mice. Rat valves fitted into drains are very effective at stopping rodents entering premises through the drains.
Bird spikes on ledges, as well as the girders beneath fire escapes and parapets, will stop pigeons messing on steps and walkways. Netting on lightwells prevents birds gaining access into sheltered areas at the back of buildings. Bird-free gel, which appears as flames to birds, complements other bird control methods well.
3. Fly Control Install fly-control units in kitchenettes, catering areas, bin rooms and delivery bays to catch the flies before they enter the building. Glue board units are generally preferred to ‘sparking’ units, as the glue ensures that bacteria do not get inadvertently dispersed out of the unit while a flying insect is electrocuted. The glue-board units that can be moved around affected offices, particularly in those offices that suffer from the autumn cluster flies.
4. Cleanliness Check when the bins are emptied. Leaving cleaning up of food debris until the following morning provides a perfect night time feast for pests, at a time when they are most active. Remains in a crisp packet are a tasty meal for mice and apple cores in a bin provide a nice breeding ground for fruit flies.
Pest prevention contracts can give you peace of mind and allow you to focus on all the other complexities the role of the FM involves.
With pressures to make savings, however, some facilities managers fall foul of what looks like a cheap quote only to find they are constantly being ‘upsold’ additional services at the slightest sign of a problem and spend on pest control begins to spiral.
Other issues arise when facilities managers allow procurement staff to ‘bundle services’ in order to save time and money.
Paul Bates, Managing Director of Cleankill Environmental Services, said: “Services that are often bundled with pest control include cleaning and landscaping. The difficulties arise when the teams involved in these aspects of facilities actually cause the pest infestations through poor cleaning or leaving vegetation unmanaged. I strongly advise against ‘bundling’. Initially it may seem easier to have one contract for all the services, but it rarely works well.”
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5. Work With The Contractor Communication is key, especially if you look after several different sites. Contractors should complete a detailed report at the end of each inspection. Cleankill uses digital reporting so the report is available within minutes of the service being carried out. The reports should be read and acknowledged, not just filed away.
For more information visit our website or call 0800 056 5477.
www.cleankill.co.uk
Cleankill Environmental Services is the only pest control provider in the UK to achieve a Silver Investor in People accreditation. Cleankill is a proud member of the British Pest Control Association, as well as being approved to ISO9001 and ISO14001. Cleankill is also fully accredited to the Altius Vendor Assessment, PICS, Safecontractor, Exor, Constructionline and Achilles Health and Safety. Cleankill was a runner up in the BIFM Awards 2014.
Tomorrow’s FM Yearbook 2017/18
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