Preventing a Pest Infestation in Workplaces

The workplace must be a professional area where employees and customers may do business comfortably. The health and safety of the people should be the top priority of businesses, especially during this time in the pandemic when workers are starting to leave their homes and back into their offices.

But pests like birds, rodents, cockroaches, mites, ants, and other insects can threaten and disturb this recovering economy and can even disrupt important business transactions. In this age of social media, news of your business having a pest infestation can travel fast and quickly bring down ratings and revenues. CDC stated that serious health hazards like the plague, typhus, and various other diseases can be transmitted by these pests, while allergies and asthma might be triggered.

Taking the following preventive measures against an infestation is crucial to keep your business safe for employees and customers alike.

Keep the area clean

Removing possible sources of food discourages pests from staying in the workspace. Secure areas in the building where food is being stored. Close off spaces where they might get into these rooms. Ants are a bit more difficult to deal with but keeping food in air-tight containers and always cleaning food bits should do the trick.

Along with this, all employees and personnel must be encouraged to clean up after themselves. Keeping the office space free from food droppings and food scraps will help keep pests away. Using plates while eating, washing dirty utensils, eating in designated areas, and throwing food packaging in proper trash cans should be mandated.

Vacuuming should also help in removing pests. Vacuum upholstery and carpeted floors to remove bed bugs and dust mites.

Check for cracks

Check the building for cracks and damages from wear and tear. Holes in walls and floors may become entryways and hiding places for all kinds of pests. One hole probably leads to another, so look out for multiple building damages. Before having these cracks sealed and repaired, check if pests are already present for extermination to prevent hidden infestations.

Also, have the air ducts cleaned. These air passages that lead to the outside collect all the dust and dirt passing through your ventilation systems, creating filthy homes for pests. Seal the gaps around these vents to prevent pests from living inside.

Reduce moisture

Moisture and stagnant water invite pests into an establishment. These puddles are drinking sources and breeding grounds for pests. OSHA also brings up the concern of moisture promoting the growth of molds. Molds can damage building structures and trigger allergies in some people.

To manage moisture and dampness in your building, start by fixing broken and leaking water pipes. Then check under refrigerators and sinks where water might pool and stagnate. These dirty waters are attractive to rodents and other pests. Kitchens and steam rooms should also have proper ventilation.

Toilet rooms should be regularly cleaned as these wet environments are notorious spaces for cockroaches. Clogged drains must be cleared and covered. Rooms for toilet cleaning supplies should be inspected from time to time.

Remove scrap woodpiles

Insects like to feed and breed on dead wood. Remove wood scraps from the property to prevent pests from living in them. Consider having wooden structures treated against a termite infestation.

Trim plants and trees near the building

Pests can use trees and shrubs near windows and other openings to enter your establishment. They are homes to all kinds of animals that you definitely don’t want inside your workspace. Keeping stems and branches trimmed enough that they are not touching the walls and structures will help discourage pests from living anywhere near your building. Have trees and plants moved further away from the buildings if necessary. Grassy areas should also be trimmed regularly to avoid flea infestations.

Follow waste management protocols

Waste management helps to deter pests. Following proper waste segregation will ensure that biodegradable wastes are sorted away and are disposed of daily. Ensure that all trash cans and outside dumpsters are always covered to prevent flies and foraging animals from entering and scattering the trash. Waste bins should also be cleaned with detergent and hot water to remove any buildup of filth at least once a week.

If the building has a system of garbage chutes, have it cleaned regularly as well.

Work with pest control

Lastly, working with a pest control company for routine building checkups will minimize the risk of an infestation. These experts in pest extermination can pre-treat properties using different methods to repel pests from residing in your establishment. They will help you determine which areas of the building are susceptible to infestation and give you concrete solutions to prevent them.

With these ideas in mind, you can ensure that your workplace stays safe and pest-free. Don’t let the issue have a chance to start; prevent it right away.