Many business owners have heard of commercial pest control, but they might not understand exactly what it is and why it is so important.
So, what is commercial pest control? As a leading provider of commercial pest control services throughout Maidstone and Kent, Pest-Tech is here to answer this and many other questions in our guide to commercial pest control.
What Types Of Commercial Pest Control Are Available?
Simply put, commercial pest control is the process of managing pest risks in commercial premises. It differs from domestic pest control because with commercial services, the focus is on prevention rather than treatment.
While commercial pest control providers do offer emergency pest control services for businesses, the most common type of commercial pest control is integrated pest management.
Integrated Pest Management
Also known as a commercial pest control contract, integrated pest management involves regular inspections from skilled pest controllers to reduce potential risks of infestations.
If vermin are noticed, or a high risk area is identified during the risk assessment, pest prevention can be put in place.
Proactive solutions reduce the risk of harm to business reputations, potential stock or property damage and ensure compliance with relevant regulations.
Emergency Commercial Pest Control
If a business does develop a pest problem, then emergency pest control services can treat the problem quickly and efficiently. Experienced commercial pest control companies like Pest-Tech can eliminate pest infestations quickly and provide expert advice on how to reduce future risks.
Emergency commercial pest control is similar to the services we provide to domestic clients, but on a larger scale. Additionally, our team will advise your business to start using a commercial pest control contract to manage pests before they become an issue.
Is Pest Control A Legal Requirement?
While there is no specific law requiring that a company has a commercial pest control contract in place, a pest infestation could breach several laws, including the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Food Safety Act 1990.
These laws protect staff and ensure that any food products on site are kept clean and free from contaminates, such as bacteria from vermin or droppings.
If a pest infestation is found on your commercial premises, then under the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949, local authorities have the right to shut it down until effective pest management solutions are put in place and your business is in full compliance with all relevant regulations.
As such, while you don’t legally have to use integrated pest management, it can be a cheaper and more effective solution that waiting until you face a pest problem at your business site.
What Businesses Need Commercial Pest Control Services?
Most companies of all types and sizes need effective pest control solutions to ensure a pest-free environment. Some sectors that are particularly high-risk include:
- Healthcare: Pest issues in a hospital or healthcare facility can cause significant risks for vulnerable patients and might result in the commercial property’s closure until the infestation is eradicated.
- Food Service: From restaurants and cafes to food processing factories, anywhere that stores, prepares or serves food is vulnerable to a pest problem, as vermin are always seeking out a reliable food source. Many pests can contaminate surfaces and spread bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli, which can cause food poisoning.
- Education: Schools, nurseries and universities are vulnerable to pests, especially in food preparation and storage areas. The bacteria spread by vermin can cause health risks for young children.
- Warehousing And Factories: Large industrial units filled with boxes and machinery make the ideal hiding places for pests seeking shelter. This can result in expensive stock loss, damage to equipment and interruptions to business operations while repairs are made and the pests are removed.
- Retail Outlets And Shops: Shops and stores, whether they sell food or other products, need to protect buildings and also reputations by implementing regular inspections to avoid pest issues. Retail outlets welcome members of the public, and in the age of the internet where everyone has a camera in their pockets, just one photo of vermin in your store put on social media could have lasting implications for your organisation.
What Are Common Pests Found On Commercial Premises?
Any pest species can enter a commercial property, but some of the most common species found in workplaces include:
- Rats: Rats are often found seeking shelter in warehouses or anywhere that prepares food. While rats are incredibly nervous and usually avoid people, they can slip through even tiny entry points, meaning they often make their way into food storage areas or warehouses.
- Mice: Similar to rats, mice are slightly smaller and braver, meaning they are more likely to be noticed by customers or staff. Like all rodents, mice have front teeth that never stop growing, so they chew almost constantly and can damage property and cause a fire risk if they bite through live wires.
- Cockroaches: In food storage areas or damp, humid environments such as bathrooms, commercial kitchens and farming outbuildings, cockroaches are a risk. These irritating insects carry bacteria and can be distressing for customers, employees and livestock.
- Bed Bugs: In hotels and hospitals, as well as on public transport, bed bugs can be a significant risk, as they often transfer from infested clothing or luggage. Once they’re on furniture, they can hide in hard to reach areas, such as deep inside sofas or mattress seams. Professional bed bug treatment can be the fastest and safest way to remove bed bugs from your business premises.
- Fleas: Businesses that welcome or care for pets, such as vets, dog groomers, pet shops and even hotels or accommodation providers that allow animals, can be at risk of fleas. These tiny insects can be hard to get rid of and require specialist treatment.
- Flies: For restaurants, venues, commercial kitchens and pubs, flies can be a risk to health and your reputation if not dealt with proactively. Solutions such as fly screen windows and doors can be a proactive solution that reduces the risk of fly issues.
- Foxes: Many businesses with large refuse areas often find that foxes rip into bins in search of food. This can cause damage to property and leave rubbish lying around, which can attract other pests. Fox prevention can be a simple way to keep them away and reduce damage caused by nuisance foxes.
- Stored Product Insects: Stored product insects are minute pests that can be found inside food storage containers. Some species include Indian meal moths (pantry moths), confused flour beetles, biscuit beetles, larder beetles and grain weevils. They can contaminate food and cause expensive stock loss, as well as damage to your food business’s reputation.
- Birds: While birds rarely cause issues for homes, unless they have a solar panel installation, they can be a significant issue for businesses. Birds, including pigeons, gulls and crows like to build nests on commercial buildings, and can be difficult to remove. Bird droppings, or guano, can be highly toxic and cause a slip hazard, which is why proactive bird proofing and bird dropping removal are essential.
Book Commercial Pest Control Across Maidstone And Kent
As this guide shows, commercial pest control is an integral part of running any business. Even a minor pest infestation could disrupt your business operations, cause significant property damage and even get your business shut down.
That’s why businesses across Maidstone and Kent trust Pest-Tech for all their commercial pest control solutions. Our team have extensive experience and are RSPH level 2 certified, meaning they have access to pest control products that aren’t available to the general public.
For peace of mind, we have full insurance and regular training to ensure our team understand the best control methods for every pest on every type of site. From schools, hospitals, churches and retail outlets to warehouses, factories, farms and food processing plants, we can work with any business of any type or size.
If you’re interested in a commercial pest control contract or emergency pest control for your Maidstone or Kent-based business, contact us on 01622 296055 or by emailing admin@pest-tech.org to organise a site survey.