Pets can be a huge problem for businesses. Not only do they look unsanitary, but they can result in a lot of expenses. The damages caused by pests can be so serious that they can put you out of business. A severe infestation can completely ruin your property in a few years. It is estimated that they cause around $70 billion worth of damages every year worldwide.
Prevention is way better than treatment, so you have to take active steps to keep pests away. To keep your business safe and save money, these are what you need to do.
Cleaning
The top reason why properties get pests is poor cleaning habits. Pests are attracted to areas that have available food and water sources. When you don’t clean well enough, you invite these pests and their nests into your property. This is why now and again, you need to do some deep cleaning.
Follow your general cleaning procedure, such as vacuuming and wiping counters. Make sure that corners and the spaces between furniture are covered as well. Fabrics such as pillows, seats, curtains, and uniforms need to be regularly washed. If you often have tourists, then regularly washing these items can prevent bed bugs. For floors that are carpeted, commercial cleaning services are great to have.
If your property is in an area with a lot of snow or rain, make sure that stagnant water does not accumulate anywhere. Mosquitoes use these waters as homes for their eggs. It’s important to tip over dirty water to get rid of them. This is especially true for bathrooms.
It is also important that you regularly get rid of garbage on your property. Do not let it accumulate to the point that they will overflow because this can bring pests with them. In most cases, pests use these as homes and sources of food.
Decluttering
For rodents, clutter is a great place to hide and make their homes. If you have a storage area that you rarely clean, then there is a possibility that rats can make their home there. To them, this is protection from predators. This will be a serious problem if you are a food business because rats can get your supplies. Some are more attracted to stacks of items such as roaches.
When you have many items, it is important to have an employee who organizes and sorts out the supplies. Boxes that are used to carry bulk items should be folded neatly and put in a separate area. Identify if there are items that are no longer needed. If so, get rid of them or recycle them.
You also need to separate items that can rot from those that do not. Boxes and wood are examples of this. Over time, they can become moist, and this attracts pests as well. It can contaminate the other items and can cause further damage. Proper storage also goes hand-in-hand with decluttering. For perishable items, ensure that they are sealed properly in airtight containers to prevent pests from getting in.
Inspections
One of the most important things you should do as a business is to get inspections regularly. Even if your commercial property is clean, it can still get seasonal pests. Termites, for instance, can get to your property simply because it is near their nest.
In some cases, you may already have pests without you realizing it. They are not always easy to spot, and sometimes it can be too late before you can discover them. A professional exterminator can identify subtle signs and compromised locations in your property. These exterminators know about building structures, so they can identify whether you have holes in your property where pests can get in.
Dangers of Pests
Pests carry a lot of health risks. Most of them bring bacteria and viruses that will be a health risk to your customers and employees. Their waste will make people sick, and it causes a foul and unpleasant atmosphere. When a customer or client sees them, you will most definitely be reported and lose your business license. They will also further spread their bacteria to the products that you sell.
They also cause structural damages to properties as well. For one, waste from pests can damage wood and other materials on your property. It can cause them to rot faster, which then leads to a weaker structure and foundation. Aside from that, waste and stool from pests can stain furniture and windows.
