Sanitation is the Key to Dodging Pests

Consider implementing regular cleaning sessions on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. A deep, leave-no-stone-unturned type of cleaning should be done at least a few times a year. Many people do not consider the grime and food particles building up behind and beneath heavy equipment, but pests absolutely adore these areas and will make them their home in no time if left alone. And don’t forget to clean the breakroom.

If you’re having a tough time getting employees to buy into your program, consider asking the pest management professional to stop by. Most will offer free training sessions, which will allow employees the chance to ask any questions they may have and further engage with the IPM program.

Preventing Pests Indoors

Although pests can be a potential health threat, they’re also a nuisance to guests and can give visitors a bad impression about the facility’s cleanliness. Removing attractants is a start, but keeping pests from coming inside can also make a big difference. Exclusion is another large part of a strong IPM program, and it simply means turning a business into a fortress by eliminating potential entry points.

It doesn’t take a lot of food particles or moisture to draw pests inside. Therefore, it takes diligence and constant improvement to minimize attractants and block pests from getting inside.

Here are some proactive tips.

• Take out the trash. Many pests will feed off garbage and organic waste, so removing trash at least daily is a must. Do not leave waste in bins overnight. Also, be sure all garbage bins have a lid of some type to cut off pests and reduce the odors that draw them in. If possible, keep dumpsters and recycling collections at least 40 feet away from the exterior of the building.
• Seal pests out. Walk around the exterior of the building and use caulk or another waterproof sealant to seal up any cracks and crevices. Pests can fit through remarkably small gaps, so the more openings that are sealed up the better. Rats fit through a hole the size of a quarter, mice through a hole the size of a dime, while ants and roaches can fit through just about any sized gap.
• Keep storage areas neat and tidy. Often overlooked, storage areas are prone to pest problems. Extra boxes and debris from packaging make for great hiding spots, while the abundance of food is extremely attractive to pests. A small problem can get out of hand quickly in a storage area because in the right conditions pests can reproduce remarkably quickly and begin spreading to other areas in the building. Remove clutter, clean containers before putting new product inside, keep containers off the floor, and use tightly-sealed packages to reduce the risk of pests.
• Use screens on windows and keep doors closed. Often pests will come in right through the front door. Keep doors and windows closed as much as possible and inspect screens covering windows for holes regularly if they’re going to be left open. If you do want to leave a door or window open regularly, put a greater emphasis on keeping the inside of your facility clean.
• Clean up spills immediately. Food particles and sugary drink spills will attract pests in no time, so they need to be wiped up as soon as they occur. Waiting will only make things worse.

Pay Attention to the Great Outdoors

Stringent sanitization practices shouldn’t be limited to indoor areas. In fact, keeping the property surrounding the business neat and tidy can drastically decrease the pest pressure faced indoors.

Pests love clutter, especially in the form of vegetation, tree branches, or trash. Wood piles can be an attractant for termites, roaches, and spiders, and should be kept far away from the building to avoid serving as a “jumping off point” or easy access avenue inside. Don’t forget to clean out gutters and rooftop ledges either as clogging can lead to a buildup of soil and moisture perfect for hosting pests.