When people think of pest control, they normally think of pest control for residential properties. The truth of the matter is that pests inhabit any structure that provides them with food and water. This means that they are just as prone to be attracted to commercial properties as residential ones. Pest infestations in commercial properties pose health risks and can cause a business to suffer in multiple ways. Read on to learn why regular commercial pest control must not be overlooked.
Pests Don’t Define Food the Same Way Humans Do
The reasons why commercial establishments like restaurants or hotels need pest control are intuitive. However, even office buildings and workshops are prone to pests. Things like moisture leakage, drainage issues, poor dumpster areas, cluttered storerooms (stationary, yum!), and easy access and entry points or even the crumbs dropped by an unassuming lunchtime sandwich can all attract pests. Rodents may also treat your premises like their dentist’s office as they like to chew on things like wires to keep their teeth nice and sharp. Great for them – not so good for health and safety at work.
Common Pest Infestations in Commercial Buildings
Bedbug infestations during Paris Fashion Week recently made headlines. While bedbugs are a major concern, other common pests in commercial properties include ants, termites, cockroaches, and rodents reports a study by Vantage Market Research.
Pests can also piggyback into the office on people who come from infested areas or neighbouring buildings which makes regular inspections a necessity to keep your property pest-free.
Importance of Regular Pest Control
The potential for pests to inhabit a commercial property is high. Infestation can have a severe impact on your business’s bottom line. Some threats to be aware of include:
- Human Health
Many pests are bearers of disease. Mice, roaches, and rats all carry various disease-carrying bacteria with them. Cockroaches and rodent droppings can cause food poisoning while certain mites on mice can cause dermatitis giving people symptoms like itchy skin, blisters, and inflammation. Additionally, they can also trigger certain conditions. For example, although cockroaches do not cause asthma, they trigger it in individuals who suffer from it. Gopher and other rodent holes can make grounds unsafe for human use.
As the owner/manager of a commercial property, it is an important duty to protect the health of people visiting or working in your building.
- Building Safety
Pests can cause structural damage to a property too. Mice and rats can chew through wiring causing your electrical infrastructure to malfunction and pose a serious fire hazard too. Even protected species like woodpeckers can cause damage to a property as they bore into wood siding. In such cases, pest control is best handled by professionals who know what they are doing to make sure that pests are taken care of with all necessary safety precautions and that the law is adhered to.
- Government Fines
Depending on your line of business and local legislation, your business can be threatened with legal action if your property has been infested by pests. You may also incur fines or penalties that can be costly to deal with.
- Diminish Property Value
Damage caused by pests can diminish your property values. No one wants to rent or purchase a property with evident signs of an infestation.
- Business Suffers
The reputation of a business is everything. It is what keeps people coming back and attracts new clientele. An untreated pest infestation can irrevocably damage a business’s reputation. A drop in customer confidence can have serious repercussions on profits.
Even if your property isn’t a client-facing one, an infestation can seriously impact your business. Employees who are distracted and distressed by the appearance of pests are not going to be as productive as those working in a clean environment. You may also find an increase in sick leave due to illnesses caused by pests.
Regular Pest Control Inspections Can Help Prevent Problems
While certain actions on your part, like making sure a property is clean and food is stored in sealed containers, can help in keeping a property free from pests, regular pest control inspections can help you deal with existing infestations and prevent new ones from becoming a serious problem. Having a reliable pest control company at hand means you can contact them any time you notice an issue.
Absolute Pest Control Services provides commercial pest control management services on a monthly, bi-monthly, and quarterly basis along with customized frequencies as necessary. Get in touch for a free, no-obligation quote today!
