Pests cause problems. Whether it’s insects infesting food or critters damaging equipment, there’s no upside to an infestation.
You also have to take your company’s reputation and public health regulations into account. Poor customer experiences related to pests won’t do anything to help your business. And, depending on various regulations and the industry in which your company operates, fines and other penalties are a distinct possibility.
Every business needs a year round strategy for pest control. Without one, it’s all too easy for these very unwelcome guests to infiltrate, multiply, and spread. That quickly leads to all kinds of headaches.
Wondering how to protect your business from pests? Finding a high-quality pest control service will always be an important part of your plan. However, there are plenty of steps you and your staff can take to better protect your building. Not to mention your assets, inventory, customers, and yourselves.
Let’s review some DIY pest tips for your business to keep insects like wasps and wildlife at bay.
Stopping Pests: Expert Prevention Tips for Your Business
1. Make Cleanliness a Top Priority
A clean business won’t keep pests away entirely, but will make your facility much less attractive to them.
A consistent and thorough cleaning schedule will help just about every business with pest control. Cleaning is an opportunity to discover signs of potential infestation. That makes it easier to catch a pest problem before it gets too serious.
Good hygiene and sanitation practices are crucial for restaurants, as Webstaurant Store explains. They’re similarly important for supermarkets, convenience stores, and any other business involving food. There’s no way around it: food sources are incredibly attractive to pests, so maintaining good hygiene is vital.
However, all kinds of food waste can attract pests. Employee lunches, office birthday parties, and more can all leave behind the kind of garbage that pests love. Use lidded trash cans, make sure there’s a regular schedule for emptying garbage, and keep the receptacles themselves clean.
Additionally, standing water can serve as a breeding ground for various insects. If your facility has floor drains or similar systems, regular cleaning, along with ensuring water is draining properly, is crucial.
2. Make it as Difficult as Possible for Pests to Gain Entry
Some pests will enter through small cracks in your building. Others will opt for doors and windows when they’re open and available.
How can you stop pests from gaining entry and starting an infestation? In this context, some of the best pest control methods for your business include:
- Installing door sweeps, window screens, and other pest-proofing devices
- Using high-quality sealants around cracks, gaps, and other small openings
- Keep exterior areas clean to avoid attracting pests in the first place
3. Get Proactive: Conduct Regular Pest Inspections
No DIY pest prevention method is 100% effective against every kind of local insect and critter in Michigan. However, regular inspections and some basic training for staff can help to stop many infestations from growing.
Signs of infestation include:
- Gnaw marks
- Droppings
- Nests
- Signs of damage to inventory and equipment
- Dead critters and accumulations of dead insects
Remind employees with cleaning duties to be on the lookout for these warning signs. Additionally, your business can and should conduct regular pest inspections. Focus on potential entry points — doors, windows, gaps and cracks in the building, drains, and vents.
Making and following a schedule for inspections helps you avoid a growing infestation. Regularly search for signs of pest activity. That way, you can identify a potential problem before it becomes more costly and complex to solve.
4. Find a Pest Control Partner You Can Trust
Many businesses work with service providers because of the expertise and experience they can offer. From accountants to janitorial services, bringing in an outside expert often makes sense. Pest control is one more service to seriously consider.
Unless you have trained pest control professionals on staff, efforts to prevent infestations and remove them when they happen can only go so far. Occasionally, even the cleanest and best-maintained businesses will experience an infestation. In those cases, having professionals ready to handle the problem is incredibly valuable.
Wingman Pest Control is here to help! Our technicians have the tools, training, and on-the-job experience to handle just about any type of pest that may find its way into your business. We’re equally proficient in preventative measures, wildlife removal, and eliminating pest insects.
Keep the pests out — keep your business running smoothly with help from the Wingman. Contact us today!