What pests are you likely to have to defend your business from?
It is useful to know what you need to defend your business from and how to do so. Without proper pest control in commercial businesses and premises, pests can cause lots of costly damage.
Keep reading to get a definitive list of the top pests that cause damage to commercial businesses, especially in the North East of England, alongside some other guidance.
What are the most common pests in commercial premises?
Birds
Birds are a major pest to commercial businesses in the North East. If they are able to perch around your business, then it comes with some unwanted effects.
Their excrement (guano) is unsightly and can carry disease. It is also a fall hazard if guano is allowed to accumulate. Once birds find a nesting location on your site, the flock size will grow and exacerbate any pre-existing issues.
Birds can be hard to get rid of yourself. Other than precautions such as making sure you do not leave food out and keeping bin lids closed, there is not much you can do without professional help.
Some birds also have legal protection, so it is best to call in an expert. Greenway can assist your business with commercial bird control; we specialise in seagulls, pigeons, house sparrows, and bird nests.
Rodents
Rodents are a pest all over the world. The term ‘rodents’ includes all species of rats and mice. They often signal to the outside world that a business is kept in a poor state. Rodents symbolise filth and disease. You do not want your business to be viewed that way.
Some businesses never recover from a tarred reputation. The knowledge that your business has a rodent infestation can drive away staff and customers alike and this can all have a negative impact on your business’s finances.
Commercial businesses and premises are the perfect environment for rodents because they are warm, have a good stock of food and water, food debris, and plenty of places to nest.
Large and Small Flies
Flies are a pest because they are both a nuisance and dangerous. Flies easily multiply and can overwhelm a business. They leave a lasting impact on customers if they’re less focused on the product and more on swatting flies away. Flies are also not confined to the outside spaces and can easily make their way inside a premise.
Flies are not harmless; they are known carriers of disease. They are hazardous to food preparation areas and even your employees eating lunch. This affects people’s health and could escalate as much as to affect your business’s image and finances. This risk makes it critical for a commercial business to invest in pest control.
Small habits that should be written up as formal procedures for the staff can help minimise flies being attracted to your premises.
Insects
Insects can reproduce quickly, and before long, you can find them in every crevice. For example, ants can notoriously overrun an area once a food supply is secured. This is because they can chemically signal to the rest of their nest where food can be found. You do not want this place to be inside your business.
Again, easy preventative action can be taken to curtail insects at your business. These are actions such as cleaning the surfaces after every use to make sure no sweet or sticky substance is left behind or wrapping up and putting away any leftover food so there is nothing for insects to feed on.
If nothing is done, then professional pest control will need to come in and deal with the problem. This can mean your business has to be shut down for a period of time, resulting in a potential loss of revenue.
Why do businesses have to be wary of pests?
Businesses must be wary because the consequences of pests on commercial properties include:
- Poor image to potential customers, driving them away
- Health hazards for both staff and customers
- Contamination of products and equipment
- Business closure for long periods of time
- Significant negative financial impact
What are the signs of pests in commercial premises?
There are lots of signs to look out for if you think your commercial business has a pest problem:
- Sightings: The most straightforward clue is spotting the pests themselves, or noticing evidence such as droppings, which appear on floors, roofs, shelving, or virtually any other surface
- Physical damage: All pests are capable of causing harm to your property and assets – gnawed wiring, chewed packaging, damaged stock, or holes in walls and flooring all point towards an infestation
- Unpleasant odours: Strong, unusual, or musky smells are signs of pests nesting or moving through the premises
- Unusual noises: Scratching, scuttling, rustling, chirping, or even faint squeaks behind walls, in ceilings, or under flooring indicate that pests are active on your site
Is pest control a legal requirement for businesses?
Multiple regulations require UK businesses to keep their premises free from pests, like the Health and Safety at Work Act, and ignoring these will result in penalties and legal proceedings. Importantly, environmental health officers also have the authority to shut down your site if they think public safety is at risk.
If your business produces food and drink, then the expectations are even tighter in that compliance with the Food Safety Act is compulsory, and you also need to meet rigorous industry standards such as SALSA (Safe and Local Supplier Approval) and BRC (British Retail Consortium) certifications.
How we can help with pest challenges in commercial properties
Greenway can help you with any preventative action or with any issue your business is currently facing. Not only are we an award-winning business, but we carry out our jobs with a low impact on the environment.
Most pest control involves many harsh chemicals being used. However, Greenway has won an award for Low Environmental Impact. So, your business can be assured that any pest control you need can be completed in a way that is better for the planet.
Get in touch with us today to start taking action through our routine commercial pest inspection services. For more information on pest control and prevention, be sure to check out our FAQs and blog.
