As a business owner, you are responsible for a million and one different things, so it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by it all from time to time. For example, on top of all the other responsibilities, you’re also in charge of making sure that no creepy crawlies infest your premises as well.
In this article, we’re going to look at why commercial pest control is so important. Is it an actual legal requirement? And is it something that you can do yourself?
Read on and we’ll cover commercial pest control in greater depth.
Why is commercial pest control important?
So, what’s it all about? Why is commercial pest control so important?
Pests have the potential to contaminate a workplace, spread diseases, damage your products and foodstuff, and cause structural damage to your property.
Commercial pest control is so important because you have a duty of care both to your employees and your customers.
Whether your commercial premises are client-facing or not (e.g., an office Vs. a retail store), you are responsible for ensuring that everyone is kept safe.
Here are some examples of when you would be liable for damages due to poor pest prevention tactics:
- An office building collapsing due to extensive termite damage (e.g., if any of your employees are injured due to structural damage caused by termites, you will be liable for damages).
- An employee falling sick due to a rodent infestation contaminating a food source.
- A customer suffering from respiratory problems due to the presence of rodents in your retail store.
- A customer getting stung by a wasp due to a wasp nest in your premises.
The list goes on and there are many instances in which a pest problem could lead to serious legal and moral issues for your business.
Is there a legal requirement to do commercial pest control?
So, when it comes to commercial pest control, is there a legal requirement that states you are bound to keep your premises pest-free?
There is a legal requirement for commercial pest control. For more information, you can look up The Prevention of Damage by Pest Act 1949.
This act enables the local authorities to legally inspect any premises as they see fit and as a property/business owner, you are legally required to keep the space vermin and pest free; failure in doing so can result in legal action, fines, and forced business closure.
Of course, why wouldn’t you want to keep your premises pest-free? The fact is, whether you are a restaurant owner or a retailer, having a rodent or insect infestation is not good for business. Failing to keep your premises safe and sanitary will likely damage your reputation irreparably – whether you are forced to close or not.
Can I do commercial pest control myself?
If in the event that you have a pest infestation, it is highly recommended that you hire a professional commercial pest control expert to assist you.
The fact is, many of the “home remedies” you can try can be slow and ineffective. You would be more than welcome to attempt to rid your commercial premises of a pest infestation provided you close shop and prevent any employees or customers from setting foot in the building until the pest problem has been eradicated.
You must always be mindful of the pest control techniques that you are using. For example, if you use a chemical insecticide and one of your employees falls ill due to exposure or has an allergic reaction, you can get into a lot of trouble.
Ultimately, if you have a pest problem, you should send your employees home, close up shop, and hire a commercial pest control expert to rectify the situation immediately.
The good news is that commercial pest control experts are flexible and discreet. This means that they can work in the evenings to ensure that the infestation is taken care of, thus allowing you to open up once everything is safe and continue business as usual.
Again, attempting to carry out pest control in your own commercial building is not without risk. If you want as little downtime to your business as possible – and indeed to ensure that your reputation is protected – you are far better off calling for professional assistance.
Pest prevention tips you can try yourself
While pest control isn’t advised, pest prevention is something that you can definitely implement yourself. If you wish to avoid a pest infestation—or prevent it from happening again—here’s what you need to do:
- Clean all kitchen areas frequently, remove spillages and leftover crumbs, and ensure all food is stored correctly in sealed containers.
- Remove any food waste from the building daily (empty bins in the evenings).
- Train your cleaning and maintenance staff to recognise any potential signs of pest intrusion (and educate your employees similarly).
- Maintain your premises well, filling in any gaps and holes that could allow pest invasion (paying close attention to window frames, pipes, and air vents, etc.).
- Identify and fix any leaks in the kitchen and washrooms (pests love free water sources).
- Check office plants and keep them in good health to ensure pests aren’t attracted to them.
- Implement a clear desk policy and ensure that all workstations are kept immaculate.
- In a kitchen environment, your chefs must adhere to the highest possible health, safety, and hygiene standards.
Pest prevention is easy when you maintain the highest standards of cleanliness. This is a win-win, as it will keep your premises looking tidy and presentable, keep your employees happy and healthy, and make a great first impression when any customers or clients set foot on your property.
Conclusion
To sum up:
- Commercial pest control is important because it keeps your customers and employees safe and healthy. It also protects your reputation and ensures that you can keep your business up and running without any legal complications.
- Commercial pest control is a legal requirement in the UK under The Prevention of Damage by Pest Act 1949.
You should not attempt pest control yourself in a commercial business – hire a commercial pest control expert and then adopt good pest prevention tactics in the future.