As temperatures begin to think about dropping, businesses across the UK should be thinking about more than heating, winter maintenance and preparing for the festive period. It is an unfortunate reality that the arrival of colder weather can increase the risk of unwanted pests seeking shelter, warmth and reliable food sources inside commercial premises as well as domestic properties.
DALPEST Pest Solutions is taking the opportunity to encourage local businesses (both large and small) to take some simple proactive steps to protect their buildings, staff and operations as winter approaches.
It’s probably not a great surprise that rats and mice can gain access to premises through surprisingly small gaps (as small as 6mm for mice), making warehouses, offices, manufacturing facilities, retail units, food and hospitality venues potential targets. Once inside, rodents are experts at causing destruction fast! They can contaminate food storage areas, damage materials and equipment and gnaw through everything from packaging to electrical cables, creating potential safety concerns, costly disruption and a mess!
Prevention isn’t difficult, it starts with the basics.
It all begins with a few simple steps. The first thing to do is conduct a visual inspection of any buildings for gaps around external doors, windows, pipework and service entrances, ensuring that any potential access points are properly sealed. Damaged door seals, broken air bricks and gaps around loading bays should also be addressed before colder weather sets in.
If this is something that cannot be performed by the team, then a trustworthy pest controller will be able to recommend any appropriate areas for proofing, and they will use the correct materials to do so. Rats can chew through pretty much anything so using the right proofing materials is key to acting a proper deterrent.
Good housekeeping is equally important for businesses. This is also one of the areas that is easy to make changes to. Waste should be stored securely, external bins kept closed, and food preparation and storage areas maintained to a high standard. Stockrooms and warehouses should be kept tidy, with goods stored off the floor where practical to make inspections easier and reduce potential hiding places.
Businesses should also look out for common early warning signs of pest activity, including droppings, gnaw marks, unusual smells and scratching noises in wall cavities or ceiling spaces. Acting quickly can help prevent a minor issue from developing into a more significant infestation.
For commercial premises, a proactive approach to pest management can be particularly valuable to keep the pests away. Regular inspections and planned preventative measures can help identify vulnerabilities before they become costly problems, supporting business continuity and helping organisations maintain appropriate hygiene standards.
This is where a pest management contract can be particularly useful. Regular visits from professional pest controllers will help to get ahead of any of these issues as they understand what to look our for, and if there is suspected infestation monitoring can be used to determine whether this is the case.
Richard Day of DALPEST Pest Solutions said: “Winter can create additional challenges for businesses when it comes to pest activity. Taking a few preventative steps now can make a real difference, helping to protect premises and reduce the risk of unexpected disruption during the colder months. Rodents are just like us during winter and want to find somewhere warm and secure for the coldest months.”
DALPEST Pest Solutions work closely with our customers to identify pest risks and address pest problems, helping businesses take a more practical approach to protecting their premises. If you haven’t yet got any measures in place for your business then speak with one of our experts today.
For further information about pest control and prevention, contact DALPEST Pest Solutions 0333 2026 223.
