5 Ways to Prepare for Pest Intruders This Fall and Winter

With the days getting shorter and temperatures dropping, you’ve probably noticed increased pest activity. That’s right, we aren’t the only ones looking for relief from the cold! Pests like rodents, cockroaches and spiders are looking for a warm place with a ready food source to spend the winter. Follow these top five ways to help keep pests from wintering at your business.

1. Identify Hot Spots: Your building has everything pests need for survival – food, water and places to hide. They’ll try anything to get inside and stay inside, so you should know which areas to monitor closely. The most common places – or “hot spots” – for pests include loading docks, utility rooms, employee break rooms, dumpsters and trash cans, storage rooms and behind large pieces of equipment.

2. Include Your Employees: Your employees are the first line of defense against pests, so encourage them to monitor for and report any signs of pest problems. Often at no extra cost, your pest management company can also provide your employees with training on which pests to look for and what conditions attract them. (No price tag can be placed on the value of vigilant, ongoing monitoring though.)

3. Reinforce the Perimeter: The biggest pest threats often start outside your building, as rodents and crawling pests like spiders and cockroaches can easily creep in through small openings. Regularly inspect your exterior walls for cracks and crevices, including areas around utility penetration points, and fill holes with water-resistant sealant. Pests will often use vegetation as staging and feeding sites, so maintain landscaping, especially around entrances. Keep trees trimmed and plants at least 12 inches from your building, and remove leaves quickly so pests cannot use them for cover. If necessary, work with your pest management provider to place rodent bait stations around your building’s exterior, keeping them a safe distance from doors or entryways.

4. Strengthen Indoor Sanitation and Cleaning Routines: The key to keeping pests from entering your building is removing incentives for them to come inside. Pests will feed on the residue in drains and on equipment, so stick to a stringent sanitation plan using organic cleaner to eliminate the build-up. Reduce additional food sources in your building like crumbs and spills left in employee break rooms. Seal garbage cans tightly, remove trash regularly and don’t forget to sanitize and de-clutter trash handling areas.

5. Partner with Your Pest Management Team: By following these steps, your business can enjoy the fall and winter seasons with a lower risk of unwanted visitors like rodents, cockroaches and spiders. Talk with your pest management professional about these and other steps you can take to protect your business from these and other seasonal pests specific to your region.