With England back in lockdown until 2 December, businesses up and down the country have been forced to close down once again. This poses many issues – one being the consequences of a building sitting empty.
With no humans to get in their way, it means that pests are free to make themselves at home. This is something which is particularly problematic this time round because with the temperature dropping, this is the time of year that unwanted guests start to make their way inside.
If your business is currently closed, how can you keep your premises pest-free during lockdown?
Visit your premises
If you can, visit your premises to carry out regular inspections. Look out for the signs that animals may have made their way inside. This will vary depending on the type of pest but you can read about all the different signs in our blog ‘Autumn pests, what to look out for.’
Pest-proof your premises
The best line of defence against pests is to prevent them making their way inside in the first place. Again, if you can safely access your premises, carry out a thorough inspection to make sure your building is well protected.
• Clear away any debris outside. This includes branches, piles of leaves, food debris, bins and any unnecessary clutter. If you have tree branches hanging over the roof, it’s worth getting them trimmed because squirrels and even rats can jump down and make their way into your premises through the roof
• Food is one of the main reasons pests make their way inside, especially during the winter when supplies are becoming increasingly scarce outside. Make sure there isn’t any food left in the building, empty all bins, wipe down surfaces, hoover and mop the floors
• Rodents in particular can squeeze through very small gaps. Check walls and the areas around your windows and doors to make sure there aren’t any holes. If there are, you can easily fill them. This YouTube video explains the best ways to block mouse and rat holes to keep rodents out your premises.
Act fast
If you think you have a pest infestation, it’s important to act fast. Not only can they cause significant damage, the last thing you want is any delays to your business re-opening once lockdown has been lifted.
Please don’t underestimate how fast infestations can get out of hand. Rat populations can swell from just two to 1,250 in a year. Mice also breed all year round which means a family of six can multiply to 60 over the course of just three months.
Contact pest control
Working with a local pest controller is a good idea regardless of whether you’ve fallen victim to an infestation or not. This is especially the case if you work in the hospitality, manufacturing or food industries.
Together, you can install preventative measures which will stop outbreaks occurring in the first place. If it’s too late and you’ve already spotted the signs of pests, they know exactly what to do to contain the problem quickly and safely.
For further information about keeping your business premises pest-free during lockdown, please get in touch with Prokill today.
Leave a Reply