Commercial pest control might seem similar to domestic services, but there are several differences. After all, the stakes are significantly higher in commercial premises, and just one pest sighting could cause significant risks of property damage, public health issues and compliance problems.
As a leading provider of commercial pest control services across Bradford, Wakefield, Huddersfield, Leeds, Halifax, West Yorkshire and other regions of the UK, including Sheffield, Blackpool, Manchester, York and beyond, Copley Pest Solutions understands the unique needs of commercial clients, and has put together this guide to help you understand commercial pest control.
What Is Commercial Pest Control?
As the name suggests, commercial pest control is a service from professional pest control companies like Copley to remove and prevent pests.
Similar to the work carried out for domestic clients, commercial pest control often involves tailored solutions that can meet the needs of specific premises, such as hospitals, schools, offices, restaurants, hotels and factories.
Often, commercial pest control focuses on using preventative measures, such as rodent proofing and bird proofing to reduce the risk of infestations by sealing potential entry points.
Commercial pest control services cover all common pests, including rats, mice, squirrels, ants, moths, wasps, fleas, bed bugs, and cockroaches.
Additionally commercial pest control services can help manage the risk of other pests that are less common in domestic properties, but can cause significant issues for business premises, such as flies, wildlife and birds such as pigeons, crows, seagulls, magpies, sparrows and more.
When you work with a pest control provider like Copley, that offers a range of specialist services such as specialist services, including heat treatments, waste management, CCTV drain surveys, void property clearance, canine bed bug detection, bird netting and bird spike installation, bird dropping removal and more, you can get all the support your business needs from one provider.
Why Is Commercial Pest Control Important?
Using commercial pest control can save your business money, time and effort, while ensuring regulatory compliance.
Vermin can cause significant issues for businesses, including:
- Property And Stock Damage: Vermin, particularly rodents such as rats, mice and squirrels, can chew on wires, walls and stock, causing expensive damage and potential disruption to business operations.
- Health Risks: Many pests carry diseases and spread parasites, which can affect staff, visitors and customers.
- Legal Issues: Your business could face fines for non-compliance and even lawsuits from customers if it is found to have caused an outbreak of disease. If your business holds licenses, then these could be revoked if pest issues are found.
- Reputation Damage: Pest sightings on your premises could cause lasting harm to your reputation, especially if they are captured on video and shared to social media. For example, the recent Hantavirus outbreak linked to a cruise liner has caused intense negative media attention, which will be difficult for the company to overcome in the future.
As such, preventing pest infestations is crucial for businesses of all types and sizes. Commercial pest control contracts can help to reduce the chances of future pest problems.
Types Of Commercial Pest Control
There are several types of commercial pest control. Each option can be adjusted to suit your business’s unique needs.
Commercial Pest Control Contracts
Ongoing pest prevention is crucial for businesses, which is why regular commercial pest control contracts are one of the most common options chosen by many businesses. The contract involves quarterly or sometimes monthly inspections to check for potential contamination risks, entry points and risks at commercial sites. High risk areas, such as waste management and food preparation spaces will be checked to ensure that pest prevention methods are working and advice is being taken. This approach ensures effective pest management and reduces the chances of a pest problem. If pests are sighted, then these can be dealt with quickly and effectively.
Integrated Pest Management
Integrated pest management (IPM) is similar to pest control contracts, in that it also involves regular site inspections to check for pest risks. With IPM, the focus is on using chemical pesticides as a last resort, and instead using preventative measures and understanding the local eco-system to reduce the chances of a pest infestation. IPM is often used by farms and agricultural sites, where the local habitat can play a role in the growth crops and the safety of livestock.
Emergency Commercial Pest Control
If your business already has an established infestation or notices early signs of pest activity, then emergency commercial pest control can be used to get rid of the vermin and ensure a pest-free environment. This approach can eliminate pest infestations from commercial properties, but the pest risks will remain, which is why it is recommended that businesses consider ongoing commercial pest management contracts.
Is Commercial Pest Control A Legal Requirement?
While there is no specific law that states that you need to have commercial pest control in place, there are several regulations that require companies to protect public health and keep vermin at bay, including:
- The Food Safety Act 1990: Relevant to not just food businesses, but any company that stores, sells or produces food, The Food Safety Act 1990 makes it a criminal offence to sell food that is a risk to public health, meaning all potential contamination risks, including pests, need to be managed effectively.
- The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974: As part of The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, businesses have to do everything in their power to reduce potential health risks for employees, which includes limiting pest risks.
- The Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949: Focusing primarily on rats and mice, The Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949 empowers local authorities to penalise companies that allow pest infestations to occur on their premises, and to give them deadlines within which to remove the infestation, carry out waste management and implement property repairs, after which time your business could be fined and the work can be carried out by the council and then invoiced to your organisation.
Book A Site Survey Today With Copley Pest Solutions
Effective commercial pest control is essential for any business site of any type, size or in any sector. With pest populations rising throughout the UK as humans continue to encroach on habitats and cut off food supplies for many species, companies need to be proactive to ensure a pest-free premises.
Thankfully, Copley Pest Solutions is experienced working in a range of commercial environments throughout the UK. Whether you need commercial pest control in Leeds, Bradford, West Yorkshire or throughout the country, we have local pest controllers in most major cities who can quickly attend your commercial building.
With our ongoing commercial pest control contracts, you can reduce potential pest threats and pest proof your space. Our services are tailored to your business’s unique requirements, and offer a cost-effective alternative to fighting pest infestations as they happen.
For business leaders and facilities managers throughout the UK, Copley Pest Solutions is your ideal partner for commercial pest control. To book a free site survey, contact us on 08003029447.
