FOCUS PEST CONTROL
A range of pests can wage war on your premises, says Paul Bates, MD of Cleankill Pest Control, with advice on how
to win the battle against pests by taking a strategic approach in deterring, detecting and eradicating the problem BATTLE READY
Pest control can be compared with going
into battle – technicians have to work
strategically to predict the worse-case
scenarios and be one step ahead of the
enemy. Unfortunately, pests such as fleas and
cockroaches are excellent travellers. Cockroaches
can hitch a li in cardboard packaging while fleas
and other biting insects can cling to employees’
clothing if they are using public transport.
No establishment can ever be guaranteed pest
free. Modern building techniques like using stud
partitioning, breeze blocks, suspended flooring
and main service voids, o en lend themselves to
creating the perfect harbourages for pests.
Overgrown vegetation can provide the ideal
hiding place for rodents and rubbish storage areas
may need examining if they are attracting rats and
mice.
QUALITY OF SERVICE OVER PRICE
As outlined, the contractor should belong to the
British Pest Control Association, with all sta
qualified to at least RSPH Level Two in pest control.
Check for Health and Safety accreditations and full
employers’ and public liability insurance.
Use a provider that has a stable workforce so
your dedicated technician gets to know your site
thoroughly. Some FMs can be misled by cheap
quotes and then they find the provider adds on
unexpected extras which means the seemingly
cheaper quote wasn’t cheaper a er all.
Make sure that there is a pest control contract in
place. Normal contracts for standard premises will
include a minimum of eight inspections a year. The
inspections should include all common areas such
as: plant rooms; basements; riser cupboards; car
parks and landscaped areas - all of the areas where
pests could harbour and reproduce undisturbed.
PROOF YOUR PREMISES
Proofing against a whole range of pests is never the
be all and end all, but should be looked at as part of
the overall integrated pest control system. E ective
proofing will restrict rather than be a complete
‘NO ENTRY’ to mice. Bristle stripping the bottom of
doors, especially external doors and riser cupboard
doors, should restrict movement and keep the
rodents out of the building.
Checking the external airbricks and weep holes
and putting specially designed covers on them, if
necessary, should be another regular inspection.
Bird spikes onto ledges, as well as the girders
beneath fire escapes and parapets, will stop
pigeons messing on steps and walkways. Netting
34 JULY 2022
on lightwells prevents birds gaining access into
sheltered areas at the back of buildings. Pigeons
bring with them other pest problems such as bird
mite, fleas and flies while fouling blocks gutters,
downpipes and air-conditioning intakes.
Cleankill has its own in-house Harrier Hawks and
handlers and the service is particularly popular
with FMs who want the greenest possible methods
of pest control to be used.
FLY CONTROL
Flies can cause particular problems as the weather
gets warmer and also in the Autumn when cluster
flies appear. The best solution is to install flycontrol
units in kitchens, catering areas, bin rooms
and delivery bays to catch the flies before they
enter the building. Modern units use glue-boards
and can be moved around a ected areas. The latest
units use LED lighting which is more economical
than the older UV fluorescent bulbs.
Flies and other insects can be treated using ultra
low-volume insecticide applicators during out-ofhours
periods. Fly screens can be an excellent way
of maintaining a through air flow while restricting
pest access.
INSPECTIONS AND REPORTS
Regular pest control inspections should keep
a good control over the rodent situation.
Rodenticides should be strategically placed around
the property as a first line of defence. If rodents are
spotted, your pest control technician should extend
the placement of rodenticides or increase the
number of visits. Insect detectors can be installed
discretely throughout buildings and regularly
checked.
Your pest control contractor should give suitable
advice and should work in conjunction with you –
good pest control is a two-way street and e ective
and regular communication between both parties
is essential.
Finally, digital reporting should mean a report is
sent within minutes of the service being carried out.
Reports should be read and acknowledged, not just
filed away. They will help you when environmental
health o icers visit.