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Tips to keep pests under control this summer
As temperatures rise, unwanted visitors can put your profits at risk. Mark Williams, Head of Technical Pest at Ecolab UKI, shares his tips on how to make sure they stay away
Wasps, flies and rats are a risk at all times of the year. But when warmer weather arrives, even more pests will be attracted towards your venue. As customers eat outside and windows and doors are left open, insects and rodents can get into your dining room, kitchen or bar more easily.
“Warmer temperatures, plentiful food sources and distracted staff can all combine to become a health and safety issue,” says Mark. “It’s the perfect situation for pests to be attracted to premises. So as we approach summer, everyone working in a venue must be vigilant to the threat pests can play to their business.”
1
What are the risks of pests?
Risking the health and safety of your customers isn’t the only way pests can disrupt the smooth operation of your business. They can also:
- Damage your reputation, particularly if a customer spots a pest or makes a complaint online
- Bring financial losses, including falls in profits or the cost of replacing spoilt food
- Lead to prosecution, fines or closures by public health and regulatory authorities.
- Taking a proactive approach will help your premises stay pest-free all year round.
This includes simple practices such as a regular cleaning regime, reporting any sightings and making sure that any entry points, such as drains, doors or windows are always kept secure.
2
Partner with a professional pest controller
Mark says working with a professional firm approved by the British Pest Control Association (BPCA) is recommended. They’ll not just help keep your premises pest-free but be aware of any upcoming changes in legislation. They can then recommend how the pest management on your site may need to adapt. Mark explains: “For example, in October 2023, the Welsh government banned the use of glue boards to control pests in both residential and commercial premises. “In England, the government is putting a licensing scheme in place from July 2024 where you can request to use them under certain circumstances. The Scottish government is still consulting and hasn’t decided on any legislation changes yet. “By having a professional on your side, you can make sure the right controls are in place to keep your premises safe and on the right side of the law.”
3
Have a pest control plan
Working with your professional pest control partner, you should have an agreed policy that both parties sign up to. This means you’ll all understand the particular actions you need to take to keep your premises safe. It will also set out your team’s roles and responsibilities, including any pest control training you recommend or require. The plan might also include the timings of pest control visits to your venue, how you’ll keep in touch with them and how your employees can report any pest signs or incidents. Having this plan in place means everyone will be taking proactive action to manage pests onsite.
“£20,000 is the typical magistrates’ court fine for each offence where food has risked customers’ health. But it can be higher or custody ”
- Food Standards Agency
Keep everywhere clean and tidy
The cleaner your venue, the less appealing it is to pests. This is because there won’t be anything for them to feast on. A pest is a simple creature. It’s always searching for its next food source. So if your premises are kept clean, there will be fewer food sources on offer. In particular, food storage and preparation areas should be kept clean at all times. Make sure the team members who work in this environment know that it’s their care and work which will either deter or attract pests. Put time aside in people’s schedules for these tasks and get supervisors to check potential ‘danger zones’ frequently.
Get to the root cause
Getting rid of any pest from your premises is the priority. However, to protect your venue long-term, you need to figure out the root causes of your problems and put in ongoing measures. Treating the pest at the source will prevent any future activity onsite. Searching for places where pests might be sheltering, figuring out any routes of access into the premises from the outside and finding out what’s attracting them to the site in the first place are all tasks your pest controller can help with. This will shut off any potential food source and stop any problem in its tracks.
Think outside-in
An outside-in approach means thinking about and solving any risk factors external to your premises. Securing any potential entry points, such as doors, windows and drains, will stop any pests from getting in. Having the same attitude to cleanliness outside as you do inside will help. Keeping the waste disposal or rubbish bin area clean and well-maintained is absolutely critical. Putting up preventative measures such as fly screens is another positive step you can take. A good partnership with your pest controller will also help you get to the root cause of problems.
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