Commercial Pest Control—You’ll Love It, They’ll Hate It
Picture this—you’re the owner of a manufacturing company here in Charlotte, N.C. It’s peak season, and it’s more important than ever that your shipments get out on time, your employees stay efficient, and your equipment runs smoothly. However, you begin to notice some issues around the warehouse. At a time when saving time and money is crucial, employees start getting sick, packages have holes in them, and your equipment isn’t functioning properly. You don’t know it yet, but pests have made their way into your warehouse. They have eaten through your product, threatened your employees’ health, and chewed through your electrical wiring. Scary, right? Without the proper commercial pest control plan, this, unfortunately, could happen to you. So, what can you do? And how do you prevent this from happening to your company?
Why Does My Warehouse Need Pest Control?
It’s no secret that huge distribution and warehouse centers have plenty of cracks and crevices for pests to hide—especially when you consider that many warehouses have over 100,000 square feet of space! Protecting that area from pests is crucial, in more ways than one. Pests can carry in a multitude of bacteria and contaminants, which could threaten the health and wellbeing of your employees. They can also chew through—and nest in—cardboard boxes, ruining your product inside and potentially the relationship you have with your customers (imagine opening a box to find a mouse living inside—gross!) Pests can gnaw through electrical equipment, eat through wood, and destroy your property. If pest issues aren’t treated carefully and quickly, you could end up with an infestation on your hands. In order to protect yourself, your employees, and your products, you need to have a pest control plan in mind. If you don’t know how they’re getting in, how are you supposed to keep them out? Likewise, understanding what pests you should expect plays a huge role in proper prevention, and can save you the headache of guessing games in the future.
What Pests Should I Be On The Lookout For?
Knowing what you’re up against is half the battle. Here are the pests to keep on your radar.
Cockroaches
We’re no stranger to the cockroach down here in the southern states. Aside from carrying lots of nasty bacteria, cockroaches can cause detrimental damages to your manufacturing facility. Cockroaches feed off of common warehouse materials like cardboard boxes and wood, which can be a hazard to your products and productivity. Pests like these love to live in the deep, dark corners of your warehouse, making them difficult to spot before you have a full-blown infestation.
Rodents
Pests like rats and mice pose a huge threat to the manufacturing industry for countless reasons. Rats only need a hole the size of a quarter to get inside, and mice can squeeze through a hole the size of a dime. Once they’re in, they can wreak havoc on your building, products and employees. Pests like rats and mice carry a multitude of diseases, and will leave behind droppings that can contaminate your product and threaten the health of employees. Not to mention, they will chew through anything they can sink their teeth into—electrical wiring, boxes, wood—you name it, they’ll chew it.
Termites
These pests might be some of the worst out there. Unseen intruders like termites can get in your boxes and walls and slowly deteriorate everything inside. Not only could this lead to issues with production, but also with your building’s foundation. Before your walls start crumbling down, be sure to check your building—and products—frequently for termite damage.
Birds
Birds can swoop in anytime, especially when loading dock doors are constantly opening and closing. Pests like birds will nest in your raftors, which can make them a difficult pest to eliminate. Their droppings will contaminate anything it comes into contact with, making it necessary to get them back outside. However, some birds are federally protected, so be sure to reach out to a professional before attempting to remove them.
Wildlife
Small pests and animals such as raccoons, squirrels, and bats can quickly find themselves seeking warmth or shelter in your warehouse or distribution center. Pests like these can frighten employees, destroy property, and leave behind unsafe droppings. Keeping wildlife in the wild is a crucial step to protecting your property from pest damage.
Flying insects
Pests like flies, moths, and bees are always ones you want to keep an eye out for, especially as we head towards spring. These flying insects will nest in your warehouse, and just like the others, can be detrimental to your wellbeing and work environment. Have a pest you don’t think we listed here? Dive into our Pest Encyclopedia to identify it.
What Can I Do To Protect My Assets From Pests?
There are a few things you can do on your own to protect yourself, your employees, your products, and your property from pest damage.
Be vigilant
By checking your products and property frequently, you will be able to fix break-in areas like cracks, crevices, and holes and be able to spot areas where you may have a potential infestation.
Monitor openings
In a busy warehouse or distribution center, doors are opening and closing all the time, giving pests an easy way in. Try to keep your doors closed as much as possible, and monitor them when they are open to see what might be sneaking in.
Stay educated
The more you know, the more you will be able to prevent. By staying aware of the potential pests in your area, you will be able to better prepare yourself for possible pest invasions. However, when in doubt, always consult a specialist. While these are efficient ways to protect your company and it’s valuable assets, the best thing you can do is establish a pest control plan. We know pest prevention is just one of the many things your company has to worry about, so if you’re not sure where to start, we can help! Through our three-step approach, we will be able to identify, treat, and most importantly, prevent pests from invading your facilities. We know all about pests–especially the local ones—and we’re ready to help you, your employees, and your business stay safe, the Killingsworth Way! Schedule an appointment with us today.
