Nobody really likes talking about pest control and yet putting a regular programme in place is the one thing that will prevent your business from having a pest problem. If you are concerned about keeping pests away from your premises (and you should be), you might wonder how often pest control should be carried out.
This article will explain the factors that determine how often pest control should be carried out on your premises.
The honest answer is that it will depend on a few different factors, and they are best assessed by a pest control professional. They can carry out a survey and make recommendations about the frequency of visits required to keep pests away.
So, what kind of thing influences how often you need pest control? A professional will consider the type of pests, season, premises, industry, and current infestation level.
What factors determine how often pest control should happen?
At EWS, our IPM (Integrated Pest Management)service technicians will devise a pest control program based on a site survey and risk assessment. We offer services that could be one-off, annual, quarterly, monthly, or even weekly depending on the need.
Whilst residential properties are more likely to need a one-off series of visits to contain an infestation, commercial premises should consider investing in a preventative schedule. A schedule could not only eliminate a problem but will put in place effective preventative measures.
The following factors will help us recommend a programme that will be the most successful in controlling and preventing pests on your premises.
Seasonal
Some pests are a problem seasonally, and there is no point in doing a monthly visit for this issue. Instead, we recommend a schedule to prevent their return, such as an annual visit.
Legal Requirements
In the food industry, some regulations dictate the kind of programme required to keep your premises safe for public health.
To show that your business is complying with the law, we will put in a regular programme of visits to inspect your premises and carry out pest control. The auditing body(s) will normally prescribe the number of visits required, and EWS will also carry out a pest risk assessment to recommend a suitable schedule.
Warehouses are sites that need regular pest control programmes as many potential hazards will encourage rodent infestations. Although food will increase the attraction, any warehouse can be at risk of damaging wires and containers.
Setting up a regular schedule of visits can also save money in the long run and benefit health and safety.
Size and Type of Infestation
An infestation of flies will normally require fewer visits than an infestation of rats or cockroaches.
Flies can be dealt with by removing any potential harbourage sites and installing adequate prevention solutions to reduce the likelihood of a future problem. The products should have an annual maintenance check to ensure they continue to be effective.
Even a small rat problem can grow into a large one if left uncontrolled. Rats’ ability to reproduce every three weeks means a population can multiply very quickly.
Once an assessment has been made, there will need to be bait set, and these will need a regular visit to maintain. Measures should be taken to prevent their return, so it is sensible to implement a regular program to keep any potential infestation under control.
Special Considerations
Some environments are more hazardous when it comes to pest control. It may be that the surroundings increase the probability of pests such as a row of food premises that could easily cause infestations to spread like wildfire.
Other premises house vulnerable people, such as in care homes and hospitals, where waste disposal, food preparation and storage increase the likelihood of infestation.
It is vital to have a regular control programme to reduce the chances of spreading bacteria and diseases where vulnerable people might be exposed.
How often should a pest control technician visit commercial premises?
If your premises are vulnerable to infestation, then a regular visit from a technician will help you control and prevent pests that may be detrimental to your business.
If your premises do not have a history of infestation, you can have reduced visits to comply with regulations. If any signs of invasion are found, visits can be temporarily increased.
A rat problem may be ongoing due to the constant flow from a large population in the area. Frequency can be altered if prevention becomes successful or increased when an infestation becomes more of a problem.
A monthly contract will typically enable your premises to carry on unaffected with regular bait and management.
Cockroaches are another pest that requires a monthly contract as oriental cockroaches can flood from underground, requiring quick action. German cockroaches reproduce extremely rapidly, so regular monitoring is essential to prevent an infestation from becoming a huge problem where a pest risk analysis .
How often should a pest control check be done in residential properties?
A residential property will often require one-off pest control if the householder spots a pest problem. Often, it will not require a regular contract as a technician will usually be able to identify the issue and eliminate the infestation.
If the cause of the problem is dealt with, there will usually be no need for more visits. However, there can be an issue if the source of the problem cannot be resolved.
For example, if a neighbour is resistant to resolving a rat infestation, you may suffer from continual issues.
Other ongoing problems can be caused by mice who continually make new holes to enter your home or moth populations that have been neglected and require annual fumigation to prevent further damage to clothes and furnishings.
In these cases, you may want to create a regular programme to keep your home free of pests.
How do I find out how often pest control should be done?
If you are concerned about pests, the best way to ensure you eliminate a problem is to contact a certified pest controller. At EWS, we have trained specialist technicians who keep updated with UK legislation.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch to organise a rapid assessment of your pest problems.