While April is National Pest Control Month, it’s never a bad time for commercial cleaning managers to brush up on best practices during the summer months.
Certain pests, such as rodents and roaches, are common invaders of facilities and are known to transmit potentially serious diseases and bacteria to humans, and can be difficult to eradicate on your own. Termites are another pest consumers should watch out for as they can cause costly property damage while remaining unnoticed in unoccupied areas of the home.
To help consumers prepare for the peak pest season this spring and summer, NPMA recommends the following expert tips:
- Prevent termites by installing downspouts, gutters, and splash blocks to direct water away from the foundation. Be sure to also remove any mulch or wood contact with the outside of the structure.
- Prevent mosquitoes by removing sources of moisture around the property, as this pest only needs half an inch of water to reproduce.
- Prevent flies by removing trash regularly and using well-sealed containers to keep this pest from getting indoors.
- Prevent rodents by caulking any cracks on your property with a suitable sealant.
- Prevent cockroaches by practicing proper hygiene. Avoid stacking dishes in the kitchen and be sure to wipe down countertops to keep them free of food debris.
Another pest that can wreak havoc on facilities and residents are ticks. Tick encounters are commonplace across the country. In fact, a recent survey* of over 2,000 US adults, commissioned by the NPMA and conducted online by The Harris Poll, found that nearly two-thirds of Americans (63 percent) have seen ticks or removed a tick from themselves, someone else or a pet. This data is alarming and makes it imperative for facility managers to take action now to protect their property.
Tips for protecting commercial property from ticks include:
- Clear away any overgrown plants or bushes, especially at the property boundary, to eliminate potential tick habitats
- Remove foliage as this can act as a tick repellent
- Eliminate potential rodent food sources to keep them off the property by securing trash receptacles as these animals can carry ticks into your yard
- Use materials like gravel or wood chips to create a barrier at the edge of your property to discourage tick migration from the surrounding greenery
- Keep the grass cut low to prevent ticks from hiding in the greenery
- Build a fence around your facility to keep out wild animals like deer or raccoons, as they can carry embedded ticks onto the property
You can find more facility management tips from the NPMA here.
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