The post Pests In Large Offices: What Building Managers Can Do To Keep Them At Bay appeared first on UK Construction Blog.

When you think of pests in the workplace, it’s easy to imagine that one bloke who always chats to everyone and never gets anything done! But vermin, such as rats, insects and even birds, can seriously hamper your productivity and cause major health and safety issues for your team. 

These pests like to visit workplaces where there are lots of people, particularly large office spaces, such as co-working buildings. More people means more potential sources of food, and larger buildings have more spaces for pests to hide in, such as larger roofs or storage areas. 

As such, dealing with these pests proactively is an important part of the role of building managers looking after large office buildings. Here are some simple tips to make things easier. 

Install Pest Proofing Solutions

Prevention is better than the cure, as the saying goes, so where possible, try to find ways to keep pests from getting in to start with. Pest proofing comes in many forms, including storing food safely, blocking entry holes and using solutions such as bird netting to stop birds before they start nesting on the roof of the building. Bird netting installation experts like Integrum Services can fit these solutions to ensure that there are no gaps and that birds won’t be able to access areas such as flat roofs, where they might irritate office workers or leave droppings. 

Conduct Regular Pest Inspections 

All property managers should regularly inspect the premises they run for signs of pests like droppings, chew marks, nests, etc. Even minor pest problems can quickly escalate, as most pests breed incredibly rapidly. So, property managers need to review the situation regularly and act quickly if any evidence is found before the infestation takes hold. Proactivity will help to reduce the chances of service users noticing and reporting these issues, which could damage the reputation of the management company and lead to tenants not renewing their leases, cancelling early or complaining. 

Remove Potential Food Sources

Dirty workspaces that have lots of crumbs and other rubbish near them could become a source of food for pests, which will attract them and give them the energy they need to reproduce rapidly. As such, property managers need to make sure that everywhere is kept clean and tidy, particularly areas where food is prepared, stored or eaten by workers. Providing information to tenants and building users about the importance of cleanliness is vital, as is ensuring that regular inspections and cleaning are carried out throughout the property. 

Pest-Proof Bins And Waste Storage Areas

Many common pests don’t just eat human food- they’ll eat literally anything, including what we consider to be rubbish. Waste receptacles can also be a valuable source of nesting materials for pests such as rodents, so it’s important that they’re not accessible to vermin. Rats, in particular, are highly adept at accessing bins, so learn how to keep them out of bin stores. Using simple techniques such as cleaning bins regularly and keeping food waste separate from other items can be easy but effective ways to keep rats and other vermin away from commercial waste areas. 

A Brief Conclusion 

Keeping pests out of any residential or commercial building should be a high priority for property managers. Pests like rodents, cockroaches, termites and bed bugs are not just a nuisance – they can cause significant damage to the structure, contaminate food, spread diseases, and negatively impact the health and safety of occupants. Unchecked pest infestations can also lead to legal liabilities for property owners and managers. Therefore, it is imperative that managers remain vigilant and use these tips to reduce the chances of pests infiltrating their property and making it their home. With persistence and attention to detail, managers can effectively protect the people and properties under their care. Being lax about pest control inevitably leads to much larger problems down the road.