by Greg Baumann — As the sun starts to creep back out and the seasons change, flowers aren’t the only things in bloom — pest populations also start to shake off winter’s cold and seek out new places to eat, drink and breed. Increased activity around parking lots, exterior walls, entrances and roofs caused by warmer weather means pests have a variety of access points they can use to reach the resources they need to survive and flourish. And unfortunately, once pests find a way indoors, their presence can be both stressful and costly.
From spring showers that leave standing water around your property to increased traffic through entryways, warmer weather poses a number of threats to the integrity of your facility’s sanitation and maintenance programs. Thankfully, partnering with a pest management professional to develop an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program can help address these issues and defend your facility against infestations and expensive remediation. IPM programs focus on proactive methods to reduce the food, water and shelter pests seek and discourage them from taking up permanent residence in your building.
Work with a pest management professional to target key pest entry points and harborage areas and incorporate the following IPM tactics into your regular maintenance and sanitation routine:
The Foundation
Take advantage of the cooler weather to conduct a thorough inspection of your building’s exterior while pests are still dormant.
- Seal any cracks in your building’s exterior walls with weather-resistant sealant.
- Fill gaps around pipes and drains with metal mesh to prevent rodents from gaining access.
- Consider installing sodium vapor light fixtures on the exterior if you are replacing lighting, which are less attractive to pests.
Entrances
When the weather warms up, tenants and staff are likely to travel in and out of the building more often. Monitoring doors and windows carefully can help ensure pests are kept at bay.
- Work with an HVAC professional to ensure the building has positive airflow. Make sure to direct airflow away from the building to push pests out the door. Air curtains, which create a current of air directed from the building in an open doorway, can also help prevent flying pests from entering your facility.
- Install door sweeps, window screens and weather stripping around doors and windows to keep pests from crawling inside.
- Be sure to check crates, dollies and pallets being brought in and out of service doors for signs of pests, and keep all doors closed when not in use.
Up on the Roof
Roofs are often left unchecked, but can be an open door to pests looking for a way inside your facility. Constant exposure to the outdoors means pests are always a threat, and roof ledges can provide the perfect perch for birds, which can cause a disturbance to your tenants and staff.
- Regularly inspect your roof and rooftop HVAC units for evidence of any openings, cracks or crevices that pests may be using to enter your building. Then seal these with a weather-resistant sealant.
- Birds tend to roost on flat surfaces, which is why they are most often found on roof ledges. Talk with your pest management professional about some of the advanced techniques available for repelling birds.
- Eliminate puddles of water left after rain showers or caused by leaky HVAC units to reduce the likelihood of rooftop pest activity.
Building Grounds
Go beyond the building and identify areas where pests may congregate around the outside of your facility. Landscaping and parking lots can be pest hotspots.
- Trim back hedges at least two feet from your building and consider installing a 30-inch wide gravel strip around the entire exterior of the building, if practical. This strip discourages rodents.
- Sweep or mop up any standing water on sidewalks or in parking lots, as this can serve as an easy water source for pests. Regularly monitor common walking areas for trash and debris.
- Line all outdoor trash cans and use lids to reduce access for pests. Position your dumpsters as far away from the building as possible.
A successful IPM program requires proactive efforts and diligent attention to discourage pests from entering your building. By partnering with a pest management professional, you can help equip your facility for spring pest activity and reduce the likelihood of needing expensive treatments to eliminate pest presence.
About the Author: Greg Baumann is vice president of Training and Technical Services for Orkin. A degreed chemist and licensed pest management professional, his global pest management experience spans 30 years. For more information, e-mail gbaumann@orkin.com or visit www.orkincommercial.com.