Beware of false economies warns pest control expert
A leading pest control company is urging hard-pressed small businesses not to cut corners when it comes to pest control or it could land them in hot water.
Paul Bates, Managing Director of pest control company Cleankill, said: “An annual contract from a reputable company for a small business such as a café should cost around £500. If you take a chance, don’t put a system in place and then have a problem, you could face fines of several thousand pounds.”
Paul went on to say that it’s not just the risk of fines to worry about: “If a customer spots a rat or mouse in your premises and calls Environmental Health inspectors you might have to close until the problem is sorted out – and you can’t put a price on the damage to your company’s reputation when word spreads.”
Businesses which prepare food and store foodstuffs on their premises need to pay particular attention to pest control requirements.
Here are some tips from Cleankill:
- Proof the bottom of any doors so rodents cannot get underneath – the use of brush strips can restrict the entry of mice beneath doors
- make sure that the outside of their premises is sound and secure and repair broken air vents and that all the service pipes have seals – wire wool around pipe works acts as an effective and cheap proofing material around pipes. Air vents can be covered with specially made air brick mesh covers
- Check under shelving on the shop floor and in the store cupboard to make sure there are no broken packets of food.
- Raise stock off the ground on shelving
- Have a cleaning plan in place and make sure they sweep and mop daily and pull out any fridge units (they make perfect hiding places for rodents)
- Dispose of any stock if you have a suspicion that it has been contaminated
- Keep an eye out for any droppings and take immediate action
- Be wary if there is an empty premises next door as any infestations could easily spread into your premises.
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