Keeping New Years’ resolutions isn’t easy. Keeping pests from trying to gain access to a commercial property also isn’t easy. What resolutions should QA and property managers make in 2021 to keep pests from becoming an issue?
Frank Giannico, regional sales manager in central and southern California for Clark Pest Control, says addressing behavioral and operational issues – sanitation, structural and behavioral practices – is the most important resolution to make.
“It starts and ends there,” says Giannico. “Pests are the symptoms that lead to discovering the root cause of a pest infestation.”
A missing door sweep, a crack in a slab floor in the production area or a missed cleaning on a piece of processing equipment can lead to an unwanted pest infestation.
Giannico encourages QA and property managers to make it a point to become more active in their facility and property’s pest management programs in 2021. He also encourages clients to expand education and training for team members emphasizing the important role they play in sustaining a successful pest management program.
Why do pest management resolutions fail? Giannico says it often starts with clients not having a clear vision of what is needed to establish and sustain an effective pest management or food safety program.
“You can’t start on a journey without a map or destination in mind,” says Giannico. “Identifying the requirements needed to achieve internal and external goals is the first step and Clark can work with clients to make that happen.”
It is also important to share your vision and specific requirements with your pest management service provider and for them to reciprocate. An effective pest management program is a collaborative effort.
Cost is another consideration, especially under current conditions where businesses are impacted by another round of pandemic-related closures and restrictions.
Giannico says commercial clients must weigh the cost of not acting to prevent or eliminate a rodent or cockroach problem. In the long run, it costs much less to prevent a pest issue than to react to one once it has become established.
The threat of product recalls, failed audits, reputational damage or legal action from clients, not to mention the potential danger to consumers who may purchase and consume tainted food products caused by bacteria-laden pests, speak loudly for resolving to maintain a regular pest management program.
Another final resolution is to engage coworkers from the c-suite to the processing floor to get behind the effort to prevent pests. As mentioned earlier, providing employees a clear target and access to training and education will go a long way to altering the negative impact a pest infestation presents.
Key Points
- Address the behavioral actions that promote pest conducive conditions.
- Promptly fix any structural, sanitation or behavioral issues and document what was done and if it worked.
- Communicate with your pest management services provider – what are you seeing, what are your concerns and requirements – and ask the same of them.
- Commit to expanding training and education programs for staff.
Clark Pest Control remains committed to safeguarding your business from pests during these uncertain times. Our service technicians use personal protective equipment – gloves, masks and respirators – practice social distancing, deploy call ahead notifications and strictly adhere to all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines when servicing inside or outside your business.
If your company is looking for a pest management partner that understands your business, and can help you protect your products, employees and customers, give Clark Pest Control a call at (800) 936-3339.