Empty Offices and Pest Control: Keep Your Guard Up

For nearly a year, many of our neighbors and community members have been working and learning from home. This means that countless offices, schools, and plenty of other buildings have been sitting underused or empty for long stretches of time. Regardless of what the building was used for, unoccupied spaces are the ideal habitat for pests.

At Cleveland Bee Removal we know that this threat might not be at the top of management’s list. But we can’t emphasize enough how vital a battle it is to keep waging. Read on for some pointers and suggestions to keep your property pest-free and ready for the day when workers can return.

Out of Mind, Right in Sight

Like it or not, insects, rodents, and other invaders are often hiding just out of sight and they may have been our unseen coworkers for years. Now that our work spaces aren’t seeing as much foot traffic, these typically cautious creatures can become emboldened, seeing empty spaces as theirs for the taking.

Since we aren’t in the buildings as much, if at all, pests likely aren’t top of mind. Without the constant influx of food scraps and garbage cans to empty, we could think that pests have gone elsewhere. But generally the opposite is true. The pests are likely still there, and without the steady supply of food they could be getting desperate. This means they could be taking more chances, heading into open areas and foraging for food. While they’re out exploring, they could also end up causing damage as they chew and burrow, looking for a meal or a place to call home.

While it might initially seem a minor consideration, getting a handle on pest control is serious business. Ensuring that rodents and insects are kept at bay can go far to protect the nation’s food supply and critical infrastructure. Commercial pest control is also a top way to decrease the threat of pest-borne disease.

Winning the Pest Battle

Since they are in desperate times, rodents and other pests might be more likely to fall victim to traditional extermination methods. But a multi-pronged approach is always your best bet. Here are some tips to be sure that you’re covering every angle:

Regular Inspections
Even if a building isn’t in use, visit often to see if you can catch a glimpse or evidence of rodents and other pests’ calling cards. If you see a live or dead rodent, you most likely have a serious infestation on your hands. Other common signs to look for are droppings, nests, urine stains, tracks, or gnaw marks. Be sure to thoroughly inspect incoming shipments for evidence of pests before bringing anything into your facility.

Food Removal
Keeping your facility tidy is always important, but even more so when rodents could be proliferating. Even a small bag of garbage that’s not quickly removed can help a resident rodent population to survive. And they’ll be bolder in snagging it, since they are likely desperate for food right now. Maintain good trash removal habits and focus on confining food waste to one regularly monitored and cleaned area. If food is stored on site, be sure it is in tightly sealed containers that rodents can’t chew through.

Habitat Prevention
Moist, dark places and spots that are tightly packed provide cover, protection, and might offer a food source. From unused stairwells and loaded shelves to empty lockers, idle machinery, and abandoned worktables, rodents can quickly set up shop. Eliminate clutter, leave space between stock items, and be sure that potential nesting materials are well-packaged. Keeping up your building’s exterior surroundings can also help to discourage rodents who love the cover that overgrown vegetation provides.

Frequent Cleaning
Regular sanitizing ensures that should anything tempting be left on work surfaces, it’s gone before resident pests get a chance to benefit. If workers are in the building consistently, sanitizing might be done daily. Otherwise, a regular schedule should be set up to ensure that nothing is ever left behind for insects, rodents, and other pesky opportunists to glean. A quick surface wipedown and garbage check during your regular inspections is a good way to handle this.

Reducing Entry Points
Once rodents are inside, it’s tricky to keep them at bay. The best goal is to keep them from ever coming in. But they are masters at sneaking through small spaces. For mice, that means a hole the size of a dime. For rats, a quarter-sized opening will do. And insects need far less space. Beyond the obvious task of sealing any holes or cracks, remember that rodents can easily gnaw open smaller holes, like the points where utility lines enter the building. Sealing everything and routinely inspecting those seals is a great first line of defense. Ensuring that vents and windows are screened, broken doors or windows are repaired, and door sweeps are installed can also help to keep insects and rodents out.

Calling in the Pros
There’s only so much you can do in the fight against pest intruders. This is especially true if you aren’t able to get on the premises very often. Here is where a licensed commercial exterminator comes in. Their experience, expertise, and specialized equipment allow them to be alert to key signs while handling the situation quickly and efficiently. Commercial pest control experts can locate problem areas, eliminate infestations, and prevent recurring outbreaks.

Rodents and other pests are top vectors for serious, infectious diseases. Clearing them out of offices and other buildings should be top-priority as businesses look ahead to resuming in-person operations.

Professional or DIY?

Retail options for pest control abound but companies aren’t so great at educating the public about a product’s possible dangers or consequences. On the other hand, commercial pest control experts know that every product has risks. They also understand the pests’ habits and are able to take a targeted approach to extermination, providing for the overall safety and well-being of the people who may be using these spaces now or in the future.

The government recognizes that pests within empty office spaces is a serious problem. Throughout the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic pest management and extermination services continue to be deemed essential, enabling commercial exterminators to keep up this vital work. A licensed commercial pest control specialist can help to implement the appropriate management plan and attack the problem head on.

Your Local Commercial Exterminator

At Cleveland Bee Removal we focus on pest extermination and removal in the Greater Cleveland, OH area. We are a locally-owned and -operated company, and our team comprises licensed professionals who understand the ins and out of pest removal.

Your satisfaction and safety are our goal, so we will always address your specific needs thoroughly and in a professional manner. To learn more about our variety of commercial pest control services or to schedule a consultation, feel free to give us a call or send an online request. We will be happy to inspect the site and discuss the best treatment options with you.