When it comes to pest control for your building, the best defence is a strong offence. When you have the opportunity to design and construct your building, this is especially applicable.
You might say that planning for pest control when you could be thinking about the size of your reception area or the right mood-creating light fittings is taking planning a bit too far, but when working in an industry like food manufacturing – where one cockroach can shut down your whole operation for an extended period of time – you need to take every opportunity to future proof your revenue.
When talking to your architect about pest exclusion it’s important to keep the types of pests which are prevalent in that area and their behaviour in mind: pests will be looking for harbourage, food and water.
What are the kinds of structural measures you can employ to prevent pests?
- Consider minimising decorative ledges on the exterior of your building as ledges are desirable resting and nesting areas for birds.
- Be mindful of where you place the external unit of your HVAC system so that when you bird proof the unit it doesn’t compromise the facade of your building.
- When choosing your entrance doors, ensure that they seal properly to minimise the risk of rodents squeezing in under the door. Mice can squeeze through a 0.6 cm gap – so they really do need to seal well.
- Choose exterior lighting options for your building that don’t use incandescent light bulbs, because these are known to attract flying insects like moths.
- Pay special attention to your refuse and recycling area. A wide range of pests find this area an ideal food source, so ensure that your garbage bins have tight fitting lids, that waste is easily and regularly removed, and that your waste area is as close to the municipal collection point as possible.
Pest control measures you can consider for construction
- Invite a professional pest control provider to consult before starting construction so that pest prevention measures can be included early on.
- When planning your build, pencil-in your pre-construction termite treatment when planning your foundation. The treatment will prevent subterranean termites from causing damage to your building and your pocket. Post-construction drill-and-inject treatments might be inconvenient and an unnecessary additional cost.
- Ensure that rubble and rubbish is removed from your building site on a regular basis to minimise the risk of attracting rats.
- Use pest-resistant materials where possible, like durable bristle strips under roller doors, to prevent damage caused by pests entering your site.
- Ensure that pipes and cabling are finished properly as gaps around pipes provide easy access to your building for crawling insects like cockroaches.
Looking for a pest control provider? Find out if Rentokil is the right partner for you.
