Be the Eyes & Ears That Keep Pests from Getting a Foot in the Door

Bottom line: pests aren’t welcome in your office. Since most pests have more arms, legs – and in some cases, even eyes – than you, it’s important to get involved in the pest management program at your office.

“Early detection of pest presence gives your pest management professional a leg up to efficiently and effectively address the problem,” says Dr. Ron Harrison, an entomologist with pest control company Orkin. “With everyone on board to spot pest activity, you’ll be more likely to prevent pests from getting past the front desk.”

Keeping an Eye on Pest Presence
* Droppings – Rodents try to conceal their presence but their telltale droppings are a sure sign they’re afoot. Rodent droppings are approximately the size of a raisin, and mice droppings are the size of a grain of rice.
* Teeth Marks – Rats and mice are constantly gnawing, so look for chew marks around utility openings and along base boards and door frames.
* Cast Skins – Cockroaches shed skins that contain bacteria and aggravate allergies and asthma.
* Point of Entry – Pests can make their way into a building a number of ways, including cracks and crevices in the exterior or through poorly sealed doorframes. 

Sounding off about Pests
* Early detection is critical, so call our office immediately if you see any of the signs of pests described above.
* In addition to knowing the signs to watch for, it helps to understand what attracts pests to your office. Pests seek the same essential elements of survival that people do – food, water and shelter. Once inside an office building, pests will migrate to areas where water and food are readily available. Help us keep both to a minimum by throwing away all food waste in the proper receptacles and reporting maintenance issues like leaks and drips that can attract pests. 

Make sure to clean up spills and food residue in break rooms to keep pests from making a meal out of leftover lunches. Keep trash inside dumpsters and report any lapse in trash removal services. 

Together, you and your coworkers can help prevent pests from punching in at your office. Accurate identification and quick treatment is key to managing pests before they can cause any harm or damage. At the first hint of a pest infestation, contact our office so we can have a licensed pest control professional inspect and treat as needed. 

For more tips on pest prevention in your home or business, visit orkin.com.