In the current financial climate some businesses may feel that pest control services and contracts are an area where savings are possible. Be warned that the long-term cost of cutting back on pest control may far outweigh any short-term financial gain.
A pest control contract should be viewed as an insurance policy. It should be seen as part of a due dilligence defence for a business owner to show they they have done what is reasonably practicable to protect people and products from pests. As with all insurance policies, you need to adhere to certain conditions and these will be the recommendations given by the pest controller in their report. So, if you decide to go without an insurance policy, then what are the risks?
The Risks
Disease is one. It can be passed on to staff or customers via contaminated products. Rats, cockroaches and housefly can transfer a number of illnesses. A business owner who ignores pest activity and allows employees or customers to fall ill would find themselves in serious trouble with enforcement bodies. Heavy fines and jail are possible.
The cost of a pest infestation can also be heavy in terms of damage to stock and equipment. Mice feed little and often, taking food from dozens of locations on a single night. They are also incontinent and freely urinate and defecate on every surface. Rodents must also gnaw to stunt the growth of their incisor teeth, often shutting down machinery when power cables are chewed through.
Every year, a number of properties are damaged and destroyed by rodents causing fires and floods with their gnawing habits. Disease, damage prosecution and bad publicity can all be caused by unchecked pest infestations.
The Solution
A pest control contract with a suitably insured, trained and qualified will not necessarily guarantee a pest-free environment. Regular inspection visits with a competent contractor will act as an early warning system, when pest activity can be idientified and adealt with before it becomes a threat to the business.
A contract that contains a call-out programme is also beneficial as it ensures that any pest activity taking place between routine visits can be rapidly dealt with.