Pest control in the workplace is often an overlooked factor when ensuring workplace safety and cleanliness. After all, employees often take the basic steps to ensure cleanliness, and they usually dine out of the office. However, offices are still susceptible to pest infestations in more ways than they think. There are many nooks and crannies within the workplace and overlooked factors in preventing pest infestations.
There is no way to truly eradicate pests in the office, but understanding the various factors that play a part in pest management will help you and your employees create a safer, healthier space for all.
So, here are four common reasons why your office may be susceptible to pest infestations, and how you can deal with them effectively.
1. Your office may be more cluttered than you think
Pests are not only attracted to food. While crumbs and poorly stored leftovers are well-known for attracting pests, managers often forget how pests love dark, cluttered spaces as well.
Offices often store files and boxes that provide the perfect environment for pests to set up shelters and nests. Rodents often create nests in such undisturbed areas, while cockroaches and ants may hide in such hidden spots. To prevent this, store your items in sealed cabinets.
Boxes are fine, but you can prevent empty nooks and crannies by properly aligning and sealing them. Better yet, going digital for the most part would prevent the accumulation of paper and other hardcopy versions of important data. Discard unused items as soon as possible to prevent attracting these pests.
2. Not cleaning up after dining in the office
As the pandemic is still ongoing, dining in the office is more convenient, if not a must. With that, chances of attracting pests with crumbs and sauce drops may likely increase when one eats in the office while common appliances such as the microwave may also be neglected during cleaning sessions.
In consequence, these food waste and stains may start attracting pests, so approaches like setting up a system to clear food waste from the workspace can help maintain a clean office space. A separate trash can is also essential for preventing pests as they do not mix food and paper waste.
Additionally, throwing away trash immediately after consuming food will deter pests from infiltrating the workplace. Furthermore, cleaning and disinfecting the trash can will prevent waste residue, reducing the risk of pests. Lastly, including ant traps, cockroach control solutions, and other pest control products in your office in such high-risk corners will prevent pests as well.
3. Overlooking structural issues
There are various reasons why pests can enter a home, and structural issues are another one of them. Look out for these gaps, cracks, and holes to prevent these insects and pests from entering your office. That crack in your office wall may not just be chipped paint, but rather a space for pests to hide in and set up shelter and nests. The earlier you target these spots, the easier it will be to prevent a full-fledged infestation.
Work with your employees and colleagues to look out for such structural problems. Wall putty is an affordable solution for patching up these interior flaws and can be easily done on your own. If you are still unsure, contact your contractor or a company that specialises in commercial and office cleaning for help.
4. Negligence and poor habits
Sometimes, carelessness and delays are the root cause of pest control problems. It may be tempting to brush off a simple crack in the wall as a minor problem, or simply delay taking out the trash and wait for someone else in the office to do it.
Building a sense of personal responsibility and a culture of accountability in the office will ensure that everyone does their part in pest prevention. Cultivate a positive and responsible working culture by delegating your employees with cleaning duties and ensuring accountability.
Emphasise the importance of personal responsibility when it comes to ensuring a clean working space for all. As your employees realise how prevention is better than cure and take the necessary steps to do their part, pest prevention is easier than ever.
Conclusion
Office cleaning goes beyond the basics and should extend to pest control and other overlooked areas. Pest control is necessary for a healthy working environment, so encourage everyone to do their part in the workplace.
If your company is struggling with pest control, consult a company that specialises in office cleaning in Singapore. Here at ABBA, our three-pronged approach will eliminate the presence of pests and reduce future risk. Contact us today as you cultivate the healthiest possible working space for your employees.
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