A Step in Pest Prevention: Your Pest Control Inspection Checklist

Keeping your commercial space and office free from pests is crucial to ensure the productivity of your employees and the loyalty of your customers. A pest-free environment not only promotes cleanliness but also instills a sense of trust and safety among those who enter your establishment and support your business.

While it’s essential to hire commercial pest control services regularly to ensure the cleanliness and safety of your property, paying for professionals every week or month can become impractical. Instead of relying on others to help you determine if your space has been infested with pests, you should strive to learn how to do it yourself to save time and money. 

In this article, we’ll provide you with a pest control inspection checklist to help you identify signs of infestation before they become severe.

Look for Entry Points

The first thing you need to do when looking for signs of infestation in your property is to look for any openings where pests can enter. These can be in the form of tiny cracks and gaps in your establishment, which can be easily overlooked.

Make sure to check the windows and doors to your commercial space for gaps or broken seals. You should also inspect the building’s foundations and walls for any cracks, including where utilities enter the property. No matter how small the opening may be, pests can easily squeeze through them and wreak havoc on your business.

Check for Leaks and Standing Water

Be mindful of any leakage or standing water in and around your commercial property as it can attract different kinds of pests, such as mosquitoes and cockroaches. Remember that pests need water to survive too, and even a small amount of water may be enough to entice them to nest in your office or establishment.

To check for leaks and standing water, a part of your daily pest control checklist should be inspecting spaces under sinks, around appliances that use water, and in restrooms. Ensure that all plumbing is in good working order and that there are no drips or leaks. You should also walk outside your property and see if there are any puddles of water or areas where water may collect.

Inspect Garbage Disposal Containers

One of the most common reasons for pests in the building is improper garbage disposal. Trash, especially food waste, is highly attractive to pests, including mice, cockroaches, and ants.

To avoid dealing with this nuisance and having to resort to commercial pest management, inspect your garbage disposal containers regularly. Check the condition of your garbage containers and look for signs of damage or leaks. 

If you see cracks in the bin, dispose of it immediately to prevent any pest from crawling into it and feeding off garbage. It’s also important to clean the containers and their surrounding area at least once a week to remove any residues that could attract pests.

Check Surrounding Trees and Foliage

Although it might not be common knowledge, pests can use overgrown trees and bushes to gain access to your property. That’s why it’s essential to inspect the surrounding areas of your establishment regularly to see if any foliage has grown too close to the building. 

If you notice some overgrown plants, trim them as early as possible. This will prevent any pests from using the foliage to enter your property and can even make your commercial space look more presentable.

Look for Food Remains and Dispose Accordingly

Mice, cockroaches, and other pests are notorious for sniffing out food remains no matter how little there is. To make sure that they won’t have any reason to enter your establishment, regularly inspect and clean out areas where food is prepared, stored, or consumed.

Dispose of food remains properly whenever possible and ensure that food storage areas are maintained clean and well-organized. You should also remind your employees to clean up after themselves and prevent them from storing food in their personal workspaces to keep the property pest-free.

Watch Out for Evidence of Pests

Even with the best prevention methods, it’s crucial to know how to identify signs of pest activity. Here are some common indicators to watch for:

Droppings or Urine

One of the most obvious signs of a pest infestation is the presence of droppings or urine. You can often see these in areas where pests might hide, such as behind appliances, in cabinets, and in storage rooms.

Different pests leave different types of waste, so familiarize yourself with what to look for. For example, rodent droppings are small and dark, while cockroach droppings look like ground coffee.

Chew Marks

Chew marks on furniture, wiring, or walls can indicate the presence of rodents. Rats and mice need to chew constantly to keep their teeth sharp, and they often target wood, plastic, and even electrical wiring.

Inspect areas in your commercial property where rodents may hide, including dark spaces, hidden corners, and near baseboards. If you see any chew marks in these places, chances are that you’re dealing with an infestation and should hire pest control services right away.

Nesting Signs

Many pests build nests where they can stay safe and reproduce while continuously damaging your property. To determine if a pest has nested in your establishment, look for signs of nesting material such as shredded paper, fabric, or plant matter. You should also try to look for the nest itself, which is often found in hidden, undisturbed areas like attics, basements, and storage rooms.

Tunneling

Tunneling is a common sign of termite or ant infestations. Check wooden structures for small holes or tunnels, and look for piles of sawdust-like material called frass. This can indicate that pests are burrowing into your building’s structure.

TopBest: Your Caring Pest Control Service Provider

Regularly inspecting your commercial space and office for signs of pests is an essential part of running a business. By following this checklist, you can identify and address potential issues before they escalate, saving you time and money in the long run. 

If you see evidence of pests after completing the pest control inspection checklist, it’s best to contact the experts. At TopBest, you won’t have to ask yourself if pest control is worth it. We make sure to thoroughly inspect your property and provide you with exceptional pest control services to address your needs. When you trust our dedicated team, you won’t have to worry about rodents and insects wreaking havoc on your property while you run your business.