With winter on its way, the colder temperatures of fall are an indicator that pests are sure to start making their way indoors for a little more warmth and some extra shelter. In addition, pests are constantly on the lookout for food and water and have no trouble making their homes nearby. That is when your restaurant or commercial business spaces become number one. Lots of spaces and plenty of food make the ideal winter wonderland for most pests, making commercial pest control and prevention a top priority for you, the business owner. Getting on top of any pest problem means getting on top of your Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan, and if you don’t have one, call Truly Nolen pest control professionals today to start creating one. An IMP is going to help your restaurant or commercial space to become less inviting to pests, as well as make it harder for them to get in. The following five steps will help ensure that your business remains ant, rodent, and cockroach free, and open for business.

Inspect Your Exterior

Pests like rats, mice, and cockroaches need no more than a hole the size of a dime to enter your establishment. Literally getting in through the smallest of spaces, you need to be extremely vigilant when inspecting your property’s exterior. Hiring a Truly Nolen pest control professional will help you to ensure that no detail is overlooked, and every procedure carried out to its appropriate purpose.

Identify Entry Points

With the help of your Truly Nolen pest control professional, identify access points and possible hot spots that are your business’s most vulnerable. These include, but are not limited to:

• Crack in the walls, foundation, junctions, and door frames
• Holes in the ceiling and walls
• Any gaps around the utility piping
• Unscreened drains and vents
• Tears in window and door screens
• Any shrubs or tree branches that are in contact with the building

Once these points have been established, sealing and repairing them is the next move in the right direction to prevention.

Implement Strategies

Effective implementation means an effective execution, so to speak, and repairing and replacing any broken or damaged seals will greatly help to further the cause. Consider the following:

• Repairing and replacing old and worn weather stripping and door sweeps along all your doors and windows
• Use a waterproof and permanent caulk around cracks, gaps, and crevices
• Place bait stations around your premises as a primary line of defence

These are just a few effective strategies that should be carried out in conjunction with your Truly Nolen commercial pest control professional.

Involve Your Staff

Adopt the attitude of if you see something, say something among your staff to better get a heads up on what, if any, pest situations may be going down. Set clear and defined goals and strategies to ensure your space is safeguarded against entry from pests, and ensure the small things are done properly. They often count the most.

Improve Your IMP

As your process moves forward and your tactics begin to work, new opportunities or challenges will arise and should be included in your overall IPM. Commercial pest control is an ongoing process that involves dedication and commitment, and the continual improvement of your IMP will best testament to your dedication and hard work. The cost of a pest infestation could, after all, cost you everything that you have worked so hard for.

By having Truly Nolen watching your back and guiding you every step of the way, your commercial pest control problems are sure to be a thing of the past. Protecting your commercial space is a task that is best done with all involved, and having your Truly Nolen professional by your side is going to make it all the easier, and more effective.