A pest control contract for your business, especially if serving and storing food, is a very sensible health and safety measure to have in place. However, is pest control a legal requirement in the UK?
In a line the answer is no – if you run a business in the UK there is no legal obligation to have a permanent professional pest control contract in place. However, there is a legal requirement that your business pest control is managed. Basically, you can decide if you want a professional pest control company to take care of your pest control management for you. If you choose not have professional pest control management, it is law that you still manage all pest control risks and pest control prevention procedures ‘in house’. Any business serving or selling food may be asked to show their pest management practices are of a high enough standard during a health and hygiene inspection.
Often a pest outbreak is only noticed after damage has been caused, which can mean damaged stock or worse. The impact of a pest control outbreak can be extremely serious, especially if it becomes public knowledge which is all too easy these days with online reviews and social media.
How can you manage pest control effectively for your business?
Staff training – make sure employees are familiar with signs of pests and know where to report a pest outbreak so that it can be dealt with as quickly as possible.
Thorough and regular cleaning routine – a proper scheduled cleaning rota so that all areas are maintained hygienically. Cleaning is also an opportunity to notice signs of a rodent or insect infestation.
Grounds maintenance – outside areas are also important to maintain and keep clean. Waste attracts rodents and insects and once you have an infestation outside, it’s often just a matter of time before the infestation moves inside your property.
Waste management – food waste should be outside, in a bin with a well-fitting lid and away from buildings where possible.
Professional pest control – if signs of a pest infestation are noticed then using professional pest control services is highly recommended at this stage. Reputable professional pest controllers will be discreet. They are also insured, trained and qualified with access to very effective licensed pest control products. They know how to exterminate a pest infestation as quickly as possible and can also advise on future pest prevention.
The above steps all contribute to managing pest control for your business and will also deal with a pest outbreak when one occurs. However, to save reputation (especially if your business serves or sells food) and prevent costly stock damage, the absolute best way to manage pest control is to have a commercial pest control contract in place for your business.
Commercial Pest Control with Country Life Pest Control
Our commercial pest control services provide regular, fully documented visits. You will be assigned a named member of our team who will manage your pest control account with us. We find this gives you a more personal service and our technician is familiar with your business so has more thorough knowledge of your property and business needs. We are on call 7 days a week, and will be with you promptly for any ad hoc pest control requirements in between visits. For more information about our commercial pest control services please call our office on 01789 549020. We can also arrange for a free, no obligation on-site survey and quote. Our dedicated team is local, trusted and here to help you.
