Category: Commercial Services

As a business owner or manager, ensuring the safety and well-being of your employees and customers is a top priority. One important aspect of maintaining a safe and healthy environment is pest control. Pest infestations can lead to serious health hazards, property damage, and loss of revenue. Regular inspections for commercial pest control can help prevent these issues and keep your business running smoothly.

In this blog, we’ll discuss the importance of regular inspections for commercial pest control and what you can expect from these inspections.

Why Regular Inspections are Important

Regular inspections for commercial pest control are important for several reasons:

1. Early Detection: Regular inspections can help detect pest problems before they become widespread. By catching pest infestations early, you can prevent the spread of pests and avoid the need for costly treatments.
2. Prevention: Inspections can identify potential entry points and breeding areas for pests, allowing you to take preventative measures before an infestation occurs.
3. Compliance: Many industries have regulations and standards in place that require regular pest control inspections. By staying on top of inspections, you can ensure compliance with these regulations and avoid any potential fines or penalties.
4. Reputation: A pest infestation can damage your business’s reputation and lead to loss of customers. Regular inspections can help you maintain a pest-free environment and protect your reputation.

What to Expect During an Inspection

During a commercial pest control inspection, a trained professional will thoroughly inspect your business for any signs of pest activity. Here’s what you can expect during an inspection:

1. Identification: The inspector will identify any pests present on the property, including signs of infestation such as droppings, damage, or nesting.
2. Entry Points: The inspector will look for any entry points that pests may be using to gain access to your business, such as cracks in walls or doors, damaged windows, or ventilation systems.
3. Breeding Areas: The inspector will search for any areas that could be potential breeding grounds for pests, such as standing water, garbage or recycling areas, or food storage areas.
4. Treatment Recommendations: After the inspection, the inspector will provide you with recommendations for treatment options to address any pest problems detected during the inspection.

How Often Should Inspections Be Conducted?

The frequency of commercial pest control inspections will depend on several factors, including the type of business you operate, the industry regulations in place, and the risk of pest infestation. In general, it is recommended that businesses have inspections at least once a month.

Businesses in industries such as food service or healthcare may require more frequent inspections due to the higher risk of pest infestation. It’s important to work with a trusted pest control provider to determine the appropriate frequency of inspections for your business.

Protect Your Business with Regular Inspections

Regular inspections for commercial pest control are crucial for maintaining a safe and healthy environment for your employees and customers. Early detection and prevention of pest infestations can save you time and money in the long run, and help protect your business’s reputation. By working with a trusted pest control provider and staying on top of inspections, you can ensure compliance with industry regulations and avoid any potential fines or penalties.

If you’re in need of commercial pest control services, contact HonorGuard Pest today to schedule an inspection and learn more about our comprehensive pest control solutions.

Winter Pest Control

Mice and rats remain active during winter, but as it is cold outdoors they move inside and build nests in walls and roof space where they can spend a few months, often breeding. In Tennessee, there are several commonly found spiders including Wolf Spider, Brown Recluse Spider, and Black Widow Spider. A bite from the last two can be fatal as they are extremely venomous. Sometimes spiders are found inside your home, and it is a good idea to get rid of them.

Rats and Mice will usually come inside the house before the first cold days of winter, and start building their nests in a cavity, mice only need a small space, and rats are more likely to climb to the roof space where they have more opportunity to nest. The first sign of rats and mice is often scrapping or scratching at night, as they come and go to feed, alternatively, there may be mouse droppings in the kitchen.

1. Rats and Mice Carry Disease

Both rats and mice carry infectious diseases including Salmonella and Tularemia. A bite from a rat can cause Rat Bite Fever, and in the past, they were responsible for causing Bubonic Plague.

2. Mice Can Cause Cancer in Humans

This is emerging research that can’t be ignored even though it is horrible. Some mice carry a virus that may cause breast cancer. Called the Mouse Mammary Tumour Virus, which is highly transmissible to humans.

3. Vermin Damage Your Home

Rats and mice are highly destructive and can even chew through electrical wiring, and if left unchecked can gradually destroy an unoccupied house.

4. Spiders and Ladybugs

Spiders will come indoors in cold wet weather, and you don’t want venomous spiders in your house. Usually, spiders don’t remain indoors as they like to be outside. However, spiders are more likely to stay indoors during the winter. Asian ladybugs were introduced to the USA for aphid control but turned out to be aggressive insects. They will invade your house in the cold weather and hide in fabrics and walls. They release a nasty-smelling liquid and bite as well.

5. Spiders are Attracted by Warmth and Light

Keep leaf litter and junk away from your house, and if you have a woodpile, the spiders will probably live in there.

This is hard to do, but try to seal off all entrances to your home, including mesh screens within your vents.

Regular Pest Inspections

Pests are active all the year, but it is only when they enter our home that we really notice them. It may be as simple as cockroaches in warmer climates, or scuttling rats and mice. Any of these creatures have to be eliminated. There are now many nontoxic pesticides to completely get rid of spiders. If you have small children the use of pesticides is a concern, and the type of spray used will be discussed with you first.

When you have your twice-yearly pest inspection, it enables our experts to eliminate opportunities for pests to enter your home, and after a while, you won’t see a pest in your house.

Conclusion

As we have seen, pests are active all year-round and not just in winter, pest control should prevail. Spiders and ladybugs become more active during Spring and Summer, and may even enter your house at any time given the opportunity. So it is best to always be vigilant, and don’t let them in. Contact Honor Guard Pest Control today to keep spiders, ladybugs, mice, and rats out of your home during winter!

Autumn is the time when practically everything within the environment starts to change. The leaves begin to turn shades of yellow and orange, the wind cools, and certain critters prefer to be warm during this time. This really is the season which will get you ready for the next colder months. Despite the fact that the autumn brings along chilly wind, bugs seem unconcerned. Anyone will come across vermin throughout the fall, and you’ll need to know their tricks!

What You Are Up Against

There are a multitude of critters and pests you can encounter during the Fall season. These may vary depending on where you live but most common pests include cockroaches, mice, stink bugs, rats, and spiders. While the smaller insects like spiders and stink bugs aren’t the worst, they can quickly multiply and take over a certain area in your home without you being aware. Small rodents like mice and rats can carry diseases, ticks, and fleas, which you don’t want spreading to you or your pets. They will also find their way into your food, leaving it inedible and your pantry covered in droppings. Don’t worry though, there are plenty of ways to get ahead of those little creatures before they even make it into your home.

Block Their Entry

Cold weather pests are notorious for finding even the tiniest of gaps to squeeze through. Be sure that all of your windows, doors, and sliding glass doors have a rubber weather tight seal around the borders. This will not only keep pests out, but will also keep your house warmer. Along with those preparations, a simple way to prevent unwanted guests is to close all of your windows and doors when they aren’t in use. The garage is always a common place to come across mice, and many insects. Ensure that all the cracks and spaces are filled in and blocked off as well. 

Properly Storing Food

Food being stored poorly is one of the main reasons homeowners experience infestations of unwanted critters. Make sure that all food is sealed tightly and put away in a cupboard or pantry. Leaving fruits and bread out on the counter or center island is just asking for a trail of ants or a few mice to invite themselves in for a quick bite. It is also a good practice to check under your furniture and behind major appliances for any food that may have slipped out of your hand and fallen behind or under something. While leaving food out in the open where pests can clearly be seen is bad, having them feasting out of your sight is even worse when and if you realize they are there. Lastly, ensure that all the food being thrown into the trash can has a closed-top. This way, the scent of food won’t linger around your home, drawing those pests inside to see what’s on the menu. 

Stop Those Leaks

Excess moisture in your house can also lead to a swarm of bugs and mice. It is always a good idea to make note of any leaks in your plumbing. This could mean your sinks, toilet, shower, refrigerator, and especially your wash and dryer. Most common dryers vent to the outside, and if you have leaks and moisture near them, it can draw in all those vermin you’re trying to prevent. Patch up those leaks and make sure all the fittings are tightened. 

Don’t Panic

It’s common to get frightened by this information, but don’t panic!. Now is the perfect time to begin making steps towards keeping your house rid of all those creatures during autumn. Make sure you keep on the lookout for circumstances that might invite them inside.