There are various pests that pose a threat to businesses in the UK. As well as damaging property and ruining stock, products and anything else related to a company, pests can also do a good deal of harm to its reputation. Why would anyone want to eat in that nice little Italian restaurant in London, if it was recently discovered they had a cockroach problem? Why would anyone visit a guest house, B&B or hotel if the premises were known to have a prevailing bed bug infestation?
In the following post, we are going to discuss the common UK pests that present the biggest threat to commercial properties. We will also look at the kind of problems, dangers and damage they can cause. We will explain why it’s so vital to deal with a pest problem quickly if you are a business owner.
Bed Bugs – Common Pests in Hospitality
Bed bugs may not be something people think of as being a problem for businesses. They pose no threat to the catering, restaurant, customer service or food manufacturing industry. But, there is one sector in which they can be especially damaging. That is in the hospitality industry. And most specifically, in hotels, guest houses, B&Bs and any other type of accommodation. There is a serious epidemic right now involving bed bugs. It’s likely you’ve heard about it in the news.
Bed bugs are a problem because they bite. Their bites irritate your skin and they can spread throughout an establishment like wildfire. The reason they are such a common pest within the hospitality industry is that there is a constant stream of people coming and going. They can really damage the reputation of a hotel or other type of holiday accommodation.
These insects are extremely resilient and hard to get rid of. Commercial companies and property owners are advised to avail themselves of professional help to get rid of them. Trying store-bought and DIY treatments won’t produce the lasting results a business needs to reassure their customers and clients they are free from the issue.
Rats and Rodents -Big in London
There is no debate, the most common pests in London are rodents, luckily for London businesses pest control is handled by experts such as Empire . Rats are not only disgusting and off putting to customers and business clients, they pose some serious public health risks too.
As you probably know, rats can be carriers of some potentially lethal – and at the very least unpleasant – diseases. If they can gain access to the food and water supplies of a business property, there is a real risk of contamination and the spread of illness throughout that workforce. Not to mention members of the public visiting the building. Further to that, as they are avid and habitual biters and chewers, they can cause damage to the property structure itself.
Even though they are very small, rodents’ teeth are very robust. They are able to chew through just about anything – from concrete and wood, to electrical cabling and pipework. This could result in the need for costly repairs on a business premises. So, dealing with rodents quickly is not only about saving face and maintaining a good reputation with your customers and clients. If a company wants to keep their outgoings to a minimum and remain in profit, it’s best to deal with the problem of rats and mice as soon as possible.
Cockroaches – Pose a Health Risk
Cockroaches are another unpleasant pest. They can send shivers down people’s spines just thinking about them. Some people even flinch when they read the word. Further to the disgust they elicit though, they are a serious threat to businesses. Not only do they carry salmonella and can contaminate water and food sources, they are also very resistant to treatments.
It’s in the best interests of a business, after even a single sighting of one cockroach, to act as quickly as possible. Any surface cockroaches walk on are, to a greater or lesser extent, already contaminated. Many people may not choose to act quickly if they spot just one of these insects. The problem is though, that if you’ve seen one cockroach, there will be many others. These are hiding and waiting until the coast is clear to emerge under cover of darkness.
With any of the common pests mentioned above, it is best for a business, company or commercial property owner to deal with infestations as soon as possible. Although it will involve some financial outlay, paying for professional pest removal is a wise investment. Better than the false economy of allowing pest infestations to mushroom and do untold amounts of damage to your reputation, property and products.
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