The mere thought of pests is enough to send shivers down the spine of most people, but for those in the hospitality industry it is something that must be managed carefully on a daily basis.
Without the correct control methods in place, a pest problem will quickly escalate out of control and there are incredibly strict legal regulations around the control of pests in any area where food is being prepared.
In this article we will look at what pest control is and three of the most effective control methods that a professional company such as Harvey Environmental may use to protect restaurants, hotels, and other hospitality sectors.
What is Pest Control?
Pests pose a serious risk to human health by spreading disease and damaging property. Pest Control are the methods used to minimise this rick, and pest technicians are the ones responsible for implementing these methods.
No two pest problems are the same so it takes fast thinking, expert knowledge of pest behaviour, and an array of different pest control methods to be able to tackle them effectively.
As a business, you should leave this key role to the professionals, giving you peace of mind that everything is under control and letting you crack on with building your business.
3 Common Types of Pest Control
Physical Pest Control
When you think of traditional pest control, physical control methods are almost certainly the first thing that comes to mind. Traps, nest destruction, shooting, and installing physical barriers to prevent pests accessing the property all fall into this category.
There are no insecticides or other chemicals involved in this form of pest control which means it is considered environmentally responsible and provides immediate tangible results.
On the downside, if there is a large pest infestation present, insecticide may well be needed to tackle the entire population as trapping hundreds of insects or rodents is unrealistic.
Chemical Pest Control
The most common form of pest control in the UK and almost certainly the most effective. Pesticides, when used responsibly, are the backbone of the professional pest control industry and can be used to remove large infestations of a certain species. Whether they are applied using bait boxes, fogging, or in any other way, pesticide use should be reserved solely for trained professionals and using chemicals on your own property without supervision is not advised.
The only real downside of chemical pest control is that the area affected often needs to be left alone for a certain period of time to avoid harming humans.
Biological Pest Control
Biological pest control is not a method often used in the hospitality sector but can sometimes be used in agricultural settings. It basically involves introducing a predator to the area to ward off any pests or kill those that remain.
Falconry is a good example of a predator being used to tackle pest bird infestations whilst farmers will often use dogs such as terriers to keep rats under control.