Office
No one wants to find pests in the office. They can spread diseases, cause distress and lead to lower staff morale. BASF solutions for pest control are an effective and cost-effective way for pest control professionals to protect your staff and your image.
Usual issues
Staff welfare
The people who work for you are unlikely to accept the unsanitary conditions that result from a pest infestation. They expect that their employer will provide a safe and hygienic workplace, free of rodents and insects (unless you work in a pet shop).
First impressions matter
A first-time visitor who spots a rat in the car park or is bothered by flies in the reception area is unlikely to have formed a favourable impression of your business. After all, they might reason that if you can’t get basic maintenance right, you might not be the right partner for them.
Impact / risks
Health risk
Offices are attractive to pests, chiefly due to the availability of food and places where they can shelter. Hot spots include the dining area and rest rooms, but also workstations and office bins, where staff may eat lunch or snacks.
Cockroaches, ants and flies are notorious scavengers of food and waste, as are rodents. And they are expert at accessing food, even if it is kept in a drawer or cupboard. Unfortunately, they also spread unpleasant diseases, including dysentery and salmonella.
Some pests, such as cockroaches and bed bugs, are very good at travelling and staff may take them home with them, in briefcases, bags and clothing. Infestation works both ways: pests may be introduced into the office by a co-worker who has picked some of these unwelcome visitors in another environment.
Costly damage and disruption
Few businesses are safe from pest infestations, even in well maintained buildings. Rats and mice are adept at entering into offices, for instance, as they can squeeze into tiny holes. In addition to being carriers of diseases, pests can cause significant damage to the fabric of the building.
Rodents represent a particular threat in that regard, as their incisors grow continuously and need to be ground down constantly. Unless they are controlled, there is no stopping them from gnawing on a wide range of materials. They are capable of stripping the insulation from electrical cables, potentially causing the failure of computers and other office equipment, or even starting a fire.
In the case of severe insect infestations, the application of an insecticide may require staff to vacate the premises temporarily, causing disruption to work.
Duty of care and litigation risk
Employers owe their staff a duty of care and more specifically, they need to protect them against work-related accidents or diseases. In the EU and in the UK, offices need to meet the minimum safety and health requirements for the workplace (Council Directive 89/654/EEC).
If business owners fail to provide hygienic premises, free of harmful pests, they also incur the risk of litigation costs, where a staff member makes the case their workplace breached health and safety legislation.
Benefits to use BASF products
For pest controllers using BASF treatment solutions, this represents the reassurance to facilities managers that, this time, the infestation of rats has been dealt with comprehensively. “Do-it-yourself” solutions are rarely long-lasting and products applied by professionals give better value for money to their customers.
For facilities managers, professional help from a pest controller means that cleaning staff can concentrate on keeping overall hygiene standards high, safe in the knowledge that experts are tackling all pest-related issues.
For business owners, pest control isn’t just about keeping maintenance costs down or avoiding litigation. It’s about looking after your staff and making your office a pleasant, welcoming place for them and for visitors.
