Choosing a pest control contractor

How to choose a pest control contractor

This information is for all food businesses including those involved in food preparation and production, retail premises, catering, restaurants, pubs, cafes, and takeaway and fast-food shops.

What is pest management in pest control?

Pest management is the art and science behind identifying, dealing with potential risks from food pests before they turn into a major problem.

The best way to keep pests out is by preventing them from getting inside in the first place.

Pests can be a huge problem for any business, especially if they are not caught in time. Throwing away valuable stock because pests have caused damage is both financially and environmentally damaging to the company’s bottom line as well as customer experience

The impact on your reputation from having customers worried about when their next purchase might arrive could lead them running back out into the arms of another retailer who takes care more closely with quality products or services afforded by pest control measures taken before things got so bad. Managing pest control is part of good business practice

Pest contractors

You may need to contract an outside company to help you deal with pests.

A pest control company can help keep your premises pest-free, but they are not a substitute for you. A contract is essential in deterring and preventing infestation of any kind; it will also provide proof if an inspection by authorities determines that all possible measures were taken to protect food from contamination – even legal due diligence!

Luckily, a good pest controller is not just someone who turns up to put traps and poison down. They should inspect your home for pests before they start their work-of course! You can also monitor conditions yourself if you want by following the advice that these professionals give during inspection or monitoring sessions; highlights any problems with advise on how best prevent future infestations from happening again in this manner plus suggests improvements where necessary

In-house pest control management

The only way that a pest controller can do their job is with the help of ‘in-house controls’. These are legal requirements for any business, and without them there’s no effective management at all – not even if you hire an external contractor!

Cleaning and disinfection

Make sure you’ve got a cleaning schedule for your premises and equipment. Areas that do not get cleaned regularly will provide ideal places where pests can ‘hide’.

Managing waste

Do not store waste indoors. Store it away from the building, in bins with lids.

Make sure that the bin area is kept clear of rubbish and clean the area regularly.

Have the rubbish and recycling collected often enough so that the bins do not overflow.

Training staff

Staff need to play their part in pest-control management. They should report not only any signs of infestation but also any situation that may lead to infestation.

They will need to be trained in how to spot signs of pest damage and infestation.

Storing food safely

You must store food and non-food products (such as crockery equipment and packaging ) off the floor, and away from the walls where possible. Where food packaging is opened, the contents should be stored in clean, lidded containers. This will ensure that the food does not attract pests and is protected from contamination.

Keep stock rotated, making sure you follow the FIFO (first in first out) rule for storing food and non-food products.

Maintaining buildings outside and inside

This is the best form of pest prevention. Make sure that there are no gaps under doors or through the structure – especially where pipes and services enter the building.

Some food businesses may choose to keep their pest control in-house. This can be an advantage because staff may be more familiar with the layout of the premises and could respond quickly to any problem. However, in-house pest control management should include the same training, and have access to the same facilities, as an outside company.

Choosing a pest control contractor

When choosing a pest control company, you should get clear quotes for their services. Although this may seem like the easiest way to go about things and compare prices on different companies’ websites or over phone calls with sales representatives from various providers in order to find one that best suits both your budget as well as needs- don’t forget about how efficiently these professionals do their job at reducing pests around our homes while also providing high value!

You may prefer to talk with a representative before committing yourself. This way, you can ask them about their services and rates for different types of work or jobs in order to find the perfect fit!

It is very important that a company that works on your premises is able to show that they have suitable insurance to cover them.

Pests are no longer welcome in a garage or garden centre, but a restaurant business needs to take extra care when it comes to deciding how to deal with a pest problem. The pest control company you choose should be experienced in providing services to food businesses. They should also show that they have a ‘complete’ approach to pest control by giving you advice on how to prevent infestation rather than just dealing with the results.

Pest-control services

Some pest-control companies may offer a service that covers only a limited range of pests, for example rats or flying insects.

Any quote they give you should clearly set out how often they will visit your premises and how quickly they can get to you if you have a pest infestation.

Some companies may also be able to offer services such as supplying and fitting fly screens to windows and doors and electronic fly killers. They will also be able to arrange a maintenance service for the equipment they provide.

Ask to see references from their existing customers so you can confirm which services they provide and how well they carry them out.

Staff at pest control companies

As with most businesses, the services pest control companies offer will only be as good as the staff carrying out the work.

Their staff should be trained not only to identify pest infestation but to work safely and carefully in food businesses. They should be trained to work to health and safety regulations, particularly COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health). The methods and chemicals they use should fall within the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1997.

Check that the company belongs to a national organisation. Find out whether the company employs staff who have a certificate of proficiency from a recognised organisation such as the British Pest Control Association or the National Pest Technicians Association.

Inspection reports

Following each inspection, the company should report back to you giving details of any action they have taken, the chemicals they have used and where they have used them.

Keep these reports on file as they will help identify any trends in pest problems and provide a visiting environmental health officer with evidence of any action you have taken.

More information

You will find further guidance, more information can also be found on the Food Standards Agency website.

Alternatively, contact your local environmental health service for advice. pest control contractor