More than being an annoyance, rat infestation has far-reaching and severe threats to businesses. A recent report from CNA, shows the growth of these pests and how they are damaging several things, from health and property to reputation and finances! Once these pests enter your property, they can wreak havoc on your thriving business in various ways. Read along to understand how a rat infestation can bring down your commercial activities and steps you can take towards rodent control.
Businesses Prone to Rat Infestation
Several businesses persistently face the looming threat of rat infestation due to their operational characteristics and work environments. For instance, hotels, restaurants, and similar hospitality establishments are susceptible to rat attacks! Food scraps are easily available on such sites and there are enough unchecked entry points for them. They pose a risk of contamination and cause damage to packed materials and equipment in the kitchen.
Similarly, warehouses, supermarkets, and grocery stores that stock bulk items are at significant risk due to the abundance of edibles with fewer secure storage facilities. Another vulnerable sector is poorly maintained industrial facilities and factories. They can become a rat nesting site, as these pests thrive in stored and sheltered goods offering a continuous food supply.
Additionally, real estate management firms or property care providers dealing with commercial or residential buildings can be prone to rat attacks if their properties lack maintenance or sanitation.
The Impact of Rat Infestation on Businesses
Rats can increase sanitation costs, disrupt commercial operations, and eat away at consumer trust! Let us take a look at the profound impact of rat infestation on businesses:
Health risks:- In a report published by the Singapore Ministry of Health, rats have been found to carry diseases like leptospirosis and Lassa fever (acute haemorrhagic fever). It can also cause allergies and severe asthma attacks among your customers or employees if exposed to rat droppings or urine.
Property damage:- Rats can nibble through materials including wires, plastic, and wood. These might lead you to make costly repairs and even increase the chances of fire hazards. Additionally, there is a risk of contamination of equipment and work areas, which may lead to expensive clean-ups.
Financial losses:- Health risks, property damage, and contamination are all avenues that may lead your business to suffer heavy financial losses. The cost of repairs, replacement of contaminated material, and your employees’ loss on work days are all operational expenses that you may have to bear if you don’t resort to efficient rodent control. However, the most serious financial loss from rat infestation is loss of trust and reputation.
Disrupted operations:- Pest control in Singapore is monitored by the government. Any non-compliance to the directives of rodent control may lead to costly fines and even the risk of your business shutdown! Also, the infestation disrupts your business as it may lead to stress and discomfort among employees, leading to the creation of a less efficient workplace.
How to control Rat Infestation
Rodent control requires effective monitoring, prevention, and removal strategies. If the rat problem persists you must seek professional pest control services to curb the infestation. Below are a few tips to secure your business against these pests:
- Conduct routine inspections: Inspect the place of your business and keep an eye on marks, signs of gnawing, and droppings. You can also get it scanned by a professional routinely. They are skilled in identifying the entry points and looking for indications of rat infestation.
- Seal the entry points: Seal the gaps, and fissures in walls, and floors. Take special care of gaps in doors and windows, and cover them with steel and metal sheathing. Constantly maintain these entry spots of rodents.
- Maintain optimum sanitisation: Work towards maintaining a high level of sanitation. Care should be taken in the areas where food is stored or prepared. Ensure that your staff efficiently handles food waste and spills.
- Use baits: Rat baits can help you overcome the initial stages of infestations. Ensure that you choose strategic positions for setting up traps. Concentrate on their nesting regions.
- Professional rat exterminators: When the infestation gets worse, only professional rat pest control can help you. With the advanced tools and techniques, they eliminate pests and ensure long-term solutions without their re-occurrence.
Conclusion
A rat infestation has severe consequences for your business, including health risks, damage to property, financial losses, and operational disruption. However, with our above-mentioned tips, you can efficiently exercise rodent control. If you need the help of a professional, we suggest you try our services. ORIGIN is equipped with the latest and best techniques to keep all pests from your premises.
Get in touch with us to know more about our services for rodent control to help maintain an uninterrupted business operation.
