The fall season ushers in the beauty of fall foliage and cooler temperatures. Commercial businesses begin gearing up for a huge boost in retail sales as they prepare to close out the year with a successful increase in revenue. However, not all fall activity is embraced with positive expectations and one of those activities is the arrival of fall pests.
It is no secret that the reputation of all commercial establishments is of paramount importance to business owners. Seasonal changes bring a variety of challenges and the fall season is no exception. Among those challenges are pests commonly referred to as fall invaders.
While there is an abundance of fall invaders, they can be grouped into two categories: ground invaders and air invaders. The ground fall pest invaders include crickets, rodents, cockroaches, spiders, ants, centipedes, millipedes and ground beetles. The second category is air invaders and includes fruit flies, boxelder bugs, miller moths, house flies, and cluster flies. Each of these categories must be managed with cleanliness and the elimination of all points of entry.
The invasion of any of these fall pests brings costly complications to business owners. Many of these pests are much more than simple nuisances. They contribute to the spreading of diseases and cause contamination to products. They have also been known to destroy reputations as customers see rodents and cockroaches scurrying around inside stores and restaurants. Additionally, the eradication of such pests can be very time consuming and costly.
Consider the following fall pest prevention tips:
- Thoroughly inspect the outer perimeter of all buildings and remove any debris that could provide attractive hiding places for pests.
- Examine all windows, doors and foundations for any cracks, keeping in mind that pests can gain access through the smallest of openings. Seal and caulk all cracks and repair or replace all damaged screens and windows.
- Eliminate clutter in storage rooms and basements. Keep trash removed regularly.
- Store all food products in sealed, pest proof containers.
- Regularly and thoroughly clean even the hard to reach places, ensuring all areas to be crumb free.
- Perform weekly inspections, looking for any sign of fall invader activity.
Remember that all fall invaders are searching for warm housing, food and water. Eliminating potential nests, food and water sources will reduce the population of pests, making total eradication much easier and more manageable. For more information on commercial pest management services for your business, click here to find a Copesan partner near you.