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PEST MANAGEMENT
Why Institutions Still Need These Services in an Economic
Downturn Although
current economic conditions may lull decision-makers into
viewing pest management services as "expendable" for
cost-saving measures, facility managers for specialized
properties such as schools and hospitals must be well versed
in the threats posed by pests and rodents as well as be
fully prepared to articulate the importance of pest
prevention and control in the overall maintenance of
properties. Within the current economy, schools and
hospitals are challenged to continually find areas to "save"
money and as such, ancillary expenditures – such as pest
control – emerge as likely candidates for budgetary
reductions, and even elimination. Arguments such as these
will continue to be made at budget meetings across the
nation in 2010:
• "What is one mouse? All properties
struggle with one or two mice, right?"
• "There is no way we could have termites."
• "What is the worst that can happen? A wasp’s nest?"
• "If we can keep the kitchen and cafeterias clean enough,
we should be just fine."
Continuing an investment in maintaining a professional
pest management
program can prove to be far more cost-efficient in the
long-term.
At first, these may seem like rational and legitimate
arguments, especially when considering a yearly budget. For
many, pests and rodents are viewed as simply a "nuisance" –
something to be dealt with seasonally. However, when
reflecting upon your own experience and your past work with
professional pest management services, facility managers
well know that pests and rodents can pose serious health
threats and risks for property damage. Consider these
thought-provoking statistics:
• Rodents bring other pests, such as fleas, mites and ticks
indoors, which can quickly spread throughout commercial
properties. More, rodents can contaminate food sources with
their feces that can spread food borne illnesses such as
Salmonella. Rodents can also spread deadly Hantavirus.
• According to the National Pest Management Association (NPMA),
termites cause $5 billion in property damage every year and
can exist in colonies that number up to 2 million members.
• According to the NPMA, stinging insects send more than a
half million people to the emergency room every year.
• Recent medical studies have shown that cockroaches not
only carry bacteria on their bodies but also, cause
allergens that can trigger asthma attacks.
Such statistics can certainly help to refute any arguments
for reducing and/or cutting pest management services. Pest
prevention and management cannot be viewed as unrelated to
the overall safety and cleanliness of a property. Rather, it
must be viewed as critical to achieving such. Just as
sanitation services in schools and hospitals cannot be
scaled back due to economic pressure, neither can pest
management services.
Further, school and hospital facility managers face unique
challenges when implementing pest
management programs. Challenges that do not cease during
difficult economic times, and in many respects, may even be
compounded as people rely on the public sector for greater
assistance. Thus, support structures must not only be in
place but strengthened, as there is a shared responsibility
to protect the well-being of more sensitive populations.
Populations that include students and patients. This
protection cannot be limited and it must account for the
serious health threats posed by the presence of pests. Yet,
to do this properly often requires more specialized, focused
pest management plans. Plans that cannot be revised to a
bare minimum investment, even when a struggling economy
would seem to or has already necessitated such action.
At a time when decision-makers are
consistently asked to weigh the benefits and costs of
working with third party professional services, it is
critical to either develop and/or maintain a working
relationship with a pest professional who not only brings
expertise to a school or hospital but also has the best
interest of the facility in mind. When the top priority is
protecting the health and safety of the individuals
entrusted to your care as facility managers, the full
understanding of your facility’s specialized needs that a
pest management professional can bring may far outweigh any
associated costs from utilizing a third-party. And in the
long run, it may save valuable funds due to the proactive
preventative measures implemented by pest professionals in a
school or hospital.
The above addresses the importance of
maintaining pest management in a down economy. Yet, what if
your school or hospital has ceased its relationship with a
professional pest management firm in the interest of budget?
How do you find a professional and how do you know who to
trust, especially when making a financial investment as
budgets continue to tighten? By employing common sense and
exercising sound judgment, facility managers can ensure the
hiring of a trustworthy, efficient and expert pest
professional. A professional that will engage in a
partnership with you and will strive to meet the
ever-changing needs of your school or hospital in a
cost-efficient manner. The following recommendations can
assist you should you need to make this investment for your
school or hospital.
Evaluate Pest Management Firms
Typically, companies that actively participate in their
national, state or local association view pest management as
an important part of protecting public health and property.
Further, pest professionals who are active within
associations are proactively seeking ongoing education and
thus, are more prepared to utilize new technologies and
implement cutting-edge treatment techniques that can benefit
facilities with specialized needs and/or standards.
Ask Questions
It is always helpful to contact other local schools or
hospitals for recommendations of pest control companies they
have previously used. "Word of mouth" references are likely
honest evaluations and ones you will believe. When meeting a
prospective pest professional, discuss your concerns, even
budgetary concerns. You want to find a person with whom you
feel comfortable working and you need to know that the pest
management service you choose understands any constraints
that may be in place. Yet, regardless of the situation, do
not rush your decision. You are paying for professional
knowledge - hire a person whose judgment you can trust.
Buy Value, Not Price
If a sizable amount of money is involved, feel free to
solicit bids from several pest management firms. If a
guarantee is given to you, always know what it covers, how
long it lasts and what you must do to keep it in force. Keep
in mind that this is a health and safety decision - the
value of the service should outweigh all other factors.
Regardless of the economy, but always in
conjunction with a pest management professional, there are
many pest prevention tips that facility managers should
consider in their consistent attempts to thwart pest
infestations in schools and hospitals. Here are just a few
simple, straightforward and cost-effective pest prevention
measures to help keep pests and rodents outdoors:
• Clean high-volume areas such as
cafeterias daily where crumbs and trash are more
likely to build up; Dispose of garbage in clean,
sealed containers and regularly empty recycling
bins.
• Seal cracks and holes on the outside of the
building, including entry points for utilities and
pipes.
• Keep tree branches and shrubbery trimmed and away from
buildings.
• Replace worn weather-stripping around windows and doors
and repair loose mortar around the foundation.
• Do not overlook proper drainage; consider installing
gutters, which will channel water away from the building.
• Consider replacing mulch adjacent to the building with
crushed stone; mulch can provide a burrowing area for
rodents and other pests.
• Be sure that exterior lights are not located above or next
to doors as they serve as a beacon for unwanted pests.
• Be sure that employees do not prop doors open during a
shift or break in order to prevent unwanted pests and rodent
from entering.
• Fit any doors that must be open with air curtains or
screens.
• If you suspect an infestation, immediately contact a
licensed pest professional to inspect, identify and treat
the pest problem.
Ultimately, continuing an investment –
even when the economy poses certain constraints – in
maintaining a professional pest management program can prove
to be far more cost-efficient in the long-term. Further,
making a public commitment to pest prevention, even in the
face of an economic downturn, can demonstrate to students,
patients and staff that their health and safety is of the
utmost importance to you as a facility manager for a
specialized property. And in any economy, the peace of mind
such proactive facility management offers is often
priceless.
Missy Henriksen is the vice president of public affairs
for the National Pest Management Association. For more
information on pest prevention and treatment, please visit
www.pestworld.org
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