Facility Management Article

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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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American School & Hospital Facility magazine and FacilityManagement.com are educational tools that teach institutional facilities professionals and the building team to operate, maintain and design structures efficiently, economically, safely, securely and green. The editorial mission is to report on the topics, issues, trends and products that impact facilities management.