Why it’s time to hire a pest inspector for your Sydney office
Pest infestation is just as much a problem in the office as it is in the home. Pests include undesirable animals, plants or other organisms that intrude on human activities. They can be a great nuisance and could cause distress to those who work in the office if not immediately eradicated. Pests can also cause significant damage to buildings and furniture, and fixtures. Therefore, professional pest control is necessary if there are signs of office pest infestation.
What pests are commonly found in office spaces?
Most pests that infect the home also affect workplaces. Here are some of them:
Cockroaches
These insects thrive in office spaces, especially in the pantry or areas where there is food. They transport pathogenic microbes like viruses, which can cause food poisoning and diseases like gastroenteritis and hepatitis. These insects can also trigger allergic reactions and asthma.
For example, cockroaches eat virtually anything, including paper, fabric, and leather. In addition, they are generally nocturnal. Because of this, a sighting of cockroaches during the day means there is a larger population of these pests lurking in hidden areas of the office.
Rodents
These pests are known to spread many diseases around the world. They have populated every continent in the world except Antarctica. Rodents can cause serious damage in the workplace when because they gnaw through different materials, including stored files and electrical wires. When electrical wires are damaged, it can lead to fire incidents. Rodents can also destroy food supplies through their excrement.
Mosquitoes
Mosquito bites cause itchy skin swellings and irritations. They are known to cause malaria and yellow fever, which have plagued human civilisations for thousands of years.
One or two mosquitoes may not pose much risk to employees, but once they swarm in large numbers, they are considered a nuisance that must be quickly addressed to prevent mosquito-related illnesses and diseases.
Termites
These pests cause property damage. There are approximately 20 species of termites that cause damage to buildings in Australia. Termites feed on wood, paper, cardboard, and fibreboard. Some termites can even penetrate electric cables, whether made of lead or plastic, thus causing electrical system failure.
Termites live in colonies. Often, the presence of termites in structures is unnoticeable until people see a swarm of termites or when they are discovered during inspection.
Why is there a need to Address Office Pest Infestation?
It is best to deal with pest problems before the problem gets worse; that is, before they make the office their breeding ground and permanent home. Once this happens, getting rid of pests becomes more complex. Stopping them or completely eradicating them becomes more time-consuming and costly.
If you aren’t too convinced, below are some reasons for immediately addressing the presence of pests in the workplace:
- To prevent illness and diseases
By their nature, pests are harmful and cause diseases to humans and other animals. Some also serve as vectors, meaning even if they do not directly cause diseases, they transmit diseases to humans, like mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks. Cockroaches have been shown to carry Salmonella and viruses that cause amoebiasis and polio. Direct contact with infected rodents causes leptospirosis and rat-bite fever, among others. Prevent the spread of diseases by dealing with pest problems as soon as possible.
- To boost productivity
Employees will have difficulty doing their jobs if the workplace is plagued with rodents, cockroaches, and other pests. By ensuring that the office is a free from pests, employees can work properly and effectively without distractions and worry.
- To make clients and visitors comfortable
Clean and organised office space is a source of comfort for clients and visitors alike. On the other hand, a workplace full of clutter becomes an enticing environment for pests to grow and live. How will the office create a good impression on its clients if cockroaches appear every so often? Try to achieve a cluttered-free workspace so that it doesn’t become a breeding ground for pests.
- To avoid serious damage to the building
Termites are destructive pests. They favour wood as their food source. They can also cause damage to materials in the search for their food. Same with termites, rodents cause structural damage to buildings. This happens when they burrow through the ground and gnaw and chew everything that they find useful.
Rodents are excellent breeders, which means they quickly multiply under favourable conditions. Imagine what will happen to the office building if these pests are allowed to multiply. By quickly addressing the issue of pests, office spaces won’t need renovation or major reconstruction for many years to come.
- To prevent further infestation
The sooner the issue of pests is dealt with, the easier it is to prevent the growth of pests in the office. Unfortunately, pest problems are often not prioritised due to the many maintenance issues in the workplace. Remember that prompt action is required once signs of pests are seen in the workplace. If the problem is not immediately resolved, chances are the pests will multiply sooner than expected.
- To protect office reputation
Same with making clients feel safe and comfortable, an office that is free from pests is patronised by their clients. It builds the client’s trust. Most likely, people would always want to do business with the said office.
- To avoid accidents and other unforeseen pest-related problems
Accidents happen, and more so if there are rodent running around the office. To avoid pest-related accidents and lawsuits due to pests, better take care of the issue early on.
Let Vital Building Inspection help your office pest infestation problems in Sydney
Pests pose serious problems. The key to addressing office pest infestation is to become proactive. Before pests become a problem, take key steps to prevent them from making the office their habitat.
Regular cleaning and maintenance are proactive ways to deal with pests. Every employee desires a healthy and hygienic office environment. Even if there is no pest problem now, take measures to ensure that the workplace won’t have any pest problems in the future. As mentioned above, pests are harmful to health. They can damage building structures. It is best to prevent them from even stepping on office grounds by maintaining clean office spaces.
Have the office space inspected by professionals. Consult the services of professionals when it comes to pest infestation to properly detect the source of the problem. If the source cannot be eradicated, there is a bigger chance that the same problem will happen in the future, or much worse.
If you are considering hiring the services of professionals, do not hesitate to call Vital Building Inspection on 0401 012 074. We have helped hundreds of businesses in maintaining their office spaces free from pest infestations. If you suspect office pest infestation or want to have your office inspected, contact us and we will be happy to serve your needs.
