While the fall season is all about football, plaid, and pumpkin spice here in the South, for many pests, fall signals a need to find a warm place to spend the winter. Our Commercial Pest Professionals want to remind business owners of the importance that fall pest-proofing can play in keeping pests from making their home your office!

Common Fall Invaders

The most common fall invaders you could see in your business are rodents, spiders, and cockroaches. Rodents, including mice and rats, and cockroaches are both capable of spreading germs, bacteria, and diseases that can cause customers and team members to become ill. Also, spiders are capable of causing a major scare, especially if they are venomous like the Black Widow or Brown Recluse.

Cockroach

Since cockroaches are nocturnal, you probably won’t notice their increased presence this fall until they’ve established a large infestation. German cockroaches can be vectors for harmful bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella, and they can also trigger allergies in some people. They often seek shelter and breed in and around natural materials found in most commercial environments, such as wood and cardboard.

For more about how cockroaches can affect your business, check out this article.

Rodents

Like cockroaches, rodents also can carry pathogens that cause disease. They can also leave by unsanitary droppings that can contaminate products and equipment, but more importantly, can threaten the health of workers, customers, and visitors. Mice and rats will eat just about anything, so it’s no surprise they can gnaw on structures, wiring, merchandise, and food–even if it is stored!

For signs that you might need rodent control, check out this article.

Spiders

Arachnophobia is one of the most common and widely known phobias to this day. Not everybody likes these 8 legged pests, especially the venomous ones! A common one this fall can very well be the venomous brown recluse spider. Known for their secretive behaviors, brown recluses are less reclusive during the fall. Often seeking out shelter and food during the cold months. If bitten by one, bites can take three hours to develop and up to three weeks or longer to heal!

For more information on brown recluse spiders, check out this article.

Fall Pest Prevention Tips

Since the biggest issue with fall invaders is that they are looking for a winter rental, it is important to combat the issue early on in the fall season. Our Commercial Service Professionals recommend these tips to help.

• Seal any cracks in the foundation, doors, and windows (even rodents can enter the tiniest of cracks).
• Repair any window screens that could be damaged.
• Store all open food in airtight containers, glass or hard plastic preferred (roaches and rodents can chew through most soft items).
• Take the trash out regularly.
• Keep shrubs and bushes near your building trimmed back.
• Remove commercial trash, like cardboard boxes, if there is no use for them.

All of these tips can contribute to a pest-free work environment this fall, but the best solution is proper, trusted pest control. If you have an issue you aren’t sure you can maintain, contact us today at 866.WAYNES1!  A trusted Waynes service professional has all the training to ensure a pest-free fall!