A clean & healthy office isn’t only dirt and dust-free—it must also be free of nasty pests that can cause serious health conditions. But unfortunately, office buildings are usually a difficult environment to manage. Older buildings have multiple entry points for pests, while modern offices with open layouts can also be susceptible to nasty critters. That’s not to mention onsite canteens, office pantries and office desks with snacks that continually attract nasty critters in search of food and shelter.

Still, as an office or property manager, you have to take safety measures to keep your office pest-free and healthy. Here are some tips to help you perform this task.

Declutter regularly.

Rodents and cockroaches love to seek shelter in clutter. Those cardboard boxes in the storage area from last week’s party or previous Halloween decorations are perfect examples. Rodents can eat the cardboard, while cockroaches can feed off the glue that holds the boxes together. So make sure to have regular decluttering in the office, including the storage areas. Also, ask the employees to declutter their desks or workstations to get rid of snacks, boxes or any mess that attracts pests.

Limit the food sources.

Nasty critters only need a small amount of food to survive. So one way to keep your office pest-free is to regularly clean the kitchen, break room, desks and drawers regularly. Be sure your maintenance team cleans hard-to-reach spaces, too. There could be spilt food and drinks that may go unnoticed and attract pests later on. 

After a holiday break or the office is left vacant for a long time, check the food packages in the kitchen or office pantry thoroughly. Inspect for holes in the packaging and discard any open food left sitting in the cupboard. 

Also, be wary of other signs of pest infestations, including droppings, food trails and musty odours. Don’t hesitate to call pest control if you notice these signs. 

Ensure proper garbage disposal.

Rodents, cockroaches, ants and other critters view garbage as a feast. It’s a no-no to leave your office trash inside the building for extended periods. Make sure your maintenance staff empties the trash bins in the pantry & bathroom daily. Don’t forget the receptacles around the office desks, where employees throw papers, tissues and food packs after having breakfast or lunch on their desks.

In addition, clean the bottoms of trash bins & receptacles regularly. That way, you can prevent debris build-up that pests can feed off when everyone is out. 

Check the building’s exterior.

If your office rents a floor or space in a huge building, it may be hard to have complete control over the cleanliness of the entire building. Still, you need to check the building’s exterior and collaborate with the building management to look for unscreened vents, ripped screens and gaps around doors and windows. 

These gaps, cracks and holes can serve as entry points for pests. Cockroaches, flies, ants and other small pests can enter right through, while larger pests have a bone structure that allows them to squeeze through tight spaces like ripped door screens. If you notice these gaps, holes and cracks, ask the building management to seal them properly. That way, the pests’ access to the facility will be greatly reduced. 

Apart from cracks, holes and gaps, watch out for standing water. Pooled water in the building exterior or hidden spaces inside can attract all kinds of pests. That’s because even small amounts of water can sustain pests for a long time. 

Final words

Remember that pests only need three things to survive: food, water and shelter. An office space where people work & eat and that’s left vacant during the night is the perfect area for pests to thrive. So it takes extra effort to keep your office pest-free.