Pest Control for Your Building – What are the Key Considerations?

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23 September 2020

On-site pest control issues can have serious implications in the management of a building – so what are the key considerations when looking for solutions?

The toll of the COVID-19 pandemic is being felt across all areas of a facilities manager’s budget. But with hygiene and employee perception a top priority for businesses, pest control isn’t an area that workplace managers can afford to become complacent with. 

 

“Accreditations are expensive and time-consuming to achieve, but essential as they offer third party endorsement that the company you are dealing with takes everything from health and safety to training and the environment seriously.”

–Paul Bates

Managing Director, Cleankill

 

 

Are You Paying Too Much For Your Pest Control?

 

Larger, national brands don’t necessarily offer the best value or service, according to Cleankill Managing Director, Paul Bates:

“It’s well worth looking at regional pest control companies. They can offer better value and often more transparent, fair pricing. You will also get a more personal service.

“With shareholders wanting better returns, the larger companies can put a lot of pressure on their salespeople who then become focused on their targets rather than the problem they are trying to solve for the customer.”

 

Look for Hidden Costs

 

Bates advises that regional companies are usually large enough to afford to invest in good training, accreditations, but don’t have the huge overheads and marketing costs associated with national brands.

If you have a contract with a national company, Bates recommends careful examination of any hidden costs and extras that may be charged alongside the charges for regular site visits. “It is worth comparing the original contract with what you were actually charged,” he told ThisWeekinFM.

“Pricing should be completely transparent and there should be communication after every visit so you know what has been done and why. All of our technicians use iPads so instant reports can be sent to customers and there are no surprises,” he added.

 

Picture: A photograph of Paul Bates

 

Training and Accreditation

 

Accreditations and standards are also something that should be checked. The European Standard for Pest Control is EN 16636 Certification (CEPA Certified®), which is independently assessed by qualified and experienced auditors with an in-depth working knowledge of the industry. Audits validate practices to a clear professional standard to ensure activities are delivered safely, effectively and within European and national regulations.

Also critical is British Pest Control Association membership and accreditations including ISO9001, ISO14001, Altius Vendor Assessment, Safecontractor, Exor, Constructionline and Achilles Health and Safety schemes.

“Accreditations are expensive and time-consuming to achieve, but essential as they offer third party endorsement that the company you are dealing with takes everything from health and safety to training and the environment seriously,” Bates explained.

Accreditations also mean that a pest control contractor will help customers to comply with regulations such as:

• Prevention of Damage by Pests Act
• Health and Safety at Work Act
• Control of Pesticides Regulations
• Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations
• Food Safety Act
• Food Safety (General Food Hygiene) Regulations
• Animal Welfare Act

Bates recommends looking out for proof of CSR, such as Investors in People.

 

Public and Employers’ Liability Insurance

 

For a pest control service provider, insurance should include public liability insurance and employers’ liability -– both up to at least £10 million for a regional company. You may have technicians working on a busy logistics site, at height on a roof or in close proximity to machinery and even the best-trained teams have occasional accidents.

Picture: A photograph of an operative in full PPE

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 23 September 2020

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