Time For A Pest Management Strategy As Pests Head Back To The Office

A rat By Paul Blackhurst, Technical Academy Head at Rentokil Pest Control.

After nearly two years of working from home for large periods of time, many UK office workers have returned to their corporate working environments in one way or another. With this increase in footfall through office buildings, facilities management professionals are having to ramp up their pest control measures in order to prevent pests from making an unwelcome return.

Recent data from Rentokil Pest Control highlights the growing problem for UK businesses. When comparing the number of commercial enquiries received from businesses looking to deal with rats, mice and other rodents during the lockdowns, in the period January 2021 to January 2022, we saw an 82% year-on-year increase*. Albeit this rise will be down in part to the fact that many businesses were closed or operating under lockdown restrictions for periods of time in the prior year. Pest specialists are well equipped to work with facilities managers to use tools and technology to monitor and safely eliminate any rodent activity, helping to ensure that businesses can make the most of the return to the office.

Any infestation involving pests such as rats, mice, fleas or flies can be distressing for staff and visitors alike - with facilities managers often being the first point of contact to deal with such problems. A previous Rentokil study of the business impact of pests across 1,000 non-food businesses (including offices) found that the negative effect on staff morale was the most cited impact of an infestation, with businesses stating that they also suffered a drop in revenue and reputational damage. Facilities managers should make sure they have a plan in place to quickly and effectively minimise any disruption and - in some cases - eradicate the problem before it even arises.



As office bins become full of food waste once again, the number of pests looking for an easy meal naturally grows, yet there are a few simple things that facilities managers can look out for to enable a swift response. When looking in and around a workplace they should be looking for nests, droppings, gnawing and rub marks - key indicators of a rodent infestation. If any of these are spotted, then pest control experts should be called in to deal with the problem sustainably and efficiently.

Simply put, there is not a ‘one size fits all’ approach to pest management, and the key to success is finding a mix of what works best for a specific workplace. A plan that facilitates a rapid response allows for a swift reaction to a problem when it arises and calls upon the skills of the local pest technician to quickly deal with the pests and ensure that they don’t return. This tried and tested approach helps businesses keep on top of pest problems before they get out of hand, but relies on facilities managers to promptly identify the problem and often cannot prevent at least some damage to property or reputation. Businesses should therefore also explore more proactive pest management strategies.

There are a range of innovative digital technologies available on the market that can proactively deliver maximum protection against pests, using minimal customer resources in an economically efficient way. These technologies use various methods to control rodent pests, so even when facilities managers are not onsite, they e can be assured that intruding rodents are being controlled. By individually tailoring a plan to the specific environment, facilities managers have peace of mind from increased protection, and some connected options, which provide 24/7 monitoring, can even unlock pest data analytics, which can help to increase future levels of efficiency and control.

Whether a facilities manager is dealing with an existing pest problem or is looking to prevent one from ever developing, it is essential that they know how to access local expert help. Any pest expert should be up to date on the latest techniques and legislation changes to help deliver the best results. If any facilities managers are in any doubt as to what methods are best for their premises, they should always check with the experts.

*Rentokil Initial data source: Rentokil Pest Control, analysis of Pest Enquiry Data, January 2022

Time For A Pest Management Strategy As Pests Head Back To The Office