Nowadays, there are more sustainable methods that are being used to control and maintain pests. In most cases, these pests are insects and rodents. Pest exclusion is one of those sustainable methods, being that it aims at protecting the environment. It doesn’t primarily rely on the use of chemicals to get rid of the pests as was done traditionally, instead using a preventative approach. In this article, we are going to take a look at pest exclusion and why it is important to your business.

A Balance Between Pest Prevention & Elimination

Much as they might be annoying to us, insects and rodents play an important part in the ecosystem. However, having them in commercial facilities tends to cause more harm to your business and property. this is because they bring in health hazards, and could also give your business a bad reputation. This could lead to the loss of clients or customers, having a negative impact on your business.

Pest exclusion is the perfect solution for your business and large buildings in general. It involves sealing of all places that the pests can use to gain entry into the buildings. This is the first step that is taken in pest exclusion. It is environmentally healthy since the chemicals used are less. This also means that it is cost effective and more efficient. It doesn’t affect the natural life cycle of the pests and is safe for humans.

Pest Exclusion is the Ultimate Pest Control Prevention

The big picture behind pest exclusion is the fact that it is effective in keeping pests out of buildings without having negative effects on the environment. This makes it easy for pests to infest buildings, making their eradication more complex, since it involves sealing of cracks, holes, improperly sealed vents, and other easy points of entry. This will keep insects, rats, and other pests out of the buildings.

Pest Exclusion Is Actually a Very Old idea

In the ancient days, people actually used things like smoke screens to keep pests at bay. Back then, most of the populations were hunters and gatherers who build temporary granary baskets in which they could keep their grains. The granary baskets were put on raised poles, which was yet another way of keeping out pests. Aside from that, the ancient people also used sulfuric compounds, herbs, and oils, like pesticides. They would also plant many crops that would be enough for both humans and pests.

How Does Pest Exclusion Work?

As a commercial pest control expert, the first step would be to do an inspection of the building. This is to determine the entry points of the pests, possible hiding areas, and other vulnerable areas before reinforcing them. During this process, it is important to ensure that some areas might have to remain ventilated, something that is attractive to pests due to the appealing temperatures, especially in the summer.

Proper and Effective Pest Exclusion Procedures

It is important to seal all the unnecessary apertures and potential routes that might be used by the pests. This could even mean putting screen meshes on windows and making sure they are in excellent condition. It is also important to ensure that there isn’t any organic matter on the exterior of the building. The most common organic matter, in this case, is trash, compost, mulch, and fallen leaves and branches. Insects and rodents use them as havens. On the interior of the building, ensure that you get rid of all food, water, and shelter sources.

Sealants, particle barriers, and mesh screens are effective pest exclusion methods that have been proven to work when it comes to commercial pest management. Despite the fact that it could be costly when covering a large facility, in the long run, it is cost effective and very efficient.

The Need for a Professional Commercial Pest Management Company

Pest Proof Victoria is a pest management company that gives their clients professional advice and solutions when it comes to the prevention and understanding of pests, which are rodents and insects. They know that pest prevention starts in the appropriate construction materials, and that specific procedure have to be followed. That is why they can be there to advise during the construction process, providing site-specific solutions.

5 Important Steps of an Effective Commercial Pest Exclusion Program

Integrated pest management is the course that Pest Proof Victoria has taken since it is a pest control system that is more holistic and healthy. Below are the 5 key steps we take in commercial pest exclusion:

1.    Facility Inspection and Gap Identification

The first step is to schedule an inspection of the site so that we can identify the affected areas. This includes locating gaps that are entry points for pests, such as utility lines. The exteriors of the buildings are also inspected, including shared walls, as well as interior pathways. The fact that we are knowledgeable in building construction means that we can use balloon framing (every floor of a building is framed as a separate unit).

2.    Sealing the Gaps, Routes, and Pathways

The sealing process is the second step in the pest exclusion process. The right sealants need to be used, and the first places to be sealed should be the routes that are seldom used by rodents. They can be identified due to the fact that they have no droppings, chew marks or secretion trails. The primary routes should only be sealed when there has been a population reduction (trapping).

3.    Using Sealing Products That Offer Permanence

Pest exclusion is successful when it is done by a professional like Adam Riley, and when the right products are used. There are several site-specific products that we use, keeping in mind weatherization and energy efficiency.. these are also dependent on the types of pests being excluded. You wouldn’t expect something that works for an insect to work for a rodent. Pest Proof Victoria knows exactly which ones will work, for which situations.

4.    Permeability Considerations – Air Flow, Water Drainage and Movement

When handling rodent exclusion, a structure should never be completely sealed off, since those spaces were probably left there for a reason. They could have been put there to allow airflow, or as water drainages, and sealing them might cause a problem to the buildings. Water permeable materials can be used for weep holes and ridge vents. Nettings can be used for air vents.

5.    Minimize External Bridges That Allow Pests Easy Access

Plants and vegetation are not only attractive to the human eye, but they also attract unwanted guests. That becomes even trickier if the plants or vegetation is in contact with buildings since they act as bridges for pests. The appropriate vegetation management is important in pest exclusion, despite the fact that it is many a time overlooked.

Pest Proof Victoria have the necessary experience, tools, and equipment to handle commercial pest exclusion successfully. They can also conduct annual inspections in sync with the companies hiring them, to ensure that the companies are pest free.