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Commercial pest control: what is exclusion?

In today’s greener marketplace, pest exclusion is an essential component of any commercial pest management plan. Gone are the days of commercial pest control services blanketing a facility with powerful chemicals to wipe out an infestation. These days, more businesses are choosing to apply the principles of integrated pest management, a more holistic and healthy form of commercial pest control that works with the environment, biology and natural life cycle of pests to help curb populations.

One of the most important aspects of this approach to commercial pest management is known as exclusion. Pest exclusion is a preventative tactic that involves sealing up areas of your building where pests are likely to enter – essentially, denying pests access to the facility in the first place. The following is a look at how commercial pest control services apply pest exclusion tactics to prevent infestations from occurring.

Low rise commercial office building with multi-colored windows and landscaping

Why pest exclusion is important

Exclusion is essentially a facility’s first line of defense against a pest invasion. The idea behind this integrated pest management tactic is that it’s much easier (and safer for the environment) to simply keep pests out than to root out an infestation once it takes hold. Unfortunately, because insects and rodents are small and sneaky, many commercial buildings are rife with cracks, holes and other entry points that make ideal doorways for pests. The first thing a quality provider of commercial pest control services will do is thoroughly inspect the building for vulnerable areas and fortify them wherever possible.

How pest exclusion works

The key to pest exclusion for large buildings – such as offices, schools, hospitals, restaurants, etc. – is sealing and securing all possible points of entry into the building. This includes cracks in the foundation, improperly sealed vents, drain pipes, garbage shoots and other points of entry that are not properly sealed off. Of course, some parts of the building must remain ventilated and open to some extent; the point is to make sure that there are no unnecessary open entry points. It’s also important to minimize possible traffic routes for insects and critters by keeping windows shut and screen meshes fastened and in good repair.

Close up of a man's hand locking a glass window.

Other exclusion tactics recommended by integrated pest management experts involve keeping any organic matter away from the exterior of the building – including trash, compost, mulch and even fallen leaves – as these have a tendency to attract pests. Finally, removing inviting food, water, nesting and breeding sources from the inside of the building will help to create inhospitable conditions for pests.

Implementing a pest exclusion plan can be a huge undertaking, especially for a large facility. For best results, bring in a commercial pest management company to provide expert advice and solutions.

The benefits of pest exclusion

Leading commercial pest control services are increasingly turning to pest exclusion for many reasons. Besides being cost-effective – because fewer chemicals are used and more efficient methods are employed – pest exclusion is safe for both humans and the environment. Traditional commercial pest management once involved applying a lot of heavy-duty pesticides, which were hazardous to humans as well as pests. Because commercial buildings are often high-traffic areas where many people come and go, it’s important to ensure they provide a healthy as well as pest-free environment. It’s also important to acknowledge that pests are an important part of a healthy ecosystem, which means a balance between elimination and prevention must be sought.

A pest specialist providing an inspection outside of a red brick building.

There are plenty of pest control methods that do not rely on expensive technology or chemicals. Some of these techniques have been around for hundreds of years, while others are more recent inventions. Pest exclusion is a great example of an affordable and highly efficient approach to commercial pest management. In some cases, you can even get LEED certification points for your facility if you use integrated pest management.

Integrated pest management is a year-round approach to pest control. If your facility hasn’t already implemented pest exclusion measures, there are plenty of commercial pest control services available to help. Scheduling an inspection is a good place to begin; after that, all you need to do is stick to your pest exclusion routine.

Implementing a pest exclusion plan can be a huge undertaking, especially for a large facility. For best results, bring in a commercial pest management company to provide expert advice and solutions.

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