Year-Round Office Pests
Pests never take a vacation. While the variety of vermin may vary from season to season, as a whole, they’re a problem year-round for commercial office buildings — from the breakroom to the board room. But just who are these full-time menaces and what can you do to stop them?
Summer
The latest office buzz — mosquitos and flies are in season. Make sure your tenants keep their breakrooms clean and free of tempting food waste.
Mosquitoes and Flies:
- Why They Thrive: Warm weather and stagnant water create perfect breeding grounds.
- Prevention Tips:
- Ensure windows and doors have screens.
- Eliminate any standing water around the property.
- Educate tenants about promptly cleaning up spills and not leaving food uncovered.
Fall
While your tenants’ employees are out on vacation, rodents, ants and fleas have the run of the office. Look for exterior cracks that these pests use to sneak inside and escape the cold.
Rodents, Ants, and Fleas:
- Why They Thrive: Cooler temperatures drive pests indoors seeking warmth and food.
- Prevention Tips:
- Seal cracks, gaps, and holes around doors, windows, walls, and utilities.
- Maintain door sweeps, weather stripping, and window screens.
- Keep vegetation trimmed back 60 cm from the building.
Winter
When the days get shorter, the list of pests seeking shelter indoors gets longer. Similar to Autumn, rodents and ants are on the lookout for a way inside, so make sure your building is sealed up tight during the Winter months.
Rodents and Ants:
- Why They Thrive: Cold weather drives pests indoors, where they can find food and warmth.
- Prevention Tips:
- Regularly inspect and repair any potential entry points.
- Store food in sealed containers and keep the office clean.
- Educate tenants about pest prevention.
Spring
Asian Lady Beetles, Fire Ants and Carpenter Bees — just a few of the many pests you might discover during Spring cleaning. Trim back problematic foliage and repair any exterior damage the colder weather may have caused.
Asian Lady Beetles, Fire Ants, and Carpenter Bees:
- Why They Thrive: Warmer temperatures and blooming flowers attract these pests.
- Prevention Tips:
- Keep vegetation trimmed back from the building.
- Repair any exterior damage from winter weather.
Remove sources of standing water and fix leaks immediately
General Tips for Year-Round Pest Prevention:
- Maintain door sweeps, weather stripping, and window screens.
- Repair leaks immediately.
- Remove sources of standing water around the property.
- Seal cracks, gaps, and holes around doors, windows, walls, and utilities.
- Educate tenants about pest prevention.
For expert assistance in keeping pests from pestering your business, call your local Orkin Canada branch for a free estimate.
No matter how hard you try to keep them out, pests will always find a way in. That’s why it’s so important to have a robust Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program for your building. To learn more about how you can reduce your pest occupancy, download “Year-Round Office Pests.”
Pests to Watch Out for in the Office_5-3-18 
Reviewed by Alice Sinia, Ph.D., MSc on March 12 2019.
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