The need for innovative and dependable pest management services in commercial properties is not a luxury. It is essential, especially for facilities that are involved with food processing, storage and services, healthcare, and education.

It isn’t only the clients and their customers who demand pest-free environments in which to eat, work, shop, and stay. Local, state, and federal inspectors – and independent third-party auditors – also want to ensure that food is safe to eat. Everyone wants to see a pest-free facility. Whether that facility is a massive food processing plant, a chain or independent restaurant, a grocery store, a five-star resort, an urgent care clinic or nursing home, or an office building, it can be vulnerable to invasive pests.

Commercial property owners and managers should identify pest management companies that are experienced at working in commercial facilities. These companies should be willing to adapt to your schedule and emergency situations when needed. The company should be able to demonstrate that it can tailor its services to the specific needs and challenges of your commercial property.

Criteria for selection

When selecting a pest management provider for the first time or you’re changing providers, it’s important to have a selection criterion in place. What does the company bring to the table that will allow it to design and deliver an effective program and provide exceptional service for your brand?

Does the company have an investigative mindset? Will the company’s technicians and inspectors look deeper for the root cause of a pest infestation and resolve the issue, instead of merely installing more traps or applying more product? How well does it know your business or industry and the specific pest management and food safety requirements that it requires?

Are the company’s service protocols based on IPM principles? Ask for a sample pest management program for a similar facility and check to see if it’s truly IPM-based. What does it include? Is it innovative? Is the goal to reduce the environmental footprint of any service?

Does the company have audit experience? Successful passage of third-party audits is non-negotiable for food processors. What is the company’s experience working with various certification bodies? Do its clients routinely pass audits? Does the company have experience working in organic-certified facilities or clean-room environments?

Does the company have a documentation management system? If it isn’t documented, it didn’t happen. Accurate recordkeeping is a critical component in the FSMA-era of food safety, and pest management companies play a key role in that process. What system does the company have to manage documents? Is its system on a digital platform? How is it shared and is it easily accessible?

Does the company embrace technology and data analysis? Has it adopted such technologies as remote monitoring, video, and others? How does it collect, share, and analyze data for your facility’s benefit? What types of reporting and analysis does it provide?

Is communication a priority? Does the company engage you and your staff during the service process and ask questions? Will it offer training for your staff, and does it list its expectations of your staff?

What is the company’s reputation? Look for established companies with a good reputation in the industry. Read reviews and testimonials from other commercial property owners or managers. Ask for references.

Is the company licensed and certified, and does it carry insurance? Ensure that the pest management company you choose is licensed and certified by relevant authorities. Check if its technicians are trained and certified for commercial pest management. Verify the company carries liability insurance to cover any potential damage during its services.

What service guarantees does the company offer? Understand the terms of its service contracts, including frequency of visits. Check if it offers guarantees and what its policies are for callbacks and follow-up visits if needed.

Transparent pricing: Obtain a detailed quote that includes all costs and potential additional charges for the company’s services. Avoid companies that provide vague or unclear pricing structures.

If you’re looking for a pest management partner that understands your business and can help your company create an effective year-round pest management program, call Clark Pest Control at (800) 936-3339.