Avoiding Pests During Pest Season

By SC Johnson Professional

Spring and summer typically invoke images of sunny days, flowers blooming, beaches – and pests. Insect activity and populations soar in the warm seasons as the rising temperatures signal mating season and impact their behavior. The increase in moisture and rain also means insects can find food and shelter easier, further boosting activity and population.

Besides being a nuisance, common insects can spread disease. West Nile virus is the primary mosquito-borne pathogen in the continental United States. It causes approximately one in five people to develop a fever and other symptoms; one in 150 people infected contract a serious or fatal illness.[1] Other common pests like flies can contaminate surfaces and spread diseases including Salmonella and Tuberculosis.[2]

When preparing your facility for the seasonal resurgence of bugs, be sure to have a complete defense system. For example, Raid® insecticides offer a combination of products to help defend against bugs like mosquitos, ants, centipedes and more. The new Raid Max® Perimeter Protection help keeps bugs out and keeps on killing American cockroaches and Argentine ants for up to 18 months.

Strategies for Facility Pest Control

To help maintain a pest-free facility, consider the following strategies for pest control and prevention:

1. Prepare your facility: Facilities, especially in the hospitality industry, need to take several steps to prepare for an increase in pests in the warmer seasons. Since mosquitos only need two to three inches of water to breed, remove any sources of standing water in or near the facility.[3] Check that all window screens fit tightly, weather stripping at entrances is in good condition and any cracks or crevices on exterior walls are fixed. Address food and drink spills that could attract ants and flies as soon as possible and use cleaning solutions to remove organic materials from drains and high-use surfaces.
    
2. Offer products for personal protection:  Facilities can have insect repellent like OFF!^® Deep Woods^® readily available for employees and building occupants and encourage them to apply it on exposed skin. Make sure to use products formulated with DEET or Picardin to provide long-lasting defense. Additionally, facilities can urge any employees working outside to wear long-sleeved shirts, pants, socks and hats to provide further protection.
    
3. Address infestations in a timely manner: If an infestation is already present, address it quickly and effectively with effective solutions. For example, RAID MAX® Bed Bug Crack & Crevice Extended Protection Foaming Spray can be used on mattresses, wood furniture and carpet to kill bed bugs and eggs before they hatch. For larger spaces and hard-to-reach areas, Raid Max® Concentrated DEEP REACH™ Fogger kills bugs you can’t see, such as spiders and roaches, and keeps killing with residual action for up to two months.

For more concentrated applications, Raid® Ant & Roach Killer kills on contact and with residual action for up to four weeks, and leaves no lingering chemical odor. Similarly, Raid® Flying Insect Killer kills flying insects including flies, mosquitos, wasps and hornets with a pleasant Outdoor Fresh® scent.

Proactive Pest Control for the Summer Season

With pest season in full swing this summer, facilities need proactive pest control strategies to help maintain employee and building occupant comfort. The right insect repellents and insecticides can help prevent and remove infestations of bugs that cause various diseases, which can negatively impact a facility’s reputation. Follow these three steps to prepare your facility for a surge in unwanted pests.

For more information on pest control solutions, click here. To learn more about our wide range of professional products, visit www.scjp.com.