You’re no stranger to systems when managing a warehouse or storage facility. You likely rely on smooth processes and strong workflows to keep things running efficiently. However, dealing with a steady stream of incoming and outgoing products means that any pest infestation can throw a major wrench. So, today, let us lend you a hand with several warehouse pest control tips. Here are five important things to keep in mind when striving to keep your warehouse free from pests:
1. Implement an Effective Stock Rotation System
Proper stock management is essential to pest control for warehouses. Implementing a first-in, first-out (FIFO) system is highly recommended to ensure products aren’t left untouched for extended periods, attracting pests like cockroaches, rats and mice. It is particularly important for food storage. The FIFO system reduces the risk of spoilage and expired items becoming breeding grounds for pests.
Key points to consider:
- Create a FIFO-supported layout: Design your storage areas to facilitate FIFO movement, with clear entry and exit points for products. Consider using ‘drive-through’ or ‘push-back’ racking systems that encourage older stock to be picked first. While at it, create a system or rule that ensures products are stored several inches away from walls to have clear inspection lanes.
- Use clear labelling and inventory management systems: Use barcode scanning technology to track product movement & dates accurately. You can utilise lot numbers to organise inventory by production or expiration date. Pay extra attention to perishable goods and items attractive to pests.
- Conduct regular audits and cycle counts: Perform periodic inventory checks to ensure FIFO principles are followed. Explore using cycle counting to maintain accurate inventory levels and identify discrepancies.
2. Prioritise Organisation and Cleanliness
A disorganised and cluttered warehouse provides ideal hiding spots and nesting areas for pests like rodents and cockroaches. In turn, these critters can freely roam around the warehouse, carry diseases and contaminate products and surfaces.
Here are some steps to improve your warehouse’s organisation and cleanliness:
- Develop regular cleaning schedules for all areas of the warehouse: Daily tasks could include sweeping and mopping the floors & keeping high-traffic areas, such as break rooms and loading docks, clutter-free. Weekly and monthly tasks could be deep-cleaning hard-to-reach areas, HVAC vents & more.
- Establish standard operating procedures (SOPs): Develop and document SOPs for cleaning and organising the warehouse. Ensure all employees have access to and understand these procedures. Moreover, review and update SOPs regularly to reflect best practices and any changes in operations.
- Foster a culture of cleanliness: Lead by example by maintaining a clean and organised workspace yourself. Ask top-level employees to do the same to encourage the rest of the team to prioritise cleanliness in the warehouse.
3. Address Pest Travel Routes and Entry Points
Want to prevent pest infestations? Besides keeping your warehouse clean and stocks organised, you must understand how pests enter and move through your warehouse. For instance, rodents often use electrical conduits, pipes, and other overhead structures as highways to travel undetected. Additionally, ground-level entry points like loading docks, doors and small cracks can provide easy access for pests. To mitigate these risks, consider the following steps:
- Seal all exterior openings, cracks, and crevices: Use caulk, steel wool, or other appropriate materials to seal any openings found. You should also pay special attention to areas around pipes, utility lines, doors, and windows.
- Install door sweeps and weather stripping on exterior doors: With this method, you can keep critters from sneaking through gaps.
- Elevate stored items off the floor to reduce pest access: Add pallets or shelving to keep boxes and items off the floor. When you do that, you also eliminate hiding spots and make it harder for pests to access goods.
4. Train Staff to Identify Signs of Pest Activity
Training your staff to recognise signs of pest activity can lead to early detection and prevention of larger problems. First, educate them on common warehouse pests and their signs. Common signs of pest presence include droppings, nests made of shredded materials, gnaw marks, shed skins and greasy rub marks along the walls. Rodent droppings are capsule-like pellets, while insect droppings can vary in size and shape. Holes in packaging can also indicate a pest activity in the warehouse.
Also, encourage employees to report signs of pest presence or infestation. But how can they do that when your warehouse doesn’t have a reporting system in place? Your SOP for pest control in your warehouse should include a clear and simple reporting process for your staff. They must know what exactly to do to elicit prompt action or solution.
5. Partner with a Professional Pest Control Company
While in-house efforts matter, partnering with a professional pest management company is the most effective warehouse pest control solution. These experts have the knowledge, tools, and experience to implement safe and compliant pest control strategies tailored to your warehouse environment. They can provide ongoing monitoring and adjustment of pest control strategies. More importantly, they can provide expert advice on improving your facility’s pest resistance.
Get in Touch
These are easy-to-follow tips to build or refine your warehouse pest control strategies. If you have more questions about keeping your storage facility safe from pests, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. Our team is here to guide you every step of the way. Plus, you can count on our commercial pest control services to protect your facility.