McCloud Services encourages public awareness of pests in April during National Pest Management Month
McCloud Services, a leading pest management company headquartered in South Elgin, Ill., is proud to celebrate National Pest Management Month, which has been celebrated for more than 30 years by the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). This public observance acknowledges the pest management industry's commitment to the protection of public health and property from common structural pests such as rodents, ants, termites, bedbugs and cockroaches.
During National Pest Management Month, McCloud Services encourages public awareness of pests and shines a light on the importance of professional pest management this spring.
"After the brutal cold weather we have had throughout the U.S. over the winter months, we are looking forward to the warmer weather, and so are pests. As the weather continues to warm, pests will begin to emerge from their overwintering sites and look for food indoors. To prevent an infestation, facility managers and homeowners should take some time to pest-proof their buildings and homes in the coming weeks," said Patricia Hottel, technical director of McCloud Services. "From sealing openings and removing debris around the foundation of the building to eliminating sources of moisture indoors, a few simple maintenance projects can keep pests from causing problems this spring."
McCloud experts recommend the following tips for commercial facilities and residential locations:
• Repair openings around pipe/ wall junctures.
• Replace worn door brushes and seals around personnel, rail and dock doors.
• Keep tree branches and shrubbery well-trimmed and away from the building which may allow pest access to the building.
• If adding any landscaping plants, chose plants which will not spread along the ground, which may shelter and hide pest activity.
• Avoid ground covers and vines. Select plants with a "v" shape and will expose the ground below the plants for inspection.
• Avoid the use of mulch. Consider using gravel or rock for landscaping instead of mulch which can encourage a wide variety of pests which like the moisture and food provided in the wood chips.
• Make sure that exterior equipment storage is neat and permits inspection. Store items on racks which allow for inspection and reduces pest habitat.
• Eliminate sources of standing water around the building, including clogged gutters, pot holes, ruts and 55 gallon drums stored on the exterior.
• Review the exterior lighting. Use sodium vapor lights versus mercury vapor lighting, especially for lights mounted on the structure.
• Keep dumpster and dumpster compactor areas clean and lids on trash containers. All exterior trash receptacles should have self-closing lids.
• Inform employees that they should not feed wildlife around the building. Encouraging wildlife around the structure can lead to wildlife entering the structure.
For more information on common commercial pest or pest-proofing tips, please visit www.mccloudservices.com/news.
About McCloud Services
McCloud Services, based in South Elgin, Ill., is the leader in food protection services throughout the chain of custody - from grain elevator to grocery store. McCloud Services is known for its integrated approach to pest management, specifically designed for the food service industry. Serving the largest food-related brands in the U.S., the company has earned a reputation as the "food protection experts." McCloud Services has locations in 11 states with nine service centers. For more information, visit www.mccloudservices.com.