What’s the cost of pest control?

Well, at face value, the cost of mouse control for the Poundland chain this week is 24,000 items at £1 each; a total of £24,000. This is the amount that Poundland in Croyden has just been fined for breaking the Food Hygiene laws. The store found some packets of biscuits had been chewed by mice; these packets were resealed and put out for sale to the public. I wonder what you’d call a biscuit after it’s been crawled over by mice –  a Mousy Dodger or a Mouse Dropping Cookie?  Not a Nice thought! 

Food Hygiene laws are very clear about pests and food, as we explained to the national news when we were contacted for expert pest control advice about this today. All food and drink sold should be uncontaminated by pests and fit for human consumption, and pests must be kept out of food business in the first place.

These laws apply not just to the big chains but to small food businesses as well.  It seems incredible that food that had obviously been contaminated by pests was put out for sale, but this could happen to any food business. Mice can squeeze in through the smallest gaps, move around easily under floors and in walls and mainly come out at night. If they’re in your dry goods store or under the counter units you might not know anything about it until an Environmental Health Inspector spots droppings.

We always recommend that food businesses use our contract pest control service; this keeps the pests most likely to get into a business and contaminate food – rats, mice and insects – under control all year round. We’ll do a survey of your food business or premises and provide a written quote for contract pest control. And we’ll advise on and fit pest proofing too. If you’re worried or would like advice then ring or email us.

This is far better than waiting until there’s a pest problem or pest infestation and then trying to get rid of it because the damage could be done by then. And it’s likely to be the reputation of the business that gets damaged the most, if its not been closed down, not just a packet of biscuits. What’s the cost of pest control then?