Environmentally conscious hoteliers can earn a LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for maintaining a sustainable and “green” building. An Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program can help hotels achieve LEED certification by reducing their use of chemical products and reducing their environmental impact.
IPM programs use a proactive, preventive approach with multiple control methods to reduce underlying conditions that attract rodents. Through exclusion, improving building sanitation and eliminating other conditions conducive to rodent populations, hotels can sustainably protect their property from potential rodent populations.
Property Protection
Rodents don’t need much space to squeeze into your hotel. Mice have the ability to fit through gaps the size of a dime, while rats can fit through holes the size of a quarter. Even the smallest crack, gap or crevice can act as an open door to these persistent pests. For this reason, it is important to check for any potential structural deficiencies when inspecting for rodent activity.
These openings are commonly found around windows and doors but can also be found around exterior vents. Be sure to monitor these areas regularly and repair or replace any gaps as soon as they are spotted. Quick maintenance can prevent a larger rodent population from entering the building.
Ditch Dumpster Divers
Your hotel’s waste management program is essential to preventing rodents from invading your space. These persistent pests aren’t picky eaters, so what you may perceive as garbage could be the perfect meal for a hungry rodent. As you evaluate your hotel’s waste management practices, keep these common rodent hot spots in mind.
- Overflowing dumpsters: Hotels, resorts and hostels experience new visitors each day as guests check in and out. With a steady flow of people, trash can quickly accumulate in your facility’s dumpsters. If you notice that dumpsters are overflowing or not closing all the way before the next trash pickup date, you may need to increase your facility’s trash pickup schedule.
- Debris: Cardboard, wrappers and other debris can provide rodents with the shelter they need to remain unseen. Encourage employees and guests to place garbage all the way inside trash bins, ensuring that the lid is closed all the way. This can deter rodents from making their way into the dumpster.
Pest Inspection
Employees are a hotel’s first line of defense against potential rodent problems. When reviewing your hotel’s facility maintenance schedule and pest management program, include your team in your building’s pest management practices.
- Create a Log: A detailed pest sighting log can help pest management providers identify pests and pinpoint potential pest hot spots around the building. Encourage employees to document how many rodents, the location spotted and any indicators of a rodent population to assist your pest management provider in improving your hotel’s pest management program. Engaging team members in your IPM program can also help make employees feel more included in your hotel’s practices and increase their willingness to be part of your building’s pest plan.
- Stick to a Schedule: Regularly scheduled inspections with your pest management provider can also help prevent pest problems from spreading throughout your hotel. Catching an isolated rodent sighting early on can stop a rodent population from spreading to other areas in your hotel and save you from a larger rodent problem later on.
Sustainable pest management doesn’t just keep rodents from checking into your hotel. An effective IPM program can also help improve your property’s environmental footprint while minimizing the use of toxic or harmful products. Show rodents the “No Vacancy” sign by integrating environmentally conscious pest management practices into your IPM program.