Bins and planted areas also can cause problems. Foxes can be attracted to bins, ripping open black bags looking for food and scattering rubbish. The smell of the bins can attract rats and mice to the area and if they find sufficient food, they can set up home in planted areas. Occasionally, rats can find their way into buildings through sewers and drains, and can swim around water traps or chew through plastic pipes and find their way into flats. Inevitably, at some point residents will need a regular pest control service, usually focussed around the common parts. Occasionally, they may also need some form of pigeon deterrents installed.

Different ideas

Relying on poisons without undertaking preventative measures means there will be longer periods when residents are experiencing nuisance and having to wait for relief. Few residents suffer in silence and they will be quick to complain to the managing agent when there’s a mouse in the kitchen.

Legally a pest control contractor must assess a mechanical means of control (proofing and hygiene) before resorting to the use of pesticides. This can involve blocking holes to prevent pests entering or carrying out internal repairs to restrict the movements of pests within buildings. Some pest control companies offer this as an additional service. However few are qualified in building techniques and there is a danger that inappropriate materials will be used to seal gaps that could themselves release toxic gases in the event of a fire. This is especially important where common services, such as pipes and cables, run through walls from one flat to another.

Health and safety

The managing agent also will need to keep a record of which chemicals have been used in a building and will need to be satisfied a proper assessment has been provided. It is also wise for them to have a copy of the chemical safety data sheet so in the event of a pet eating rat poison they can inform a vet. They will also need copies of risk assessments and method statements before works take place.

The managing agent will need to act as the messenger between residents where block treatments are being used. For instance, pharaoh ants spread right through a building and they cannot be treated piecemeal and successful elimination requires access to all the flats at the same time on five or six occasions. Each visit will require a letter to each occupier and a reminder that failure to provide access could compromise the treatment, wasting thousands of pounds.

A pest control contractor with an excellent communication system is vital to the success of any managing agent’s business.

For more information about pest control, contact Microbee on tel: 0208 540 9968, fax: 0208 540 7477,
email: info@microbee.co.uk, web: www.microbee.co.uk