In hospitality, a knowledgeable, attentive staff is your best line of defense against pests. Housekeeping teams at hotels, motels, and Bed and Breakfasts are often the first to notice early signs of infestations, making their role in prevention and detection essential even with their already demanding workloads.
Training your staff and encouraging them to speak up about concerns is essential. Use these tips to build a pest control training program that fits your business.
Pest Management Training
New employee training is your first chance to build pest awareness. Provide clear instructions on what signs to look for and how staff can play a role in prevention, starting with the basics by including visual aids or real-life examples to reinforce learning. Don’t expect them to already know.
To improve overall pest management, consider offering the following types of training:
- Cleaning Procedures: Outline which areas must be cleaned on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis, and specify the appropriate cleaning products to use.
- Garbage Management: Explain how frequently trash should be emptied, the pickup schedule, and best practices for maintaining cleanliness around dumpsters and waste areas.
- Inspection Requirements: Make staff aware of relevant health and safety regulations and let them know how often routine inspections occur.
- Recognizing Pest Activity: Train staff to identify early signs of common pests such as bed bugs, rodents, and cockroaches that frequently affect hospitality properties.
- Reporting Pest Concerns: Clarify the reporting process, including whether to log findings or inform a manager immediately. A clear system helps ensure quick and confident action.
Ongoing Pest Control Training
After the initial training, it’s crucial to continually remind your staff about pest control procedures. Use regular staff meetings as opportunities to emphasize the importance of being vigilant for any signs of pests. Placing posters and checklists in common, high-traffic areas can serve as helpful reminders to incorporate pest prevention into daily routines.
Encourage your team to report any pest concerns, no matter how minor they may seem. Let them know your door is always open and that their observations are key since you can’t be everywhere at once. The more detailed information they provide when commercial pest control experts are called, the more effective the response will be.
Teach your staff to note essential details that can be shared with your pest control technician:
- Time: Note the exact time the pest was seen.
- Location: Record the specific place where the pest appeared.
- Description: Provide a brief description of the pest’s appearance.
Ensuring your hotel, motel, or bed and breakfast remains pest-free means no closures and no lost profits, which is a win for everyone.
Call the Pest Control Experts
Hotels, motels, and busy businesses with heavy foot traffic need extra care to control pest problems. While your staff plays a key role in prevention, regular inspections and maintenance by a professional pest control company like Bug Out can catch issues early. Leading by example and showing your commitment to pest protection encourages your team to do the same.
If you’re unsure how to train your staff on pest management, rely on the experts. We’ll inspect your business and give you a customized guide on what signs to watch for and the proper steps to take when pests are found. Plus, we’ll help you set up a regular maintenance plan tailored to your needs.
Call Bug Out today for expert help, a free assessment, or to arrange your pest control service.
