subject: Budgeting Termite Control Into The Small Business Equation [print this page] When you set out to open your first business, termite control and similar services probably won't be one of the top things you consider placing in the budget, but in all reality it likely should be. Though some components of business ownership are clearly going to be in the forefront of your mind, this is one thing that shouldn't be ignored. Think about it, do you think your clients want to spend time in a store that is packed with insects or rodents?
Bugs and rodents do more than just make clients and staff uncomfortable, they slowly destroy expensive machinery an infrastructure. Small ants have even been known to take up residence inside of large models of machinery, resulting in damage and electrical shortages. A few rats can lay waste to an entire inventory or stock room full of paper in just a couple of days.
Your business insurance may cover the damaged merchandise and room, but it isn't going to protect you from damages incurred after the story hits the news or a few big clients find out about it. You do not want to be the one that has to close down for a few days while a professional exterminator gases the storeroom, you wait for new stock to come in, or you deal with replacing expensive broken equipment.
It is important that companies come to understand that the fact they aren't selling food does not make them immune to these issues. There is also no reason to think that pests are only interested in places where food is openly distributed, all it takes is the crumbs from an employee's sandwich or even a good cold spell to draw them in. Furthermore cold weather and rain are known to attract them, as they are in the search for a safe place to hide. Food and bugs do not necessarily go hand in hand, any structure with human inhabitants a large portion of the day must be protected from the damaging effects of pests.
Termite control, as well as other types of pest management is a critical component of protecting a small business. Taking care of this issue is something that most business owners can easily manage with the help of one of the many people who offer this type of service. Because most pest control companies understand that business owners do not want clients seeing them around, they offer a wide range of hours. They will come by several times throughout the year to offer preventative work and survey the area for any signs of a problem.
