5 minute read
5 minute read
Keeping a workplace safe, clean, and running smoothly means being prepared for the unexpected.
A rodent sighting in a warehouse. Flies around a waste area. Ants appearing in a staff kitchen.
While prevention should always be the first step, even well-managed sites can experience pest activity.
Having the right pest control products available helps businesses manage issues, protect stock, and maintain standards.
Different workplaces face different challenges:
In this guide, we’ll explore common workplace pest issues and the products that can help tackle them.
A pest issue rarely stays in one place.
What starts as a small sign of activity can affect stock, hygiene standards, and day-to-day operations if it’s not addressed.
For businesses, the impact can include:
With the right products readily available, your team can respond quickly and resolve issues as soon as they appear.
Warehouses, distribution centres, and food manufacturing sites can all experience rodent activity.
It's important to consider the areas where activity is most likely to occur, including:
Rats and mice can cause more than a nuisance. They can damage packaging, contaminate stock, and chew through cables or equipment.
For businesses managing large sites, having the right control products available helps teams respond to signs of activity and protect key areas.
| PRODUCT | SUITABLE FOR | HELPS WITH |
| Warehouses, storage areas, and sites managing rodent activity | A ready-to-use bait solution with an attractive peanut scent. Designed for use with a bait station. | |
| Areas where mouse activity has been identified | A grain bait solution supplied in sachets, suitable for targeted rodent control. | |
| Indoor areas where a non-toxic trap solution is preferred | Capturing mice without using bait or chemicals. |
Flying insects are common around kitchens, welfare areas, storage spaces, and shared workplace facilities.
Flies, wasps, mosquitoes, and other insects can become more than a nuisance. They can also make it harder to maintain clean, comfortable spaces for employees and visitors.
From fast-acting sprays to non-toxic traps, choosing the right fly control product depends on where the issue is and the type of environment you’re managing.
| PRODUCT | SUITABLE FOR | HELPS WITH |
| Areas where immediate action is needed | A fast-acting aerosol for flies, wasps, mosquitoes, midges, and other flying insects. | |
| Indoor areas where flying insects are regularly present | A non-toxic solution that attracts and catches flying insects using light and a grid system. | |
| Windows and areas where flies gather | A chemical-free option that catches flies using a strong adhesive. |
Ants are small, but they can quickly become noticeable in shared spaces.
Kitchens, canteens, and welfare facilities are common areas for ant activity, especially where food sources are present.
From targeted bait stations to ready-to-use powders, the right product can help businesses manage ant activity in key areas.
| PRODUCT | SUITABLE FOR | HELPS WITH |
| Indoor areas where ant activity has been identified | Clean and easy-to-use bait stations designed to target ants and their nests. | |
| Indoor and outdoor areas where ants or crawling insects are present | A ready-to-use powder that helps control ants, their nests, and other crawling insects. |
Every workplace has different requirements. The right product depends on the type of pest, where activity has been found, and the environment you’re managing.
Use the guide below to match the right product type to your workplace.
| PEST | COMMON LOCATIONS | PRODUCTS TO CONSIDER |
| Rats and mice | Warehouses, distribution centres, storage areas, and waste points | Rodent bait and humane traps |
| Flies and wasps | Kitchens, welfare areas, storage spaces, and shared facilities | Sprays, fly killers, and fly-catching solutions |
| Ants | Canteens, kitchens, indoor areas, and outdoor spaces | Bait stations and ready-to-use powders |
Need help choosing the right products for your site?
Our team can help you find suitable solutions for your workplace.
Finding the right pest control products is just one part of keeping your workplace prepared.
MY-SMI® is SMI’s online purchasing platform, making it easier to manage workplace supplies from one trusted supplier.
Alongside pest control products, you can find cleaning and hygiene supplies, PPE, and other workplace essentials to support your teams.
Register for MY-SMI® and manage your workplace supplies from one easy-to-use platform.
Written by Scott Arnot
Scott Arnot is Product Marketing Manager at SMI, where he helps businesses find the right solutions to improve safety, compliance, and productivity. Responsible for promoting SMI's extensive range of workplace products and services, he works closely with suppliers and internal teams to ensure customers can access the products, expertise, and support they need to overcome everyday workplace challenges.
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