What does it mean to be essential?

The professional pest control industry has always played an essential role in the protection of public health, food and property for homes and businesses nationwide. Consider that rodents contaminate or consume about 20 percent of the world’s food supply, and other pests spread disease such as West Nile virus, Lyme disease, salmonellosis, hantavirus and encephalitis. More, stinging insects force hundreds of thousands of people to the emergency room each year, and cockroach and rodent allergens trigger asthma attacks in children. Without the critical work of the professional pest control industry, these alarming statistics would be so much worse.

In today’s uncertain times during the world’s important battle against COVID-19, the industry continues its role as a vital protector of human health and safety. Although many businesses in communities worldwide have had to close their doors and do their part to flatten the curve, professional pest control has been recognized as an essential service by the United States Department of Homeland Security. This means, most pest control companies in the United States are still working hard to protect our food supply and our critical national infrastructure, while also continuing to reduce the threat of pest-borne disease to homes and businesses.

What does this mean for you?

With 135,000+ service technicians from more than 19,000 companies, the professional pest control industry is committed to continuing to protect the nation’s food production facilities, grocery stores, medical institutions and hospitals, multifamily housing units, warehouses, local municipalities, homes and businesses.

As communities stay inside and, in many cases, at home, to prevent the spread of COVID-19, pests such as rodents, will have less to deter them from venturing out into broad daylight to find water and food sources. If their typical nesting and feeding locations are depleted due to closed businesses, there is no doubt that they will resourcefully seek a new location for water, food and shelter. Without proper, ongoing pest control efforts, rodent populations will move from areas where businesses are closed, to areas where food and water are readily available.

At home, the pests that have always frustrated us as part of daily lives as well as spread diseases, will likely continue to do so. Homeowners may see pests in new and different places during this period of change. Pests are known to adapt easily to changes in environment and are already quickly adjusting to our new normal. The tower of cardboard boxes waiting to be safely broken down from increasing home deliveries, as one example, make excellent hiding spots for pests in garages or next to trash cans.

What is High-Level Cleaning?

High-level cleaning is pretty much as the name suggests, cleaning at high levels. At its simplest, it is cleaning that requires either equipment or individuals at a height to enable the cleaning of surfaces, whether internal or external.

Of course, many will only consider the external cleaning at height when they see individuals abseiling to clean windows or on access platforms to clean cladding. However, there are of course internal walls and ceilings in some types of premises that are high too and still need cleaning.

Importantly, with the potential dangers of cleaning at heights, it is vital that appropriate Health & Safety procedures, insurance and training are provided. More on this later.

High-Level Cleaning Procedures

Working at height requires that commercial cleaners follow strict procedures to ensure the safety of staff, customers and the general public. The dangers of working at heights are obvious but must not be underestimated. All staff at TMT that work at heights are highly trained and accredited professionals where appropriate.

Types of Premises

Any commercial or industrial buildings or premises with height will require specialist high-level cleaning services. Such premises would include:

• Car dealers
• Historic buildings
• Distribution centres
• Warehouses
• Factories
• Office blocks
• Apartment blocks
• Large retail outlets
• Cinemas and leisure complexes
• Supermarkets
• Churches and community centres
• Large chillers and fridges