Summer doesn’t just bring heat—it brings pests. From ants in the breakroom to rodents around the dumpster, this season is prime time for uninvited guests to make themselves at home in your facility.
Whether you manage a restaurant, retail space, or office building, pests are a threat to health, safety, and your brand reputation. And once they’re in, they can be tough (and costly) to get out.
The good news? A solid facility strategy can keep most infestations from ever happening. And if you haven’t started preparing yet, now’s the time.
Why Summer Pest Problems Spike
Pests love warm weather. It speeds up their breeding cycles, increases activity, and pushes them to look for food, water, and shelter—usually inside your building.
A few things that make commercial spaces extra attractive during summer:
- Overflowing trash or missed waste pickups
- Cracked foundations or unsealed loading docks
- Standing water from AC runoff or irrigation leaks
- Open doors during deliveries
- Warm, quiet corners behind walls, shelves, or in ceiling spaces
Even the cleanest facility can develop issues fast if there’s no active prevention strategy in place. And once you have a pest sighting? You’re likely already dealing with a larger hidden problem.
What Every Facility Should Be Doing Now
Pest control isn’t just about spraying chemicals when there’s an infestation—it’s about creating an environment that keeps pests from ever getting comfortable. Here’s what your team (or your facility partner) should be prioritizing right now:
Seal the Gaps
Check windows, doors, vents, pipes, and foundation lines. Even tiny cracks can be a welcome mat for ants, roaches, or mice. Use weather stripping, caulk, and door sweeps to close off easy access points.
Maintain the Exterior
Keep landscaping trimmed, especially around building edges. Overgrown shrubs and piles of mulch or leaves are perfect hiding spots for bugs and rodents. Make sure dumpsters are placed away from the main structure, and that lids actually stay closed.
Stay on Top of Waste
If your trash areas are attracting flies or rodents, it’s not just gross: it’s a sign of a bigger issue. Schedule more frequent pickups if needed, rinse bins regularly, and ensure food waste is sealed up tight.
Fix Moisture Issues
Leaks, condensation, and standing water are pest magnets. Summer’s humidity can make things worse, so check AC units, drain lines, and restroom plumbing for drips or pooling water.
Clean the Hidden Spots
Kitchens, storage rooms, breakrooms, and utility closets tend to be forgotten when it comes to deep cleaning. Make sure these zones are getting regular attention, especially in corners, under appliances, and behind shelving.
Educate Your Team
One open door propped for deliveries, or one cup of soda left overnight in the office, can kick off a pest problem. Make sure your team understands the basics of prevention, especially around food, trash, and reporting sightings early.
How RKB Helps You Stay Pest-Free
At RKB Facility Solutions, we don’t just fix issues after they’ve happened. We help prevent them in the first place. Our team works with businesses across the country to stay ahead of pest problems by keeping facilities sealed, clean, and well-maintained from the inside out.
Here’s how we support our clients during peak pest season:
- Exterior inspections: We look for common problem areas like open utility lines, cracked loading dock seals, or unprotected trash zones and handle repairs before pests get in.
- Preventive maintenance: From door sweeps to leaky pipes to cluttered storage areas, we address the small issues that often invite bigger problems.
- Rapid response: If something does get in, our national network means we can move fast to support cleanup, repair, or coordination with pest control vendors.
- Multi-location support: We create consistent standards across your locations, so every site is protected—without you having to manage it all separately.
You don’t need to wait for an infestation to take action. With the right plan (and partner), you can stop problems before they start.
Don’t Let Pests Take Over Your Summer
Summer pests are aggressive and they’re not picky. They’ll show up in your lobby, your storage room, even behind the counter if there’s something to eat or somewhere to hide. And once customers or employees start noticing, the damage to your brand can be hard to undo.
So don’t just react. Be proactive.
A pest-free facility doesn’t just look better, it’s safer, healthier, and more professional. And with the right strategy, it doesn’t have to cost a fortune either.
Stop the Summer Swarm with RKB
Pests don’t care about your hours, your brand, or your budget—but RKB does. Let us help you stay ahead of the season with smart, preventative solutions that protect your space, your people, and your peace of mind.
We’ll handle the sealing, repairs, waste area updates, and more—so you can focus on running your business, not swatting flies.
