Pests and unforeseen natural events

2020 has reduced the number of people using storage facilities, and as a result, it has raised a few issues that are typically only seen annually. Recently there have been requests to help with issues like ants invading gate motors, possums nesting in roller doors, spider web blankets covering 30-40 units at once along with CCTV cameras, bee’s finding a new home in an entrance keypad and even a caterpillar infestation.

As facilities start to ramp back up over the busy Christmas period, there are a few preventative measures facilities can take now to help alleviate any natural occurrences.

Not everyone knows the number of their local apiarist (though I do now).

By Timm Martin – Sentinel.

PRO-TIPS FOR PREVENTING PESKY PEST PROBLEMS

l NEVER spray anything directly onto a keypad or into motor casing. l Outdoor long term surface sprayapplied halfway up keypad stands and near the base once a week can deter pests. l Ant sand barrier applied around gate motor housing but NOT across rails is a fantastic deterrent. Re-apply frequently, and eventually, ants will target other areas. Sweep away leaves regularly. l Wasp nests should be removed quickly, so ensure there are thorough walk-throughs weekly and lookup. These should only be removed by a professional. Wasps are aggressive when their nests are disturbed. Wasps are attracted to sweet things, and proteinbased foods and their nests do significantly more structural damage than beehives so always good to notice and remove them early. The glucose in wax-covered boxes is particularly attractive to wasps so again discourage storers from using supermarket boxes or fruit store boxes. l Deter bees by blocking all small holes (EG: plastic grommets for keypads). Bee’s swarm around a queen who can easily be identified and removed by a professional, and many apiarists will gladly relocate them for you. Once removed they rarely return to the same spot. (Find out your friendly local apiarist today) l Rats and mice reproduce quickly so as always it’s important to notice any issues early. Again, block all openings around the perimeter of the property. Discourage customers from using boxes/packaging that has residual smells in them (EG: supermarket boxes) when storing.

As facilities start to ramp back up over the busy Christmas period, there are a few preventative measures facilities can take now to help alleviate any natural occurrences.

Wax blocks in protective cartons is a great deterrent and visible display to your customers that you care about their belongings and your facility.

You can spot entrances easily as they leave behind oil marks as they squeeze into small spaces. l Spiders are again attracted to quiet, dark places. An excellent long-term surface spray across the bottom of roller door seals and circling all door latches, and anywhere they can crawl under and hide. Important to also spray inside the unit perimeter and behind the closed doors.

Redback and Whitetail spiders pose a threat but love rubbish and unattended plants so important again to clear away old pallets etc. and always check outdoor potted plants. They are disturbed by constant vibration (trolleys going past aisleways etc. etc.), so again they thrive in areas where customers do not frequent. l Clear cobwebs away from CCTV cameras as soon as possible. Even small movement can set NVR recorders off and running and significantly reduce your recording time and false alarm readings.

A little preventative maintenance, facility awareness and knowing who to call, helps significantly in turning a significant catastrophe into a minor inconvenience. l