Working with Contractors to Keep Construction Sites Pest-free

Editor’s Note: This article was reprinted with permission from Pinto & Associates.

The activity and disturbance at construction sites can cause existing pests, especially rats and mice, to leave the area and move into neighboring areas. This can generate negative public relations for the contractor and the builder.

Certain construction site practices can also attract new pests (rodents, flies, yellowjackets, and mosquitoes) that are looking for food and nesting or breeding sites. These pests can be an annoyance and a health hazard for workers and visitors (and the outlying neighbor-hood). To avoid pest problems at construction and demolition sites, contractors and subcontractors need to:

Practice good trash management and proper sanitation to minimize food for pests.

Separate Food Waste - Food scraps and waste should not be allowed in construction debris containers. Instruct workers not to toss their food trash in with construction debris, but instead to use proper trash receptacles. Designate specific areas where workers may eat so that food waste can be contained within these locations. Equip these sites with adequately sized, heavy-duty and rodent-proof containers (e.g. 44-gallon) with covers (domed, with an entrance flap are best) and lined with a plastic bag.

Clean Trash Areas Daily - Monitor and clean the site daily in late afternoon so that food debris and waste is not available for night-foraging rodents, raccoons and other animals.

Trash containers should be emptied and the trash should either be taken off site or placed in a dumpster with a tight-fitting lid and with an intact drain plug. Clean up any trash around dumpsters and make sure the dumpster lid is closed. Make sure dumpsters are emptied frequently to avoid overflowing and are washed out monthly.

Check Portable Toilets - Make sure that portable toilets are regularly emptied and cleaned and that the waste is adequately treated with chemicals to prevent flies from breeding.

Manage the construction site to avoid creating nesting, hiding and breeding areas for pests.

Remove Debris Piles Regularly - Do not allow debris or construction materials to accumulate and remain undisturbed as they provide safe and secure rodent harborage. Keep fence lines clear of trash and debris. Patrol and clean up this perimeter daily, preferable in late afternoon.

Avoid Using Straw Bales for Erosion Control - When straw bales sit in standing water, the decomposing straw provides a perfect egg-laying site for mosquitoes. Remove and discard any old or unused straw bales. Keep any catch basins clear, functioning, and free of soil and straw, which provide ideal burrowing sites for rodents.

Keep the Area Weed-Free - Weeds provide cover for rodents, particularly along fence lines, walls, construction trailers, and other structures.

Set up two-way communication between the construction contractor and workers, and the pest control contractor.

Work With an Onsite Contact - Ask that a person on site be designated as your contact for pest control issues. This is your "go-to" person in case of problems with site sanitation, weed control, accumulated debris, etc. Make sure you have authorization to enter fenced areas (subject to safety considerations), and notify the job foreman or your site contact when you are on site.

Educate Construction Workers - Train contractors on the importance of good site sanitation and its role in pest control. Ask workers to report any evidence of rodents or other pests to your site contact person who will then pass pest sightings on to you.

Make Sure They Respect Your Equipment- Ask construction workers not to open or move any rodent bait stations or traps without first contacting you. Ask them to be careful to avoid damaging rodent bait stations, and to let you know of any damaged stations so that you can replace them.

The authors are well-known industry consultants and co-owners of Pinto & Associates.