Residential vs. Commercial Pest Control: What’s the Difference?

Residential vs. Commercial Pest Control: What’s the Difference?

When we think of pest control, we often picture a technician treating a house for any pest problems that exist there. But unless you’re a business owner, you may not think of commercial pest control as a necessity, especially if the business doesn’t serve food or drinks. Commercial pest control covers apartments and dorms in addition to typical businesses, so there is more to it than we may think. Pest control is actually just as important for businesses as it is for homes, since no one wants to spend time in a pest infestation in either place. Since a business is different than a house in multiple ways, is the pest control completely dissimilar between the two? The short answer is a midway “not really,” but let’s look at some of the common similarities and differences between the two establishments and their pest control.

The Pests Involved

Residential: Although there are some pretty common pests that can affect all kinds of places, there are some that seem to appear more often in homes than businesses. One such pest is the bed bug. Since houses have more fabric in every room, they are more susceptible to these hidden insects than spacious businesses. Bed bugs obviously love beds, but they can also survive in other kinds of furniture, like couches and chairs. Ants are another common pest in homes likely because of the openings around windows and doors, as well as a whole kitchen with plenty of food to attract them. The front yard and back yard also make it easier for ants to be a problem in homes, as they lead right up to the house and can provide convenient paths inside if the landscaping leads right up to the house. 

Commercial: Even “small” businesses are more open than most homes, which means that they have more room for larger pests to invade. Businesses typically are more prone to roaches and rats due to the open nature of the layout, as well as their proximity to other structures that could have pest problems themselves. If there is an abandoned building nearby, this is an even higher risk of spreading large pests to other businesses. They can have smaller pests as well, but the larger pests tend to be more comfortable in a more spacious area with random crumbs and debris from lots of foot traffic. 

Different Layouts

Residential: A house has multiple rooms with at least one window in most of them and various entry points, which is totally normal but not very helpful in the world of pests. Some of the more sneaky ones, like bed bugs and spiders, can go quite a long time without being noticed by the residents. The larger the house, the more risk there is of pests lurking in the shadows and corners. But the good news with a residential pest control service is that the dates and times of availability are often far more flexible than those of a business. Homeowners have to schedule around work, school, and their kids’ activities, but they can also compromise in areas that a commercial business can’t. This means that a residence could be treated sooner than a commercial business if the homeowner calls pest services soon enough. It’s not a guarantee, but it is a possibility that could mean the difference between a full-blown pest invasion and a small amount of pests that are stopped before they cause too much damage and headaches.

Commercial: Conversely, businesses have a few different factors for pest control technicians to keep in mind while providing treatments. In addition to potentially having a larger size and definitely having a different layout than a house, businesses also have very specific hours that they are available to be serviced. Just because a business is open does not mean that it’s ready for pest control services. Take a coffee shop for example; the manager would want to avoid having pest control services during the morning rush at all costs, since it would disrupt both the employees and the customers, as well as make it more difficult for the technician. If the business is being inspected soon for health code or other reasons, the proximity to that appointment makes a difference in the date and time that they would schedule pest control. Another factor is that different types of businesses are varied in their pest control needs. A restaurant will require varied treatments from a clothing store. All of this is important for the technician to know before going into the treatment, as it could mean the difference between pest problems being solved or not. 

Preventative Measures

Residential: Preventative pest control is relatively the same across the board: clean up any crumbs and spills, keep foods sealed, and fix any gaps in the window screens and doorways. But a residential preventative pest control service is important because it provides the homeowners with specific ways to keep pests out of the home, if the service is worth its salt. At the end of the inspection and treatment, the technician can provide the homeowners with professional advice and suggestions that they may not have gotten on their own. This makes the service valuable even after the visit is over. Preventative services for houses are usually scheduled on a quarterly or monthly basis, with the option of receiving treatments in between if there is a pest emergency. This is enough to keep the pests at bay and leave the homeowners with enough knowledge to feel comfortable in between services. 

Commercial: Although it’s important to know what chemicals and treatments are being applied to your space regardless of if it’s a home or business, commercial pest control may have stricter guidelines. Some types of pesticides can’t be used in food-serving establishments or sensitive environments, so the preventative measures must be effective enough to solve the pest problems without inadvertently damaging the specific business. This is why some establishments prefer to use traps and other methods of pest control rather than specific pesticides. The schedule of the treatments is up to the manager or business owner. Some opt for a monthly service, but there are quite a few businesses that go for the weekly treatments for maximum protection against pests. 

Reasons for Pest Control

Residential: There are three main reasons why homeowners opt for residential pest control. One is that they have a current pest problem and want to take care of it as soon as possible. They may not have had services beforehand, but they definitely want them now to solve the infestation problem. The second reason is that they have had an infestation of some kind in the past and wish to prevent that from happening again. There is nothing like finding your kitchen pantry filled with ants or a giant wasp’s nest on the eaves of the house, so it makes sense that preventing this from reoccurring is a top priority. The third cause for starting pest control services is moving into a new house. The age of the house may have an effect on the likelihood of pest infestations, but it is not a guarantee that a brand new house will not experience pest problems. There have been numerous instances where people move into their new home, only to find that they also inherited a sugar ant problem or a favorite vacation spot of rodents. Whatever the reason for starting pest control, the important thing to remember is that you don’t have to tackle any pest problem alone.

Commercial: Businesses and group residences can start pest control services for the same reasons as a house, but many of them have the added pressure of needing to have proof of using a pest control service. They may need to provide proof that their establishment is serviced by a professional company a certain amount of times per year. As mentioned earlier, they also have to comply with health codes and meet a certain standard to remain in business, and pest control is a major part of that. Some businesses may be more at risk of an infestation just based on their location and products being sold, in addition to what is being held in the back rooms. A storage room full of cardboard boxes is not the most secure one in the world, since pests like roaches and rodents love to use cardboard for shelter. 

Information Age

Residential: One of the largest benefits of living in a time defined by advancements in technology is the fact that we can look up just about any question that comes to mind and find a multitude of instant answers. This relates to pest control because many homeowners like to research any pests they see in order to have some idea of what they are dealing with before calling the pest control company. They may also try to solve the issue themselves first, which could be beneficial and productive. But depending on the type of pest and the size of the infestation, it may not be the best idea to use DIY methods. 

Commercial: Since businesses have to adhere to health codes and pass inspections, they need to be on top of any kind of pest problem in the building. It is also very possible for the business owners to research their pest issues before calling in the pros, so that they make it clear what exactly needs to be serviced. Another benefit of being in this time is that it is easy to get a copy of the technician’s report on every product and method that was used during every visit by asking for one. This will help in the long run if you need to state what was used for pest control to a sanitarian. 

Biggest Problems

Residential: To put it bluntly, any pest is a problem. A pest is a pest because it invades your space and conflicts with your everyday life. That being said, homes have different pest problems that are subjectively the worst. One is having stinging or biting insects around your family and pets. This goes beyond just an annoying inconvenience, as being stung by a wasp or bitten by a spider is a health hazard. Home is a place to relax and be comfortable, not worry about being attacked by a tiny aggressor. The second major pest problem is any food being ruined. Not only is this an expensive issue, since you have to buy new food in replacement, but it is a different kind of health hazard. If someone were to accidentally eat food that was contaminated by roach excrement or dead ants, it could be a big problem. This is why keeping all food properly sealed and put away is very important, no matter what kind of pest issues you may have had in the past. 

Commercial: In addition to the major health concerns that arise with the presence of any pests, commercial businesses have an additional large problem with the possibility of pest invasions: reputation (and we’re not talking about the Taylor Swift album). A business’s reputation can be easily ruined with the sighting of an insect or rodent invasion by a customer. And with how quickly word spreads these days, thanks to online review sites and social media, it could be an even bigger problem than the already frustrating pest issues. It makes sense why this would be a devastating blow for a business; seeing a rat in a restaurant or roaches in a coffee shop would not make most people want to return there.

Pointe Pest Control is Here for Homes and Businesses

Whether you’re a homeowner, a business owner, or both, pest control services are valuable. They can actually save you money in the long run, even if it doesn’t feel that way when you sign up for them. The services, when done thoroughly and correctly, will prevent destructive pests from causing expensive damage to the house or building. Our trained and experienced technicians know exactly what to look for when doing inspections and treatments, and can help with all kinds of pest problems. Contact our team today to learn how we can keep your home or business from becoming a pest haven.

Citations

Meek, F. (2003, October 7). [Focus on service] commercial vs. residential. Pest Control Technology. Available at https://www.pctonline.com/article/-focus-on-service–commercial-vs–residential/ (Accessed on June 9, 2022).