Summer Pest-Prevention Tips
Pest complaints aren’t just icky—they’re a contract killer. Thats’s why summer pest prevention should be a key part of your mid-year cleaning strategy.
In the 2022 Facility Cleaning Decisions Complaints Survey, pest/bug problems were the single biggest occupant gripe for 11% of facility managers, and 23% still hear about bugs at least every two weeks. When summer infestations show up in restrooms or breakrooms, cleaning providers are often the first to get an angry call—and the first to get replaced if the problem lingers.
Below is a sharpened, summer pest prevention game plan—rooted in Vanguard’s brand values of consistency, professionalism, and proactive care—to keep people comfortable and pests permanently out of sight
1. Button Up the Building Envelope
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Monthly perimeter walks
- Check door sweeps, window screens, loading-dock seals; a pencil-thin gap is an open invitation for ants and spiders.
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Refresh caulk and mortar
- Focus on pipe penetrations, foundation cracks, expansion joints.
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After-hours vigilance
- Keep dock doors and rear entrances shut when not in active use.
Sealing gaps is a top priority in workplace bug control!
2. Eliminate Standing Water - Inside and Out
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Roof & gutter routine
- Clear debris so rainwater flows freely.
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HVAC drip pans and condensate lines
- Clean or replace pans; ensure lines drain away from the foundation.
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Parking-lot drainage
- After storms, inspect low spots where water lingers and schedule re-grading if needed.
Quick Fact
Mosquitoes need just a bottle-cap of water to breed!
Mosquitoes can develop from egg to adult in as little as 5-7 days in warm weather, according to the City of San Diego.
3. Keep It Cool, Keep It Dry
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Target 40–60 % relative humidity indoors
- Lower RH discourages cockroaches and silverfish.
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Replace HVAC filters on schedule to prevent moisture in ducts.
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Smart-thermostat setbacks
- Don’t let spaces exceed ~78 °F after hours; higher temps draw pests indoors.
4. Food & Waste Management - Your First Line of Defense
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Break-room basics
- Lidded trash cans, wiped counters, daily floor sweep.
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Nighty trash removal is one of the most effective commercial pest control cleaning tips
- Vanguard best practice: bag, stage, and remove before the crew leaves.
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Dumpster distance
- Keep dumpsters ≥ 15 ft. from doors; power-wash mid-summer when residue builds fastest.
5. Trim and Rethink Vegetation
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Remove “bridges”
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Maintain a 24-inch clearance between landscaping and exterior walls to remove “bridges” for carpenter ants or rodents.
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Plant deterrents
- Rosemary, lavendar, or lemongrass near entries are excellent natural repellents for flies and mosquitos
Quick Fact
A 2020 survey revealed that a large majority (86%) of pest control customers are described as environmentally conscious.
Choosing green options for workplace bug control will make a postive impact and be aesthetically pleasing, too!
6. Rethink Your Lighting
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Warm-LED swap-outs
- “Cool” white or UV-heavy bulbs attract insects; warmer LEDs can cut activity dramatically.
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Angle fixtures down or add shields so light doesn’t spill onto doorways
7. Sync Up with a Licensed Pest-Control Partner
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Share cleaning logs so techs see sanitation weak spots.
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Apply low-odor, facility-safe treatments after Vanguard crews finish—clean surfaces let baits and barriers work.
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Hold quarterly joint inspections (janitorial supervisor + pest tech + facility manager) to tackle emerging hot spots.
Final Thoughts
Summer pest prevention isn’t a one-and-done chore; it’s an ongoing rhythm of inspection, cleaning, and collaboration. By sealing entry points, managing moisture and food waste, and syncing with pest professionals, you’ll keep employees happy—and bugs off the complaint list.
Need help implementing commercial pest control cleaning tips that work?
Let Vanguard help with workplace bug control strategies that keep your facility clean and complaint-free.
Vanguard Cleaning Systems of Minnesota & Wisconsin can tailor programs—drain maintenance, high-frequency trash removal, mid-season deep cleans—that fit your facility and budget.