Document Title: PEST CONTROL PROCEDURE

Document Reference/Register no: 08024 Version 4.0

Number:

Document type: (Policy/ Guideline/ Procedure To be followed All Staff

SOP) by: (Target Staff)

Ratification Issue Date: 30th October 2019 Review Date: 29th October 2022
(Date document is uploaded onto the
intranet)

Developed in response to: The Control of Pesticides Regulations (1986) (as amended
1998)
Contributes to HSC Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014(Part
3); and CQC Regulations 2009 (Part 4)
CQC Fundamental Standards of Quality and Safety: 8 & 10
Issuing Division/Directorate: Estates & Facilities Management

Author/Contact: (Asset Administrator) Sam Wallace, Estates Operations Manager

Hospital Sites: MEHT

(tick appropriate box/es to indicate BTUH
status of policy review i.e. joint/ SUH
independent)
Consultation: (Refer to page 2)

Approval Group / Committee(s): EFM Board Date: 25th October 2019

Professionally Approved by: (Asset Garry Bardsley, EFM Site Date: 25th October 2019
Owner) Manager

Ratification Group(s): DRAG Chair’s Action Date: 30th October 2019

Executive and Clinical Directors Date: October 2019 Distribution Intranet & Website
(Communication of minutes from Method:
Document Ratification Group)
 Pest Control/08024/4.0

Consulted With: Post/ Approval Committee/ Group: Date:

Lee Stuckey Head of Health & Safety (MSE) 12th September 2019
Steve Lewis Health & Safety Manager
Georgina Sawyer Deputy Domestics Manager
Andy Wright Domestics Manager
Jim Dorrian Logistics & Security Manager
Kevin Chinnery LSMS

Related Trust Policies (to be read in 04041 Uniform Policy

conjunction with) 04088 Waste Management Policy
08023 Food Hygiene Policy

Document Review History:

Version No: Authored/Reviewer: Summary of amendments/ Issue Date:
Record documents superseded by:
1.0 20th March 2008
1.1 Jo Mitchell & Angela Update to include Infection Prevention & 27/08/09
Hyman EIA
2.0 Jim Dorrian Review 27th October 2011
3.0 Jim Dorrian Review November 2014
4.0 Sam Wallace Full Review 30th October 2019

2
 Pest Control/08024/4.0

Index

1. Purpose
2. Introduction
3. Scope
4. Roles and Responsibilities
5. Evidence of Pests
6. General Control Measures
7. Reporting
8. Infection Prevention
9. Auditing and Monitoring
10. Communication and Implementation
11. Equality Impact Assessment
12. References
13. Appendices
Appendix 1: Individual pests and wildlife (including but not exclusive)
Appendix 2: Preliminary Equality Analysis

3
 Pest Control/08024/4.0

1. Purpose
1.1 The purpose of this policy is to ensure that the Trust recognises its legal and
moral obligations in relation to Pest Control, and ensure that a preventative
pest control supplier is available to respond to requests and provides a
preventative service.

2. Introduction
2.1 To meet infection prevention requirements it is necessary to ensure that all
hospital premises are kept free from pests.

2.2 There are a number of animals that can be considered pests within the
Healthcare setting and have the potential to cause disease or harm. These
can range from mammals, such as foxes, mice, rats and squirrels; insects
such as ants, pharaoh ants, cockroaches, beetles, wasps and spiders;
parasites such as bed bugs, mites, lice and some birds, including pigeons.

2.3 Apart from the possibility of disease transmission, food may be tainted and
spoiled, fabric and building structure damaged. Furthermore, Pharaoh’s ants
have been responsible for the penetration of sterile packs and the invasion of
patients’ dressings, including those used on wounds.

2.4 Pest control is a specialist problem, which requires immediate attention.

3. Scope
3.1 This policy applies to all Trust staff and premises.

4. Roles and Responsibilities

4.1 The Chief Executive has overall responsibility to the Trust to ensure
adequate pest control services are provided.

4.2 Chief Estates & Facilities Officer is responsible for ensuring that a pest
control service is in place within the Estates and Facilities directorate which is
regularly reviewed and monitored.

4.3 EFM Site Manager has the delegated responsibility for ensuring that where
reasonably practicable the guidance relating to pest control management is
implemented and maintained where resource allows within Trust agreed
financial limits. For buildings that are maintained by the Trust the
accountability for pest control is given to the EFM Site Manager who devolves

4
 Pest Control/08024/4.0

this responsibility to the Estates Operations Manager and to other officers of

the estates department.

4.3 The Authorised Officer (Estates Operations Manager) is responsible for the
management of the pest control Service and providing guidance on
appropriate action to be taken in the absence of a specialist pest control
officer.

4.4 All Staff

All employees are responsible for their own safety and the safety of others
due to their actions or inactions with respect to Health and Safety Law. Staff
must ensure they are aware of the procedures for reporting any sighting or
evidence of infestation.

5. Evidence of Pests
5.1 A summary of the types of pests and wildlife and their impacts can be seen in
Appendix 1.

5.2 Below are the main sources of evidence of pests:

 Live or dead insects or rodents;

 Droppings;
 Eggs, maggots, pupae and maggot casings;
 Chewed packaging and spilled food;
 Gnawed wood, cables, pipes;
 Paw prints in spilled food;
 Black greasy marks around pipes and holes on walls and skirting’s.

6. General Control Measures

6.1 Food needs to be kept covered and any spilt food must be cleared up as
soon as possible.

6.2 Ensure that there are no areas of static water such as puddles, either in the
building or in the immediate grounds.

6.3 Do not feed pigeons, foxes, wild cats etc. with left over food as this
encourages pest and results in soilage from droppings.

6.4 Treatment with insecticides and rodenticides is rarely enough and it is

essential that attention be paid to good general hygiene and structural
maintenance.

5
 Pest Control/08024/4.0

6.5 Buildings should be well maintained, drains covered, damaged surfaces

repaired, access holes sealed and leaking pipe work repaired. All of these
can provide access to pests.

6.6 Close fitting windows and doors, fly screens and bird netting all help to
reduce access to health care environments.

7. Reporting and Responsibilities

7.1 All staff sighting a pest or evidence of pests within the hospital premises
must report the incident immediately via Facilities Helpdesk on extension
6000.

7.2 Once call is logged, the job request will be entered on to the Pest Sighting
Log and on to the Pest Control Register.

7.3 The information required will include:

 The location i.e. clinical area or department and room;

 The type of pest if known;
 The possible numbers and frequency of sighting;
 The name of the person reporting;
 If feasible, insects etc. can be captured and kept in a clean container.

7.4 If evidence of pests is severe the Authorised Officer in Facilities should be

contacted to give advice on usage of the area whilst awaiting the pest
control contactor.

7.5 The Manager of the area will liaise closely with the pest control service
provider and is responsible for the follow-up monitoring and reporting to
General Office any further sightings to ensure that the pest has been
eradicated.

8. Infection Prevention
8.1 In the event of severe evidence of pests, the Authorised Officer should be
informed and alert Infection Prevention to provide expert advice of potential
risks to patient, staff and visitors which may involve vacating an area.

6
 Pest Control/08024/4.0

9. Auditing and Monitoring

9.1 Adherence to this procedure will be tested as part of the EFM internal
assurance process as outlined below.

Aspect of Monitoring Individual Frequency Group / Committee / forum Committee /

compliance or Method department of the which will receive the individual
effectiveness responsible monitoring findings/monitoring report responsible for
being for the activity ensuring the
monitored monitoring actions are
completed
Policy Audit Policy Audit BDU Every 2 EFM Board EFM Site Manager
years
Incidents Incident H&S Monthly Health and Safety EFM Site Manager
Reporting Committee

10. Communication and Implementation

10.1 The policy will be made available on the Trust’s intranet and website.

10.2 The approved policy will be notified in the Trust’s staff newsletter that is sent
via e-mail to all staff.

11. Equality Impact Assessment

11.1 The directorate is committed to the provision of a service that is fair,
accessible and meets the needs of all individuals. The preliminary equality
impact assessment has been completed as seen in Appendix 2.

12. References
Code of Practice of the British Pest Control Association.
http://www.bpca.org.uk/pages/index.cfm

The Control of Pesticides Regulations (1986) (as amended 1998).

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/26/contents

7
 Pest Control/08024/4.0

APPENDIX 1

INDIVIDUAL PESTS AND WILDLIFE (INCLUDING BUT NOT EXCLUSIVE)

1. Houseflies

Significance: Houseflies can transmit intestinal worms or their eggs and are potential vectors of
disease such as dysentery, gastro-enteritis, typhoid, cholera and tuberculosis. They will frequent
and feed indiscriminately on any liquefiable solid food, putrefying material or food stored for
human consumption.

Control: Flies have rapid, prolific breeding habits and high mobility. In order to break the life-
cycle,
Control measures should be directed against larval and adult flies.

Hygiene/Management: Satisfactory hygiene is necessary to limit potential breeding sites and

food sources. Entry of flies into buildings can be prevented by 1.12mm mesh fly screen, air
cushions, bead screens or self-closing door equipment with rubber seals and maintained
electronic fly traps.

2. Cockroaches

Distribution: Cockroaches are common in premises associated with the production or handling
of food. Gregarious and nocturnal they spend the day hiding in cracks and crevices around
areas such as sinks, drains, cookers, the backs of cupboards and in refrigerator motor
compartments. They favour buildings with service ducts and complex plumbing installations
which allow them to travel freely.

Significance: Cockroaches are potential vectors of disease such as dysentery, gastro-enteritis,

typhoid, and poliomyelitis. Their diet is omnivorous and includes fermenting substances, soiled
dressings, hair, leather, parchment, wallpaper, faeces and food for human consumption. The
latter may be contaminated either by the mechanical transfer of causative agents of disease
from the insect’s body, or by transmission in the faeces.

Control: Monitoring and control is essential although successful control of cockroaches is a

complex subject, and depends very much upon tailoring control measures to the species
concerned.
Infestations can be difficult to control as cockroach eggs are poorly penetrated by insecticides.
Consequently surveillance of the area by the pest control contractor may need to be prolonged.

Hygiene/Management: A high standard of hygiene will deny sources of food and hiding places.

8
 Pest Control/08024/4.0

3. Ants

Black Ants: Foraging worker ants cause a nuisance as they travel widely in search of food,
following well-defined trails and clustering around the food source. Sweet foods are preferred.
They are obviously an unpleasant sight and may damage food for human consumption.

Pharaoh’s Ants: These 2mm omnivorous light brown ants are half the size of the black ants.
They cannot breed without artificial heat, are very persistent and pose a serious cross infection
risk in hospitals. The ants may be found in wall cavities, heating pipes, behind sinks and ovens
and therefore in laundry, linen rooms, clinical and residential areas. They are particularly
attracted to sweet or light protein.

Hygiene/Management: Although frequently inaccessible and difficult to destroy, ants nests

must be eradicated. If
infestation is to be successfully controlled, hormone treatment is required which sterilises the
female ant.

4. Wasps

Wasp stings cause pain and distress. Some individuals are particularly sensitive. Wasp nests
are only used for one season, so it may be possible to put up with the problem temporarily.
They are often found in cavities in brickwork, in air bricks and roof vents. The nest can be
treated by the Trust’s pest control contractor; such work may be best carried out in the evening
or weekend as poisoned stupefied wasps can cause problems. Particular attention should be
paid to areas around rubbish bins that should be kept in a hygienic condition.

5. Other Insect Pests

There are many other insect pests that occur sporadically in hospitals. The most common of
these being flies of various species, crickets, silverfish and the stored product insects and mites
which can be found infesting dried foods such as flour weevils.

6. Mice and Rats

These are the vertebrates with greatest potential for damage to food stocks and building fabric
in hospitals. Modern rodenticides are extremely efficient in the eradication of mice and rats from
hospitals.

The Trust will notify the relevant local authority of any infestation of its land or buildings by rats
and mice in “substantial numbers” as required by the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949.

Rodents have been known to gnaw through electric cables and cause fires. All sightings and
other evidence of their presence should be reported to the Local Site Manager/Administrator.

The Trust will take reasonable steps to ensure that its buildings are rodent proofed by, for
example, fitting collars where pipes pass through walls and by filling gaps in the building fabric,
etc.
All food and organic waste shall be kept in rodent proof containers.

9
 Pest Control/08024/4.0

7. Bats

Bats are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Conservation (Natural
Habitats, etc) Regulations 1994. The penalties for contravention are severe.

If bats are discovered in any of the Trust’s buildings or on any of its land they must not under
any circumstances be killed, expelled, stopped from gaining access, touched or disturbed.
Contractors must be prevented from doing work anywhere near them. English Nature should be
contacted for advice. www.naturalengland.org.uk.

8. Birds

The nuisance of birds can be controlled in the first instance by preventative measures, e.g.
blocking of nesting holes and the application of devices to discourage perching. Netting and
trapping can also be considered with the aim of immediate release away from the area/location
of capture. As a last resort birds may be culled by shooting with the approval of the Trust Chief
Executive and local police authority. No attempt should be made to poison them. Whichever
method is employed it should take into account whether the birds are currently in a nesting
season or whether they are protected by law. Advice should be sought from the Royal Society
for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).

9. Squirrels

The most serious damage in urban areas arises where the squirrel enters the roof spaces of
houses by climbing the walls or jumping from nearby trees. Once inside, they chew woodwork,
ceilings, insulation or electrical wiring or tear up the loft insulation to form a drey. The best
method of control is to proof the building/loft. Prevention is better than cure. If a cure is required
the best form of control is trapping with the use of a squirrel trap.

10. Foxes

Foxes in this country may occasionally spread disease such as toxocara and leptospirosis but
the risk is believed to be small. More significantly foxes do cause nuisance in a number of ways.
During the mating season the noise of barks and blood curdling screams proliferate and in
addition to the feeding habits described above there is the damage to gardens caused when
digging for food and of course the indiscriminate depositing of faeces. Killing foxes in urban
areas is both unnecessary and unlikely to provide a long-term solution as other foxes move in to
vacant territories.

11. Rabbits

Rabbits can cause great damage by burrowing under buildings and putting at risk the
foundations of buildings, however there is strict guidelines on their removal so please contact
the nominated officer for advice. This applies to any suspected myxomatosis cases.

10
 Pest Control/08024/4.0

12. Moles

Moles are a widespread species and are not protected by conservation legislation, only having
basic protection from cruelty under the Wild Mammals Protection Act 1996.

The mole is a common British mammal and, although not often seen, the results of its
tunnelling are well known and may cause damage in a range of situations. In gardens and
amenity areas, molehills and tunnels can be a nuisance. In agriculture, contamination of grass
by soil may lead to poor quality silage being produced. There is also a risk of damaging grass
cutting machinery. Mole runs may disturb roots and adversely affect plant growth.

Before carrying out any mole control, it is important to consider if such action is warranted or if
the molehills and tunnels can be tolerated. Where control measures can be justified, there are
two main methods, trapping or poisoning with aluminium phosphide. Please note that strychnine
hydrochloride can no longer be legally purchased or used for mole control in the UK.

11
 Pest Control/08024/4.0

Appendix 2: Preliminary Equality Analysis

This assessment relates to Pest Control Policy (MEHT-08024)
A change in a service to A change to an existing policy X A change to the way staff work
patients
A new policy Something else
(please give details)
Questions Answers
1. What are you proposing to Formal Review of Pest Control Procedure
change?
2. Why are you making this As above
change?
(What will the change achieve?)
3. Who benefits from this change All staff and visitors
and how?
4. Is anyone likely to suffer any No
negative impact as a result of
this change? If no, please
record reasons here and sign and
date this assessment. If yes,
please complete a full EIA.
5. a) Will you be undertaking any Yes
consultation as part of this
change? Consultee list (pages 1 & 2)
b) If so, with whom?
Preliminary analysis completed by:

Name Sam Wallace Job Title Estates Operations Manager Date September 2019

12