Operating a grocery or fast-food convenience store, a healthcare facility, or a food processing facility during the pandemic has been challenging on many levels.

Business owners and managers of facilities and properties are tasked not only with keeping businesses running and livelihoods afloat, but also with protecting people, products, and properties from potentially harmful pests as well as from bacteria and viruses.

This is why Clark Pest Control introduced its EssentialClean™ services for commercial clients. In any facility where business is done and people gather, peace of mind that that facility is as pest- and virus-free as possible must be provided.

EssentialClean services have been performed in an array of commercial facilities: food processing plants, manufacturing plants, warehouses, distribution centers, retail properties, offices, and recreational properties. For one Clark Pest Control team member, the list did not stop there.

Building important relationships

James Sanchez, a commercial sales representative at Clark’s Stockton, CA branch, recognized an opportunity to forge a partnership with a leading northern California homebuilder to provide EssentialClean services for new homes.

“We provided an EssentialClean service to their sales office,” says Sanchez, “where buyers reviewed floor plans or finalized purchases, and it got us thinking: ‘What if we offered this service to their new homes before families move in?’

“The peace of mind a new home buyer would receive, knowing their home had been professionally cleaned and disinfected before they move in, would be very reassuring,” he adds.

The homebuilder had used Clark Pest Control to handle its general pest control, but until Sanchez proposed the idea. it had not thought of providing disinfection services for its new builds or model homes.

“They knew us as a pest control company and were pleased we could expand our service offerings to meet a need,” Sanchez says.

A smooth process for the builder and buyer

Home builders have many moving parts when it comes to wrapping up construction of a new home and turning over the keys to the buyer. Clark set out to make the process hassle free for the builder and the buyer.

Clark preschedules the services monthly to coincide with the escrow-closing schedules. An average service takes 45 to 90 minutes, depending on the square footage of the house. Specially trained Clark service personnel carefully wipe down all high-touch surfaces, then use specialized equipment to distribute a misting application before letting it dry for 10 to 15 minutes.

Tear-away stickers are provided to the builder to place on doors to reinforce the message that no one has entered the home since the EssentialClean service was performed.

The disinfectant used is U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approved and labeled for use against a wide variety of pathogens. The product used kills 99.999% of bacteria and viruses on hard, non-porous surfaces. I’ts also non-toxic, non-irritant, and contains no ozone-harming volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and is mild on skin, hard surfaces, and fabrics.

“When you consider how many contractors, real estate agents, and potential buyers come through a new home before a family moves in, it makes sense to make sure there is no harmful bacteria left behind,” Sanchez says.

Extending the service

Sanchez recognizes there is an opportunity to provide EssentialClean services and deliver peace of mind for commercial clients engaged in the following industries:

• Property managers for apartment and condominium complexes may also consider EssentialClean when there is a change in residents, or for such public areas as laundry rooms, common areas, elevators, exercise rooms, etc. The service can also be offered to residents who test positive for the virus and want to have their unit disinfected.
  
• Real estate agents who want to disinfect properties between open-house events or private showings.
  
• Fleet managers for service companies (cable, plumbers, electricians, delivery services) or first-responder agencies (police, fire, ambulance).
  
• Manufacturing plants or customer service operations (call centers) where employees share workspaces on swing shifts.

Clark Pest Control remains committed to safeguarding your business from pests during these challenging times. Our service technicians use such personal protective equipment as gloves, masks and respirators, they practice social distancing, they call ahead to notify before a service, and they adhere strictly to all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines when servicing inside or outside your business.

If your company is looking for a pest management partner that understands your business and can help you protect your products, employees, and customers, call Clark Pest Control at (800) 936-3339.

https://www.clarkpest.com/commercial-service-blog/an-innovative-approach-to-disinfecting