One of the biggest threats that many closed businesses will have to face is the possibility of a serious pest infestation, which may have established while their premises were left without any activity and unguarded from pests.

Property owners have a legal obligation under the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949 to keep premises rodent free, or, if rodents pose a threat to health or property, to report infestations to the local authority.

Owners of food businesses also have obligations to keep premises pest free under the Food Safety Act 1990.

Pest control has been designated as an essential service, and there has still been access to Covid-19 secure, professional services in the pandemic, even in lockdown.

If pest management visits have been maintained, then properties and businesses should be in a good position to reopen safely.

However, when we start to emerge from the third lockdown, there could be some cleaning professionals returning to those premises left empty who might face issues with pests.

If pest control services have been stopped, then the worst-case scenario when re-opening is that a pest infestation has been given weeks or months of free time and space to feed, breed and damage the building and the contents within.

Rodents won’t only damage the food they actually want; but will also gnaw through other packaging, as well as wood, cables and some soft metals. This behaviour can cause serious damage such as burst water pipes, faulty electronics and, in rare circumstances, pose a fire risk.

In these unprecedented times, we need to ensure that effective pest management is implemented, to support the work of cleaning professionals across the UK.