Pest control briefing with Selassie TETTEY 

Protecting people, productivity, and profit

As we draw the curtains on another year of economic highs, market volatility, and rising operational standards, one element remains consistently underestimated in Ghana’s business environment: the power of structured pest management and fumigation in protecting business continuity.

Across industries from banking halls and warehouses to hospitality, health facilities, and manufacturing plants, pest control is not just an environmental or hygiene requirement. It is a strategic business imperative. This year has shown us that companies that take fumigation seriously are the ones that minimize avoidable losses, safeguard their reputation, and maintain operational efficiency.

Yet, many businesses still treat fumigation as a last minute, reactionary activity only triggered when pests become visible, when staff begin to complain, or worse, when customers notice.

As we wrap up the year, this is the right moment for Ghanaian businesses to rethink how they prioritize hygiene, health, and environmental safety.

Why fumigation must be part of your business strategy

1. Public Health Compliance Has Become Non-Negotiable

With increasing regulatory scrutiny from environmental health authorities, organizations are expected to maintain cleaner, safer, and healthier environments for both staff and customers. Poor pest management exposes businesses to health risks, hefty fines, forced shutdowns, and reputational damage. A well-structured fumigation plan ensures compliance throughout the year, not just during inspections.

2. The Cost of Infestation Is Much Higher Than the Cost of Prevention

Pests can cause significant damage to stock, equipment, documents, and infrastructure. For sectors like FMCG, food processing, retail, and hospitality, pest activity directly affects revenue and customer trust. One rodent sighting can cost a restaurant its entire online reputation. One cockroach spotted in a retail store can trigger social media outrage. One termite attack can destroy an archive of records and cost millions in restoration. Prevention is always cheaper than emergency treatment.

3. Employee Wellbeing Directly Influences Productivity

A clean, pest free environment is a silent catalyst for staff morale and productivity. Employees work better when they feel safe, comfortable, and protected from health hazards. Prioritizing fumigation is not just a facilities issue. It is a human capital investment.

2025 Trends: What We Observed in Ghana’s Workplaces  

This year, three major patterns emerged across the businesses we served:

Increase in rodent activity, especially in commercial warehouses and food related industries, due to poor waste management and structural loopholes. Rise in cockroach and ant infestations in offices as hybrid work patterns disrupted traditional cleaning schedules. Higher demand for eco-friendly and non-toxic fumigation solutions, driven by health-conscious staff and sustainability focused executives. These trends highlight one truth: pests adapt quickly, but most businesses do not. This is why adopting a proactive fumigation culture must be a priority in the coming year.

A Year End Checklist for Every Business

Before your office closes for the holidays, ensure that you:

• Conduct a full site fumigation to eliminate pests before the building goes inactive.
• Deep clean washrooms, kitchens, cafeterias, and waste areas.
• Seal access points such as cracks, broken windows, and drainage openings.
• Review your 2024 pest activity log (or begin one if you don’t have it).
• Schedule a quarterly fumigation plan for 2026.

Ending the year with a clear space ensures you begin the next one without inherited problems.

Looking Ahead: The Case for Quarterly Fumigation in 2026

The best performing businesses prioritize structure. In 2026, organizations must start incorporating fumigation into their annual operational plans just like maintenance, financial audits, or compliance checks. Quarterly fumigation offers:

• Predictability in cost and budgeting
• Better monitoring and early detection
• Improved environmental safety
• Long term savings and fewer operational disruptions

For industries with high human traffic or sensitive materials, monthly treatments may be more appropriate.

The Final Word: Protect Your Space, Protect Your Business

Your workspace influences your productivity, brand perception, team performance, and customer experience. A strategically fumigated environment is more than just a clean office. It is a reflection of leadership, excellence, and responsibility. As we step into a new year, businesses must ask themselves: “Are we creating environments that protect our people and strengthen our performance? “Let 2026 be the year you elevate hygiene, safety, and fumigation from a reactive expense into a proactive investment.

Because every thriving business begins with a healthy, protected space.

 

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