Bug Infestation

[jeffindetail]

Working for a dealership, I get this problem on a semi regular basis. On the lighter end of the scale, we had a pretty bad ant infestation in the grass over the summer. Pretty much every vehicle parked along curbs with grass eventually wound up with ants in them. On the more serious end, is a German cockroach infestation. Oddly, most of the roach vehicles aren’t are from customers who aren’t even in for that issue. They’re usually in for mechanical issues, but the mechanic refuses to work on them until the roaches are removed and unfortunately it becomes my problem.

Removing the ants is fairly easy, I use a non-odor, no mess fogger from the hardware stores. I set it off upright, on the floor, let it work for at least 2 hours and air it out just as long. Then come in and vacuum up the ants. The German cockroaches are a nightmare. First of all, they’re there because the vehicle is absolutely disgusting. Clean cars don’t accidentally get a German cockroach infestation. The best way to go about it is a complete interior removal and cleaning. Also a complete cleaning of the exterior, engine bay, and undercarriage. Foggers are needed and will kill them, but they are so resilient that during fogging, they’ll exit the vehicle and hangout in the exterior until the fumes dissipate. If you can somehow tent the vehicle, that may work. As for me, most of the time there isn’t time or money for this much work. So, what we usually do multiple foggings, followed by an interior detail and that’s followed by more foggings. Sometimes you get them completely. Sometimes you just reduce the population and that’s good enough for the mechanic to do what he needs to do.

Does anyone here deal deal with this regularly? Do any of you just walk away from these jobs? If you do tackle these jobs, what methods do you use?

 

[FUNX650]

Working for a dealership, I get this problem
on a semi regular basis.

On the lighter end of the scale, we had
a pretty bad ant infestation in the grass
over the summer. Pretty much every
vehicle parked along curbs with grass
eventually wound up with ants in them.

On the more serious end, is a German cock-
roach infestation. Oddly, most of the roach
vehicles aren’t are from customers who aren’t
even in for that issue. They’re usually in for
mechanical issues,

but the mechanic refuses to work on them
until the roaches are removed and
unfortunately it becomes my problem.

Removing the ants is fairly easy, I use a non-odor,
no mess fogger from the hardware stores.

•It was always difficult for me to work for
someone that believed that one employee
was/is “better” than another one.
-Note: I always enjoyed setting the
record straight...


•Are you sufficiently trained, and subsequently
certified, in the usage of pest control chemicals
in the workplace environment? For example:
-(Correct) Identification of pests.
{In this particular case: determining what
species of ants is paramount in determining
the proper pest control chemicals/program.}

-Where are the SDS’es for these pest control
chemicals kept at this Dealership?

-What personal protective equipment is
provided by the Dealership for its employees
when pest control chemicals are being applied?

-Etc.; etc.


•IMO:
-Time for the Dealership’s management to
make the effort to have a local pest control
company on speed-dial: represents at least
one act of showing respect for some of their
employees’ well-being.



Bob

 

[jeffindetail]

I’m absolutely not trained or qualified to for pest control, but the products are not professional grade. Just standard stuff from the pest control section at big box hardware stores. We have standard safety wear like gloves, glasses, & masks. I just read the instructions for recommended use on the product packaging.

I’m sorry, but I had an LOL moment when you mentioned respect for employees and dealership management. We don’t even have pest control for the property. I have to keep the spiders away in my department. “Over the counter” products are used here as well.

 

[FUNX650]

^^^ Understood ^^^

However, IMO:
If an EPA auditor should ever make an
unannounced appearance, this Dealership
better have an unimpeded prayer-line to
the powers-that-be.


Bob

 

[jeffindetail]

I would say it’s more of an OSHA issue than EPA, but even then the products are deemed safe enough for anyone in the general public to purchase and use themselves. That being the case, I don’t think they have much to worry about there. Although, there’s plenty of other things they can get in trouble for.

 

[FUNX650]

I would say it’s more of an OSHA issue
than EPA, but even then the products are
deemed safe enough for anyone in the
general public to purchase and use themselves.

That being the case, I don’t think they have
much to worry about there. Although, there’s
plenty of other things they can get in trouble for.

•Alas...I’m quite saddened by your:

-(seemingly) indifference to having been
“selected” as this Dealership’s on-site
pestilence mitigator;

-almost cavalier approach to using pest control
chemicals on/around this Dealership’s premises;
and, in close proximity to your fellow employees;

-having to work with “too gooders”.


Best of Luck,

Bob

 

[jeffindetail]

Does it feel good to be viewed as less than others? No, but that is life detailing at a dealership. You have to let it roll off your shoulders at some point if you’re going to work in that setting because it is at every turn believe me. Maybe I’ve gotten too use to appeasement rather than going through the hassle of listening to the succession of managers yell and spew threats.

As for treating my work area. Our facility is like a pavilion. It’s more an outside than inside setting, so spiders are a major problem. Spraying the area is for me and my people because no one else is doing anything about it and this is preferable to having spiders swinging from the ceiling.