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Faculty of Science and Engineering

Pest control in Engineering Building A

07 Mar 2024

Building users should familiarise themselves with updated guidance and measures around pest control within MECD buildings

Over the recent colder months, the ongoing pest situation has worsened in Engineering Building A workspace. In response to this situation, various pest control measures are being carried out throughout the building, and our House Services team are making every effort to ensure areas are routinely cleaned to the highest standards.

This issue however, cannot be resolved without the cooperation of colleagues working in the building and maintaining a safe and clean working environment is everyone’s responsibility. To support the ongoing work of Service Delivery and House Services teams, all staff and post graduate researchers are asked to follow the updated guidance:  

  • No food or leftovers should be left out in workspace unless covered in a sealed reusable container (e.g. plastic, glass or metal). From this point on, if food is clearly left unattended or out in open plan or communal areas outside of our normal operating hours, our House Services colleagues will dispose of it to prevent it attracting pests.
  • When disposing of leftover and unwanted food always use green food waste caddies in your nearest kitchenette, as this limits the spread of food contamination. Waste from these cadies is externally used to generate energy as part of our sustainability goals.
  • Please make sure your workspace is kept as tidy and as free of clutter as possible, as this decreases opportunity for pests to hide and shelter. This includes correctly disposing of lightweight material (e.g. cardboard) so pests cannot take away and use to nest.
  • There have been a small number of reports of plants showing signs of pest infestation, including bites to leave and disturbance to the soil where pests may have burrowed to bury food. We encourage colleagues keeping plants in their workspace to brighten up their surroundings, but we ask they are regularly checked and are removed or disposed of if there are any signs of infestation.

To support your efforts the frequency of bin collections has been changed so that bins in workspace areas will now be emptied during the morning and at the end of the working day to reduce food waste in the building overnight.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our Service Delivery Team at TEAM@manchester.ac.uk