Pest Control Audit - Care Homes

Evidence to check

• • Pest control policy is current, reviewed and accessible
• • Policy explains staff responsibilities, reporting routes, contractor involvement and emergency response
• • Policy covers kitchens, bedrooms, communal areas, laundry, waste areas, gardens and hidden spaces
• • Staff can explain what to do if they see signs of pest activity

Evidence to check

• • Current pest control contract or service agreement
• • Contract covers routine inspections, treatment, advice and emergency call-outs
• • Provider competence, licence, insurance and public health knowledge are evidenced
• • Response times are clear for high-risk issues such as rodents in kitchens or resident areas

Evidence to check

• • Pest control visit reports are available and current
• • Reports include areas inspected, findings, bait points, treatments and recommendations
• • Missed or delayed visits are followed up
• • Recommendations are transferred into the maintenance or quality action plan

Evidence to check

• • Central pest control logbook or digital tracker
• • Log includes staff sightings, contractor visits, treatments, actions and completion dates
• • Recurring issues are easy to identify from the log
• • Records are available for audit, inspection and governance review

Evidence to check

• • Named person responsible for pest control oversight
• • Contractor reports and action points are reviewed after each visit
• • Actions have owners, deadlines and completion evidence
• • Unresolved or repeat issues are escalated to the manager or provider

Evidence to check

• • Staff can describe signs such as droppings, gnaw marks, scratching noises, foul odours, nests, insects or damaged packaging
• • Reporting process is clear to care, kitchen, domestic, laundry and maintenance staff
• • Pest awareness is included in induction or relevant briefings
• • Reports from staff are recorded and acted on

Evidence to check

• • Pest sighting records include date, location, type of concern and immediate action
• • Contractor call-out records show response time
• • Affected areas are risk assessed, cleaned or restricted where needed
• • Follow-up checks confirm whether the issue has been resolved

Evidence to check

• • Walkaround checks include gaps, vents, doors, windows, drains, pipework and brickwork
• • Entry points are sealed promptly
• • External doors close properly and are not left open unnecessarily
• • Window screens, vents and drain covers are intact where required

Evidence to check

• • Waste is stored in sealed containers
• • Bins are emptied regularly and not overflowing
• • Waste storage areas are clean and free from spillage
• • Clinical, food and general waste are segregated and managed safely

Evidence to check

• • Kitchen and food storage walkaround shows no droppings, insects, chewed packaging or contamination
• • Food is covered, labelled and stored correctly
• • Cleaning schedules include hidden areas and under equipment
• • Any suspected contamination leads to safe disposal and escalation

Evidence to check

• • Dry goods are stored off the floor and away from walls where possible
• • Open packets are sealed or transferred to suitable containers
• • Stock rotation is evident
• • Expired, damaged or contaminated food is removed promptly

Evidence to check

• • Observation shows food spills are not left unattended
• • Cleaning equipment is available and used promptly
• • Staff understand that food debris attracts pests
• • Repeated spillage areas are reviewed and addressed

Evidence to check

• • Cleaning schedules include kitchens, dining rooms, lounges, bathrooms, sluices, boiler rooms, storage rooms, under cupboards and behind equipment
• • Cleaning records are completed and checked
• • Deep cleaning is scheduled where needed
• • Managers check quality of cleaning, not only signatures

Evidence to check

• • External bins have lids and are kept closed
• • Bins are positioned away from doors and windows where possible
• • Bin areas are clean, drained and free from food debris
• • Damaged bins or missed collections are escalated promptly

Evidence to check

• • Grounds are maintained with vegetation cut back from the building
• • Garden waste, clutter or unused items are not left against external walls
• • External storage areas are tidy and inspected
• • Signs of burrowing, nesting or pest access are reported

Evidence to check

• • Fly screens are fitted where risk assessment or environmental health guidance requires them
• • Screens are clean, intact and used correctly
• • Doors and windows in food areas are managed to prevent pest entry
• • Damaged screens are repaired promptly

Evidence to check

• • Laundry areas are clean, tidy and separated into clean and dirty processes
• • Soiled laundry is bagged and handled safely
• • Bedbug or infestation concerns trigger isolation, bagging, treatment and escalation procedures
• • Laundry trolleys, storage areas and machines are cleaned regularly

Evidence to check

• • Maintenance checks include pest entry points
• • Repairs are completed promptly after pest control recommendations
• • Pipe gaps, vents, drains, doors and windows are checked
• • Maintenance staff know how to escalate pest prevention concerns

Evidence to check

• • Monitoring devices are mapped and numbered where applicable
• • Devices are checked at agreed intervals
• • Bait boxes and traps are secure and not accessible to residents or visitors
• • Findings from devices are reviewed and acted on

Evidence to check

• • Recurring activity is analysed by location, type and possible source
• • Root causes such as drainage defects, food access, waste storage, broken vents or structural gaps are investigated
• • Remedial actions are completed and reviewed
• • Repeat infestations are escalated through governance

Evidence to check

• • Governance, health and safety or management meeting minutes include pest control where relevant
• • Pest trends, contractor recommendations and open actions are reviewed
• • High-risk pest issues are added to the risk register or quality improvement plan
• • Senior leaders monitor repeated or unresolved concerns

Evidence to check

• • COSHH assessments and treatment information are available
• • Bait and traps are placed securely and away from resident access
• • Treatment areas are clearly controlled where needed
• • Residents are protected from exposure, odours, allergens or distress during treatment

Evidence to check

• • Staff briefings or handovers include treatment areas and precautions
• • Residents are informed in an appropriate way where access or routine is affected
• • Signage or temporary restrictions are used where needed
• • Communication is respectful and avoids causing unnecessary alarm

Evidence to check

• • Contractor licence, insurance and competence records are current
• • COSHH information and safety data sheets are available for substances used
• • Treatment records identify products, locations, risks and precautions
• • The home checks contractor documentation rather than assuming compliance

Evidence to check

• • Contract includes emergency call-out arrangements
• • High-risk sightings, such as rodents in kitchens or resident bedrooms, are responded to urgently
• • Immediate controls are taken while waiting for the contractor
• • Delays are escalated and documented

Evidence to check

• • Infection prevention, environmental or premises audits include pest prevention checks
• • Audits cover waste, kitchen hygiene, laundry, bedrooms, storage and external areas
• • Actions from audits are tracked
• • Audit findings are compared with pest control contractor reports

Evidence to check

• • Incident records include pest infestations or significant sightings
• • Investigation considers resident safety, infection risk, food contamination and environmental causes
• • External reporting is considered where required, such as environmental health, commissioners or safeguarding where harm or neglect is suspected
• • Learning is recorded and shared with staff

Evidence to check

• • Policy or procedure review records
• • Changes are made after infestations, repeat sightings, contractor advice or audit findings
• • Staff are informed of updated procedures
• • Effectiveness of changes is reviewed

Evidence to check

• • Pest control evidence is organised and inspection-ready
• • Pest control actions are included in the quality improvement plan where needed
• • Leadership can explain how pest risk is managed
• • Compliance focuses on resident safety and dignity, not only contractor paperwork

Evidence to check

• • Audit includes walkaround checks of kitchens, waste areas, bedrooms, laundry, storage rooms and external areas
• • Staff knowledge and reporting practice are tested
• • Audit findings are compared with cleaning, maintenance and waste records
• • Actions lead to practical improvements that reduce pest risk

Evidence to check

• • Residents are supported sensitively if their room or belongings are affected
• • Personal items are handled respectfully during treatment or cleaning
• • Alternative arrangements are made where rooms cannot be used safely
• • Residents and families are communicated with honestly and compassionately where appropriate