Retail

Retail facilities face constant pest pressure from deliveries, foot traffic, open doors, food areas, stockrooms and waste. Pests can enter on merchandise and packaging, move between neighboring businesses or slip through small gaps, causing ongoing damage and posing health and safety concerns. 

Grocery stores, pharmacies, shopping centers, clothing and shipping stores all benefit from staying ahead of pest problems. An Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program combines prevention, regular inspections, monitoring and targeted treatments to address pest issues before they become larger problems.

Why Is Pest Control Important in Retail Facilities?

Even a single pest sighting can hurt a retail business’s reputation. According to a National Pest Management Association (NPMA) survey conducted by the Harris Poll, 34% of Americans say seeing pests in a business immediately makes them lose trust in it. Customers may consider a sighting a sign of poor sanitation and share their experiences in online reviews or on social media.

What Pests Are Common in Retail Facilities?

Rodents, including mice and rats, can enter through doors, loading docks and utility openings. They may nest in stockrooms, ceilings or walls, contaminate products and surfaces, and chew through packaging, insulation and wiring.

Cockroaches may enter through deliveries or move between neighboring businesses. They are commonly found near food, moisture and warmth and can contaminate food and surfaces.

Flies are common around beverage stations, drains, spills and waste. Persistent activity may indicate an underlying sanitation, drainage or moisture problem.

Ants enter through small cracks while searching for food and water. Because control methods vary by species, proper identification is important. Treating visible ants alone may not eliminate the colony.

Bed bugs can enter on clothing, bags, returned items and upholstered merchandise. Retailers selling clothing, furniture or secondhand goods may face greater risks.

How Can Pests Affect a Retail Business?

Pest activity in the retail space can damage goods and disrupt operations, making it important to address problems early before they become larger, more costly issues. Even a single sighting can result in customer complaints or negative attention, potentially affecting the business’s reputation. If left unchecked, pest problems can lead to product disposal, additional cleaning or temporary closures.

What Should a Retail IPM Program Focus On?

• Check boxes, pallets, food products and returned merchandise before bringing them inside.
• Keep merchandise off the floor, remove unnecessary cardboard and rotate stock regularly.
• Repair gaps around doors, loading docks, windows, vents and utility openings. Maintain screens and door sweeps.
• Clean spills quickly, store food in sealed containers and repair leaks to remove lingering food or moisture.
• Use tight-fitting lids and clean waste containers regularly to keep waste areas sanitary and less attractive to pests.
• Regularly inspect high-risk areas such as loading docks, stockrooms, break rooms, drains, trash areas and shared walls.
• Establish a simple employee process for reporting pest sightings, damaged packaging and other warning signs.

Why Work with a Pest Management Professional?

Pest problems can be difficult to spot before they become more serious. A qualified pest management professional can identify the pest, find nesting and hiding areas, seal entry points and develop an IPM plan tailored to the facility.

Professional services may include inspections, monitoring, exclusion recommendations, targeted treatments and documentation. A proactive program helps retailers address pest issues early and prevent recurring problems.

Find a pro near you.

This survey was commissioned by the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) and conducted online by The Harris Poll in April 2025 among 2,099 U.S. adults ages 18+. For more information, please contact NPMATeam@vaultcommunications.com.