Steamatic Townsville Managed a Microbat Infestation in a Heritage Listed Commercial Property
A heritage-listed commercial property encountered an unusual challenge: a micro bat infestation in its ceiling cavity. This posed significant threats to the building’s integrity and the health and safety of its occupants. The business needed a solution that eliminated the infestation without disrupting its operations.
The Challenges:
Dealing with the microbat infestation involved several key challenges:
- Heritage Preservation: The property’s heritage status limited the types of modifications and treatments that could be used.
- Business Continuity: The infestation had to be managed in a way that allowed the business to continue operating. The premises needed to be safe and functional for reopening every Monday morning.
- Health and Safety: Microbats can carry diseases, and their droppings pose health risks. Ensuring the safety of employees and customers was crucial.
- Environmental Considerations: Given the protected status of microbats in many regions, any removal or exclusion efforts needed to comply with wildlife protection regulations.
The Solution:
A comprehensive and well-timed plan was devised to address these challenges:
- Engagement of an Indoor Environmental Professional: An expert was brought in to perform a pre-work assessment, provide a detailed Scope of Works, and ensure final clearance of the building post-treatment. This professional ensured all actions complied with environmental and heritage regulations.
- Containment and Preservation of Contents: All contents within the affected area were left in place and properly contained, protecting heritage items and business assets throughout the process.
- Strategic Scheduling: The work was scheduled over two consecutive weekends and carried out during out-of-business hours. This minimised disruption to business operations and allowed for thorough yet unobtrusive remediation.
- Safe and Effective Remediation: Our team followed strict protocols to safely remove the bats and clean the affected areas. Specialised equipment and techniques were used to humanely exclude the bats and manage all hazardous materials effectively.
The Outcome:
The strategic approach led to successful results:
- No Business Interruption: By scheduling the remediation over weekends and outside of normal business hours, the business was able to reopen each Monday morning without operational delays. This ensured continued revenue and maintained customer trust.
- Heritage Integrity Maintained: Careful planning and execution preserved the integrity of the heritage-listed property, meeting all regulatory requirements and ensuring the building’s historical value remained intact.
- Health and Safety Ensured: Professional handling of the infestation mitigated all health risks associated with the bats and their droppings. The building received final clearance from the indoor environmental professional.
- Environmental Compliance: The solution adhered to all wildlife protection regulations, ensuring humane treatment of the microbats and compliance with environmental laws.
This case study highlights the importance of strategic planning, professional expertise, and adherence to regulatory requirements in effectively managing complex issues in sensitive environments. The successful resolution of the microbat infestation allowed the business to continue its operations uninterrupted while preserving the heritage value of the property.
