Pest Control in Food Premises | How to Prevent Infestations

Pests are living creatures so why are they so bad for food premises? Here are the reasons why:

• Pests carry and spread a lot of germs. Cockroaches, flies and rats carry germs not just on them but inside them. They also have the ability to spread these pathogens, contaminating the food we eat.
• Pests have the ability to multiply quickly. If a pest issue is not addressed, it can soon get out of hand and become unmanageable. For example, horse flies lay 375 to 750 eggs in their lifetime. The eggs only need seven days to hatch.
• Pests need little to survive. Just a bit of food and water will allow them to live on.
• Because pests are so mobile the can easily spread germs across large areas.

Prevention is the Cure

Doing everything you can to prevent pests, or worse, an infestation of them is the best form of pest control. To do so, you must remove sources of food and block entry points into the food premises.

Pest Proofing

• Keep your work area clean and well kept.
• Garbage containers should be easily accessible for workers. Be sure to throw it out often.
• Keep food sealed and store properly so pests can’t get into it.
• Seal holes and cracks to prevent pests from entering the premises.
• Install screens and vents to prevent pests from entering the premises.

Signs of a Pest Infestation

Pests leave behind unpleasant clues of their existence. These include strange odors, feces, urine, bite marks and scratches. If you see signs of an infestation, let your manager know and call a pest control company for help with the problem.