Finding a hair in your pie and chips is bad enough but watching a cockroach scuttle across the floor in the restaurant is – well – less than ideal.
As a business owner, you are more than aware of the health and safety issues that you are expected to adhere to.
Is it always easy?
No.
The results of non-compliance are unpleasant: fines, fees, penalties, not to mention that your hard-earned reputation is on the line if your building or commercial property is found to be infested by pests. For businesses in the hospitality industry, where food is part of the equation, the legislation on pest control is even stricter – and rightly so. These businesses in particular need to implement Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) pertaining to pest control to keep within the law.
Here’s the problem though.
Unwelcome visitors are always going to be an issue. They are perpetually on the hunt for food, water and shelter from the elements, along with a comfy home.
No commercial building, warehouse, office, residential estate, restaurant, hotel or mall – especially those with a food court – is overlooked in their search. And, when pests find the perfect spot to settle, they can often quickly build nests out of sight, which can lead to a full-blown infestation putting both your business, employees, customers and tenants’ health and safety in jeopardy.
The Problem With Pests
Despite pests causing untold damage to your immovable property, which too can create a safety risk, one of the most concerning issues is when pest infestations cause a threat to human health which would subsequently open your business up to a whole host of negative outcomes.
Rodents, such as rats and mice (and even squirrels) are associated with several health risks and have been known to spread more than 35 diseases. The diseases they carry are easily spread to humans through direct contact of both live and dead rodents, including any contact with their faeces, urine and saliva. Any fleas, ticks or mites jumping from infected rodents to unsuspecting human hosts can also add to the spread of these harmful diseases.
Scientific American has this to say of rats; “Real rats (the ground-hugging kind) aren’t innocent by any means: Research links them with the re-emergence of bubonic plague and typhus. But bats (of whom “winged rats” is more apropos) may be giving the unpopular rodents a run for their infamous reputation. Long associated with rabies, bats gained new notoriety in the 1990s after outbreaks of the Hendra and Nipah viruses killed both humans and livestock in Australia and Southeast Asia, respectively.”
Yes, they are really quite thorough in the business of disease dissemination!
Cockroaches, too, are hazardous pests when it comes to human health. Not only can cockroach antigens trigger asthma attacks in sufferers but like rodents, they also carry diseases such as Salmonella due to them picking up germs on the spines of their legs.
Also, they are kind of gross to look at.
While hoards of ants are known to be destructive, one may not think of them as posing a risk to your health but they, in fact, do because ants can pick up dirt and disease-carrying faeces from dirty places and deposit this onto anything they walk over.
Affectionately known as the ‘urban vermin,’ pigeons are a common issue in UK cities. Their dehydrated droppings are known to spread a number of rather horrific diseases. Medical News Today lists a few:
- coli.This occurs when bird droppings land in a water or food supply and are then consumed by humans.
- Louis encephalitis.This disease is spread by mosquitoes after they feed on a bird that carries the pathogen that spreads St. Louis encephalitis. This inflammation of the nervous system is dangerous to all age groups but can be particularly dangerous and even fatal in adults over 60 years old.
- Histoplasmosis. This respiratory disease occurs as a result of a fungus growing in pigeon droppings and can be fatal.
- Candidiasis. This disease is also a respiratory condition caused by a fungus or yeast found in droppings. The areas affected include skin, mouth, the respiratory system, intestines and the urogenital tract, particularly in women.
- This disease is commonly called “food poisoning” and spreads via infected droppings turning into dust and contaminating food and food preparation surfaces prior to consumption.
- Pigeons are also carriers of mites, fleas, and West Nile virus, all of which can cause discomfort and potentially serious health issues in humans.
That’s quite a rap sheet, we’re sure you’ll agree.
It’s not just badly stored food waste which attracts pests and tends to compound the issue of both pest infestations and contamination. No, where there are food and shelter – there are pests.
Commercial Pest Control – More Than a Nice-To-Have
While keeping an eye out for pest faeces, nesting materials and visible damage to building structures are always helpful in identifying a possible a pest problem, these seemingly obvious signs often tend to go unnoticed by busy people.
Landlords, facilities managers and letting agents don’t always have the time or skills to conduct regular and effective inspections and may rely on tenant and customer feedback instead.
Combat Pest Solutions are experienced in handling all your commercial pest control problems.
From small mammals to insects and birds, our team use a range of measures such as trapping, humane capture and release, pest deterrent measures and, where necessary, poisoning.
The methods we use are tailored to the situation as well as your own preferences and in compliance with approved legislation, especially when it comes to the use of pest control methods in establishments that handle food.
Of course, recognising the early signs of an infestation is key to a faster and more effective solution to the problem. Prevention, as they say, is better than cure.
It is far simpler and easier to place all your commercial pest control needs in the hands of professionals who can offer you the most reliable solution that keeps you safe and compliant.
Considering a Commercial Pest Control Service Contract?
Combat Pest Solutions offer a commercial pest control resolution for all our clients, ranging from a 24-hour call-out service to a long-term service contract designed to prevent and treat pest issues.
- A service contract will provide your business with regular monitoring and inspections for signs of pests.
- We identify situations that may increase your risk for pest infestations.
- We take appropriate action to control early stages of pest invasion and removal of the source of risk.
Our promise to businesses is to provide fast and efficient solutions to any issue at hand which will greatly assist your business in achieving legal compliance and demonstrating due diligence.
We also recognise the need for discretion and confidentiality, therefore all our commercial pest control surveys and subsequent work can be conducted outside of trading hours, should you prefer.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your business to combat pest problems and maintain a high standard of excellence.
Call us now on 0118 380 1544.