Cockroaches can cause serious problems for restaurants or eateries. Attracted to most food preparation areas, cockroaches can contaminate food, cooking implements, utensils, paper products and preparation surfaces.
These unpleasant pests are capable of carrying a number of diseases because of contact they may have had with feces or other unsanitary substances. Bacteria like salmonella and disease-causing organisms like staphylococcus are just two examples of what cockroaches carry and why having them in a restaurant kitchen can be unattractive and potentially cause food poisoning.
Commercial pest control can help restaurant owners and managers eliminate an infestation and help the facility prevent future incidents. But before pest management services can come to the rescue, you have to get to know the warning signs of a cockroach infestation.
There are four common species of cockroaches across North America. Restaurant owners and managers should be most on the lookout for German and brown-banded cockroaches, as they're the most prevalent indoor varieties - German is the most common overall.
Cockroaches are usually about 1/2 to 1 1/2 inches in length with flat winged backs, long antennas and a hard shell behind their heads. German cockroaches have two black stripes behind their heads and are bronze-colored. The membranous, mosquito-like wings are different than the hard ones of beetles, which cockroaches are frequently confused with.
The best warning sign of a cockroach is to see one, but it's difficult because they're nocturnal. Large infestations may be visible during the day in clusters. Cockroaches are usually near food or water, so kitchens, bathrooms and damp basements are the most popular spots.
Other than seeing a cockroach outright, look for shell casings. Not those from a firearm, but the shells of recently hatched cockroach eggs that are small, brown and oval. Feces are another warning sign and are small and brown, similar to ground pepper.
A surefire sign that your restaurant has a cockroach infestation is the smell. Larger groups of cockroaches emit a pungent, repulsive smell that'll alert you that something is wrong and it's a good time to call in a pest control service.
Cleanliness is paramount when it comes to preventing cockroaches from infesting your establishment. Make sure there isn't any accessible food or garbage. Eliminate old food, clutter and storage messes that can provide hiding areas. Plumbing leaks can also contribute to a cockroach-friendly environment and should be fixed.
Because of the high amount of traffic and the versatility of the facilities, pests are naturally attracted to long-term care institutions. Many nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and other care facilities include on-site kitchens and cafeterias as well as private rooms and common spaces. All of these places are susceptible to attracting pests because of the presence of food, water and viable habitats.
During the summer months, some people love to go camping with family and friends. Yet this fun trip can be ruined with a few unwanted visitors, most notably different types of bugs. Crawling spiders, hungry mosquitoes and buzzing flies can become annoying quickly. How can you avoid these pests when you're outdoors? Consider these tips to keep bugs out of your campsite.
Carpenter ants can chew through the strongest studs and stringers in a house as they hollow the wooden beams out for nesting. The resulting damage can weaken the home's structural support and require expensive repairs. Professional pest control workers can remove a colony of ants, but the best practice for homeowners is to learn the best ways to keep out an ant colony and prevent the problem before it begins.
As the weather cools, you'll probably see fewer pests than you did during the warmer months, but that doesn't mean they're all gone just yet. Some insects can actually come out in full force during the autumn, while others might seek refuge in your warm home. Here are some key tips to keep in mind as fall gets underway:
As the middle of summer approaches, you need to be vigilant about keeping your garden free of pests. Many insects breed during the summertime, which means they're on the lookout for great places to lay their eggs. For many bugs, that means near a source of food. In fact, some species of insects will lay their eggs inside budding vegetables and fruit so their larvae have something to eat as soon as they hatch. That's why you have to keep harmful bugs out without damaging the bugs that could help you, such as bumble bees.
You might have noticed that, with the exception of the kitchen, you find more pests in your bathroom than in the rest of your home. This is because insects and rodents see the bathroom as a convenient watering hole. Pests love leaky pipes and standing water because these offer them a hydrating oasis in the otherwise dry biome that is your house or apartment. And if your bathroom develops mold, all the better for pests, who may eat fungus or use it to lay their eggs.
The kitchen is largest gathering place for pests in a residential home. The reason is simple: pests can grab a bite to eat and take a sip of water while they're here. And when they find such a bountiful place, they will return home to their nests and report the finding - before you know it, your whole pantry is a buffet for ants! The problem could get even worse if a piece of food falls somewhere and begins to rot. Similarly, fruit and vegetables you bring into your home may be harboring unseen pests waiting to hatch.
In the summer months, people love to stock up on fresh fruits and vegetables. Some even venture to farmers markets where the food is cheaper. However, not only do fruits come home with you, fruit flies may too. Once they've gotten acclimated in your home, they might stay all summer. These pests breed quickly, and tend to spread through whatever food you've got around. They also are happy to join in on any meal you have, be it a sit-down dinner or a barbecue in your backyard. Worst of all, like other flies, they carry disease. Consider these tips on how to prevent fruit flies from coming home with you.
