While many people are able to prevent cockroaches from infesting their homes, it's much harder when you're trying to manage a large warehouse property. Cockroaches will try to go anywhere where there's the smallest amount of food, water and shelter, and warehouses seem like the perfect place for them to settle and not be bothered.
Although they make themselves scarce when you come around, cockroaches can spell serious problems for your business. As Los Angeles County's Department of Public Health warned its community, cockroaches can carry diseases, contaminate food, cause damage to cardboard and paper, and smell bad in large numbers, contributing to an unsanitary environment. They can also set off workers' allergies and asthma. Some of the diseases that cockroaches have been known to carry include Staphylococcus, Salmonella and Shigella.
When you find an infestation, it's important to contact your local pest control services for help eliminating these resilient pests. But you may be able to avoid having cockroaches invade your warehouse in the first place by preventing them from getting what they need.
You don't have to forbid food and water from your warehouse, which is impossible for many commercial food distributors, but you should limit access. Store all food in glass or plastic sealable containers, according to the University of California Division of Agriculture & Natural Resources. The other main source for cockroach food is garbage. You should keep garbage tightly closed and inaccessible. Also keep recycling and other trash in a well-lit area to avoid providing any hiding spots.
Look out for plumbing issues. While you'll probably keep an eye out for cockroaches around the break room sink, bathrooms and other common water sources, these pests may still be getting their sustenance from a leaky pipe. Consider working with a pest control service and plumber to make sure your warehouse is dry and secure.
Cockroaches want to be unseen and live in dark, moist areas. That means you're really going to have to look for them. Try to think as if you were a cockroach and investigate the darkest, most remote areas first. If you find signs that cockroaches have set up camp, it's best to contact a commercial pest control company, but if not, try to reduce the number of places where they may hide. Remove excess cardboard, clutter, potted plants and fix any holes or cracks, Illinois' Safer Pest Control Project advised.
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.
