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Business owners have many responsibilities and constantly have to worry about management issues. Owners of restaurants, construction, and landscaping companies will have to add one more problem to their list — since they all regularly use dumpsters. Dumpsters can be the perfect environment for certain pests to live in which can later affect their businesses. Pests That Are Found Near DumpstersAnyone who uses a dumpster is at risk of a pest infestation. Not only will the dumpster be filled with insects and rodents, but they can spread to other areas like the building or vehicles of the company. Dumpsters behind restaurants will attract many different types of flies, cockroaches, and rodents because of the leftover food. Construction companies may see termites from old wood that is thrown away. Landscaping companies may see any type of insect, like termites or roaches, because of old mulch. Tips to Prevent Pests from Living in Your Dumpsters
Following these tips will prevent pests from setting up their residence in your dumpsters. When you notice a pest or two in your dumpsters, you may already have an infestation. Knockout Pest Control can help eliminate pests and prevent them from entering your business. To learn more, or to schedule an appointment, give us a call at (800) 244-7378. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+!
Regular inspections should be conducted in areas where cockroaches like to live; they prefer areas that are dark, warm and moist. Be sure to check behind refrigerators, sinks and stoves, as well as under floor drains and in any gaps behind machinery. Because they can flatten their bodies to fit into tight areas, you may also find them under rubber mats, behind wallpaper or in wall cracks. Aside from the insects themselves, some signs of cockroach infestation are:
Remember, no food business has ever had ‘just one’ cockroach and don’t be fooled into thinking otherwise. If you find any signs of cockroaches, you will want to act fast! HOW TO STOP THEM FROM GETTING INCockroaches enter food businesses seeking warm, damp shelter close to food and water. They are not instinctively drawn to messy environments, but unsanitary conditions can exacerbate the problem by:
Good food storage practices, effective waste control and good general sanitation are your best defences against cockroach infestations. To make your food business less attractive to cockroaches, do everything you can to cut off their access to food. Clean and sanitise food contact surfaces, equipment, utensils and dishware at least once daily, and be sure to clean and sanitise cooking equipment frequently to remove grease and other food residues. Clean up spills promptly and thoroughly, inside or outside the building. It may be inconvenient to drop everything to clean up a spilled soda but a pest infestation (especially cockroaches) is far more inconvenient, costly and time-consuming. Have a daily or weekly cleaning schedule that includes hard-to-reach areas (e.g. underneath shelves in food storage areas, inside cupboards, underneath bar fridges) to ensure that crumbs, spills, grease and debris are removed regularly. Remove waste from the kitchen frequently and arrange for regular garbage collection. Don’t forget about recycling — cockroaches can be attracted to food remains inside the packaging and in the recycling bin. Line indoor containers with plastic bags and regularly clean and sanitise garbage and recycling bins. Store food in tightly-sealed containers at least six inches from the ground and two inches away from the wall; make sure containers do not have cracks or other entry points. Consider painting a white strip (or use white painter’s tape) around the edge of the floor in food storage areas to:
It can be difficult to know if you have a cockroach infestation until they have multiplied to large numbers. Place glue boards in corners, in food storage areas and in other dark, damp places to ‘spot check’ for roaches and monitor them regularly. If you catch a cockroach during surveillance, you know you have a problem and can act quickly to correct it.
If you work in the food industry, this may be a dilemma you’re familiar with: your customers love your food, but so do pests. And once a pest infestation occurs, getting rid of them can be a complicated and often costly process. A far easier solution would be to prevent pest infestations from occurring in the first place. So, with all that said, what should food workers do to prevent pests? You and your employees can implement some simple techniques to minimize the chance of a pest infestation. Educate Your Staff on Pest ControlYour employees are your first line of defense when it comes to stopping a pest infestation. The sooner an infestation is discovered, the sooner it can be eliminated. Your staff should be trained to notice the most common signs of pests. Signs of a Pest Infestation:
If an employee notices any of these signs, you should immediately take steps to remove the pest infestation. Implement Preventive Pest StrategiesThe only thing better than eliminating a pest infestation is avoiding it altogether. Just a few simple strategies can help to keep your restaurant pest-free. Eliminate Entry PointsPests, drawn to warmth and the scent of food, can only enter if you let them. Patch or seal all cracks or holes where they might enter. Install draft stoppers on doors, so pests can’t squeeze in. And keep windows and doors leading outside closed whenever possible. Clean DrainsMake sure your drains are free of any food waste. Flush them thoroughly and use the garbage disposal whenever needed. Even better, try to dispose of food waste in garbage cans, dumpsters, or off-site composting. Store Food WiselyKeeping food tightly sealed is common practice. You should also store food away from walls, and keep your food at least 6 inches off of the floor. Maintain a Sanitary EnvironmentMost restaurants have stringent policies in place for workplace cleanliness. Unfortunately, in the day-to-day flurry of activity, these standards sometimes get a little too relaxed. To avoid pest infestations, ensure that your standards are being met. Dispose of Trash RegularlyNothing attracts pests more than the smell of rotting food. Make sure trash is removed on a regular basis – preferably at least once a day, if not more. Keep Dumpster Areas CleanDispose of trash properly. If a trash bag spills or leaks outside of the dumpster, pests will be drawn there. Clean up any messes outside of the dumpster. Manage and Inspect Your InventoryPest infestations are even more frustrating when you are certain that you have taken all of the necessary precautions. Yet somehow, pests are still getting in. In this case, what should food workers do to prevent pests? It’s time to consider another culprit: your food shipments. Pests can easily hide in your food or food containers. Check them thoroughly for signs of pests, especially droppings or bite marks, before allowing them into your restaurant. Have a Pest Control Tool on SiteDespite the precautions you have put in place, a pest infestation can still occur. And calling a pest control company may not be the best solution. A quality pest control company might not have open appointments in the near future, or they may charge extra for a quick response. In the meantime, your restaurant will be closed and your reputation will suffer. For these unexpected and unwanted occasions, you should always have a pest control machine readily available to your staff. Why the Cryonite Machine Is IdealA Cryonite machine is an ideal solution for managing pest infestations in your restaurant. It uses liquid carbon dioxide converted into dry ice to freeze and kill pests on contact, with no need for toxic chemicals. Because Cryonite machines don’t use chemicals, you can safely spray them in your restaurant without worrying about them landing on sensitive surroundings. With our non-toxic technology:
Please contact us today to see if Cryonite is right for you. |
What should you do to prevent a pest infestation of an outdoor dumpster food handlers
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