Why the pandemic is a pest’s best friend When our kitchens fell silent during lockdown, the only customers enjoying the sudden lack of activity were the most unwanted ones
“Pests don’t follow lockdown rules. They are always looking for somewhere warm to nest, have babies and eat” Nick Bryan, Senior Pest Elimination Manager at Ecolab
Rats, cockroaches and flies love eating out at places where hygiene procedures have slipped. So as restrictions hopefully ease and the hustle and bustle returns, Nick Bryan, Senior Pest Elimination Manager at Ecolab, explains how venue owners and tenants can stay ahead of the game (and pests!) Who is responsible for pest control in my venue? The tenant is responsible for pest control in the tenanted areas such as the restaurant and seating area, whereas the landlord would be responsible for common areas such as the communal bin store and service corridors. What impact will the lockdown have on pest activity in venues? Pests don’t follow lockdown rules, unfortunately! They are always looking out for somewhere warm and cosy to nest, have babies and eat.
But if venues have a well laid-out pest management programme and took the right steps before shutting, then at least the risks are minimised. Even if the facility was left clean with food stored away and bins disposed of, pests will have been uninterrupted, so it is best to be alert. When it’s time to re-open, check inside and out for tell-tale signs of activity such as droppings, damaged foodstuffs and unusual smells. How can we keep pests at bay? Before re-opening, re-educate your staff. Employees are your first defence so teach them to alert management to the signs of droppings, nests, and gnawed/ spoiled packaging because time is definitely of the essence. Store all food in sealed containers and cover bins to eliminate rodents’ food supply. Keep the place clean (including drains to avoid cockroaches and flies) and tidy to reduce hiding places.
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