Articles

Shed some light on pest management

Bill Melville, Quality Assurance Director, Orkin PCO Services

Published: Healthcare Facility Management

A retirement residence is not only a home, but it is also a foodservice establishment, a healthcare facility and, most importantly, a non-stop operation. That means there’s no time for pests, which can compromise the health of residents and staff.

Pest management may not be top of mind when caring for residents, but preventing pests is part of keeping these very residents safe and healthy. Pests are a threat to public health - especially to those with compromised immune systems, like the elderly. Cockroaches and flies can transmit disease-causing organisms like salmonella and E. coli, while rodents can transmit hantavirus. Also, pests like pharaoh ants have been known to invade IV lines in healthcare facilities and other ant species can bite or sting immobilized patients.

Owners and managers of retirement homes should take a preventive approach to pest management in order to keep these incidences from becoming a reality at their facilities. Pest issues may open up the facility to scrutiny from the public and media, and could even result in legal action. Fortunately, just a few extra minutes to regular sanitation and facility maintenance routines can help keep pests in their place.

So why do pests invade retirement residences? Pests are in search of food, water, shelter and optimal temperatures - all of which are abundant in retirement homes. Mitigating their access to these survival elements is key to preventing infestations and some areas are more prone to pests than others.

Kitchens and dining areas are one of the most likely areas to encounter pests because of the easy access to food and moisture. While cooks are busy providing nutritious meals for residents, pests are looking for a meal of their own. They only need crumbs, so be sure to vacuum regularly and get in cracks and crevices. Clean up spills immediately - pests only need a small amount of moisture in their diets to survive. Remember that what you think is trash can be a fivestar meal for a pest, so line and seal all trash cans with a tightly-fitting lid. Use an organic cleaner in drains to eliminate the build up of grease and grime that some flies use as a food source and breeding ground. Lastly, set aside time each year to conduct a thorough cleaning of the kitchen, targeting grease runoff on equipment and the floors and walls behind and underneath all appliances.

The kitchen and dining room aren’t the only places where pests can find food - don’t forget to keep an eye on the places where food is stored between meals. Keep food products in tightly sealed plastic containers to prevent pests from contaminating them and store pantry items on wire backed shelving to help prevent stored-product pests, like Indian meal moths. Always practise FIFO (First In, First Out) to maintain good stock rotation - this prevents products from sitting too long and becoming more vulnerable to infestation. Dispose of all cardboard and corrugated boxes that food supplies are shipped in to prevent cockroaches from hiding and nesting in them.

When disposing of those cardboard boxes and other waste, be sure to remember that waste disposal areas are often the first stop for pests and a staging ground for them to make their way into the building. Work with a waste management company to regularly clean and rotate dumpsters as the residue from waste can attract pests. Keep dumpsters and trash cans away from the building to make it more difficult for pests to access your facility. Also, have fly lights installed inside entrances/exits that lead to waste disposal areas - these will help attract and capture flying pests before they can make it further into your building.

While areas with food and trash might be obvious pest “hot spots,” pests can also be found in laundry areas. Even though they are often full of fresh, clean laundry, the heat and moisture in laundry rooms can attract pests looking for water and optimal temperatures. Ventilate the area well to keep humidity to a minimum and don’t leave piles of dirty laundry sitting around for a lengthy period of time - any crumbs or organic stains will attract pests.

The very rooms/apartments residents reside in can also attract pests since each individual unit has all the amenities a pest needs to call it home as well. Monitor food in resident rooms and ask them to keep any food stored in plastic bags or containers. Be sure to regularly sweep, vacuum and mop floors to eliminate food residue. Ideally your vacuum should have a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter to remove dust and food debris from floors. Vacuuming also can eliminate the cockroach allergens that can aggravate asthma. Cockroaches in particular thrive in damp, unsanitary conditions, so keep clutter to a minimum to eliminate potential hiding and nesting spots for them and other pests. Lastly, monitor for standing water in the bathroom, and work with the maintenance staff to quickly fix any leaks.

A reputable pest management professional will inspect the facility and share additional “hot spots” with staff. He or she can also instruct staff on what pest conducive conditions to look for and how to remediate them. Adding these simple extra steps to the regular routine will help to ensure that residents are able to enjoy their retirement without pests in the picture.

Bill Melville is Quality Assurance Director for Orkin PCO Services. Mr. Melville has 35 years of experience in the industry and is an acknowledged leader in the field of pest management. For more information, email Mr. Melville at bmelville@pcocanada.com or visit www.orkincanada.com.