Pest Control For The Casino And Gaming Industry

Pest Control For Casinos, Racetracks & Other Gaming Facilities

Did you hear that sound? You might be thinking it is the slot machine ringing or the noise coming from the poker table, when in fact the sounds you may be hearing are of pests invading your casino right under your watch.

Casinos like other hospitality industry businesses, usually see high turnover patrons, converging from different backgrounds and parts of the world. This allows certain pests to hitchhike on the belongings of your guests and settle into your casino and room areas uninvited.

Using industry leading knowledge and expertise, Orkin Canada entomologist Dr. Alice Sinia has put together a list of the most common pests you may encounter in any casino, racetrack or other gaming areas.

Common Pests To Watch Out For

Bed Bugs

Because of travelers and other tourists, casinos can be particularly susceptible to a possible bed bug infestation. The common areas where these pests may infest could include entertainment areas such as on the casino floor, where lounges, tables, chairs and machines are present, along with inside guest rooms. Some casino resorts may also offer day lockers for guests to place their items, such lockers areas and cloak/coat rooms/closets may be high risk areas for a possible bed bug infestation.

These pests commonly feed on guests during their stay and can be very hard to remove for any on-site janitorial or housekeeping staff, usually requiring professional pest control management solutions. Though bed bugs are nocturnal and feed mainly at night, they may come out to feed during day in machine areas and gaming tables, which increases the risk of guests taking them home with them, creating negative guest experiences and bad publicity that could be detrimental to your business operations.

Not only are these persistent pests hard to remove, but they can also breed rapidly, spreading throughout the affected area. For effective commercial bed bug removal, do not hesitate to contact your local Orkin Canada branch!

Cockroaches

Kitchens and restaurant areas can be hotspots for any pests, but among the most common are German cockroaches. These pests can be brought in on the personal belongings of staff, through food packaging, produce and shipments. They settle into kitchens and other spaces within the restaurant zones where there is easy access to food, shelter and water.

In some venues where large indoor tropical plants or large potted plants are present, there can be potential for Australian or Surinam cockroaches to infest the area. In order to keep any green areas cockroach free, it is important for staff to inspect tropical potted plants that have been brought onto the premises for any signs of cockroaches.

Ants

Though ants may be small, in large numbers they can be a destructive nuisance that can cause both property damage and drive patrons away. With readily available food and regularly open doorways and patio areas, ants may use the opportunity to invite themselves into your establishment. Ants may be attracted to kitchens and dining areas, while some species such as pharaoh ants can also be brought inside your casino through contaminated food packaging or on guest belongings and other objects.

Though most species of ants do not pose health threat nor cause structural damage, they are nuisance pests. Therefore, having professional ant control can make a significant difference in reducing the ant population in and around your casino property. Contact your local Orkin Canada branch for more information.

Flies

With any establishment that serves food or drinks, you can expect to see flies close by. These nuisance pests are attracted to your establishment because of the strong scents of food and other organic waste that is commonly thrown into garbage bins and other waste areas. Worse still, these pests are not just limited to food prep and kitchen areas, they can also infest entertainment areas where guests may be indulging in the amenities of the casino.

Fruit flies can be major problem in bar areas because beverages, empty bottles and cans attract them. Beverage fountains and dispensers if not drained and cleaned well daily can be a major breeding source for these flies, where they hover annoyingly around patrons and can contaminate drinks.

Some species of filth flies such as houseflies, bottle flies, or flesh flies can also pose a threat to your employees and guests. Not only can these flies be seen as an annoyance, but they can also spread potentially dangerous pathogens such as typhoid fever, E. coli, and cholera. These flies can be prevented through a professional fly control program.

Rodents

Rodents (rats and mice) are drawn into casinos by the easy access to food and shelter. Common areas like kitchens, garbage rooms, utility rooms and receiving doors can be seen as particularly welcoming to rats and mice. These pests can present a serious health risk for your guests and staff due to the fact that certain rodent species may carry and transmit dangerous pathogens through their urine and droppings, such as Hantavirus and Salmonellosis.

Beyond being a health risk, rodents can also create a serious safety hazard within your casino. Rodents chewing on electrical wiring in a building can create fire hazards, while chewed utility cables may lead to disruptions in communication and services.

Pest Birds

Exterior structures and signage can be prone to a possible invasion of pest birds. This is because tall exterior structures and signage provide protection against threats and the elements. Exterior waste receptacles can also provide pest birds with an easily accessible food source that ensures your property will be a viable space for pest birds to thrive. These birds are more than just a nuisance, as many species of pest birds have the potential to carry and transmit diseases like St. Louis Encephalitis, Western Equine Encephalitis, Eastern Equine Encephalitis and Meningitis.

Pest birds are also known to be carriers of dangerous ectoparasites such bird lice and mites. Bird droppings not only make exterior structures look unsightly but when wet can create fall hazards for both staff as well as patrons since these areas can be slippery. These risks cannot be taken lightly and can seriously impact the operations of your business. Trust the bird control experts at Orkin Canada for reliable service you can trust. Contact us today to get started!

Stored Product Pests

Casinos with large kitchen areas that have food storage can be susceptible to a stored product pest invasions which can often go unnoticed for long periods of time. These pests such as Indian meal moths, grain beetles, and weevils are common in storage areas and can find their way inside from a variety of different sources. Attracted by a variety of different food sources, stored product pests find their way indoors through cracks in the exterior of your commercial property. In most cases, pantry pests may find their way inside your casino through infested food products and packaging that may have arrived during incoming supply shipments.

Though these pests do not pose a risk to humans, they can contaminate food products, which could result in higher costs associated with replacing the affected food. It is important to note that the chances of a possible large scale infestation increase the longer a food item is stored at the same location. In order to prevent a possible contamination issue, it is important for staff to regularly monitor food storage areas and always use old stock first to prevent adulteration of supplies and produce.

Common Casino Areas Susceptible To Pest Infestations

• Food Prep Areas
• Restaurant And Dining Zones
• Bar areas
• Waste Disposal Areas
• Casino Gaming Areas
• Guest/patron rooms
• Cloak/coat rooms/lockers

With over 65+ years of pest control experience, no pest issue is too big for your expert Orkin Canada technician. For professional pest control for your commercial casino and gaming spaces, Orkin Canada is the industry leading provider you can trust to get the job done right the first time. Contact your local Orkin Canada branch today to get started!