Inevitably, the healthy environment that establishments maintain before may have deteriorated now that it’s been deserted and closed for days. For this, restaurants cannot maintain necessary sanitation steps to prevent pest infestations. After months of shutdowns, states are now allowing non-essential businesses to reopen. Some states impose strict measures to limit human contact.
Preventing pest infestations during the pandemic
Establishments can use preventive measures such as sealing up cracks, setting traps, and cleaning up. Firstly, unsealed cracks are other ways for rodents and cockroaches to enter a restaurant. With this valuable step, the CDC promotes setting up traps to reduce the population of rodents that are already inside. Traps are recommended to be set up on crawl spaces or areas that have lesser human traffic. Also, the CDC is promoting cleaning on a regular basis. Even though the buildings are unused, food spillage and uncleaned rooms will attract infestations of rodents and cockroaches.
Killing the ‘dumpster fire’ caused by pest infestations
Meanwhile, having large-sized dumpsters to accommodate the daily trash from establishments—especially biodegradable waste coming from restaurant and food establishments—can also help reduce the risk of pest infestation. This should be placed in a good distance away from the entrance of the kitchen, to avoid food contamination. What’s more? Having a regular schedule for trash disposal will lessen the chances of a cockroach from entering the kitchen.
Lastly, storing food containers properly will reduce the likelihood of pest infestation or even food contamination. Normally, we don’t eat the pizza in a box that has been gnawed on by a rat. Consequently, storing them in a dry and secure place will be a great way to prevent pest infestations or future plague of misfortunes. Cockroaches like to hang around wet and humid places and if starchy materials or food is available in the wild, that will also summon these monsters.
Public establishments’ handling of pest infestations equals to public responsibility
Upon re-opening, establishments should not only rely on traditional methods. With public health at stake, there must be a more systemized program to ensure a clean and safe venue that is equipped for the “new normal.”
At the end of the day, investing in a pest control plan will not only assist you to get rid of the unwanted pest infestations but will help you foster healthier and SAFER business conditions—a community that is free from pest infestations or diseases creeping around the corner. As a wise man once said, “repair is the lack of maintenance.” In conclusion, reopening and rising up the business from this tough time won’t be as costly once we prevent the damages and consequences caused by pest infestations during this pandemic by keeping up with healthier, safer, and more professional methods.