Healthcare facilities are the last place that you want to discover a pest infestation, and you would think that with all the emphasis on cleanliness and sanitation that it wouldn’t be possible for pests to make their way into such an environment. But pests can make almost any place home as long as they have a food source, water source, and a place to nest and breed.
At Healthcare facilities, pests often find these necessities in break rooms, cafeterias, store rooms, and other areas where there may be crumbs left behind by people, standing water, or a dark place to hide. In today’s blog post, we are going to discuss some tips to keep healthcare facilities free of pests from the Sacramento pest control experts at Earthwise Pest Management.
If you work at a healthcare center in Sacramento and are interested in professional pest control to rid your center of a current infestation or to prevent future pest problems, contact Earthwise Pest Management today.
Check for Leaky Pipes
If your healthcare facility has any leaky pipes, even if it’s just a slow drip, not only could it possibly cause water damage, but it could also be creating a perfect water source for pests like ants, cockroaches, or rodents. Regularly check your pipes located underneath sinks, in bathrooms, and in store rooms to ensure that they are not leaking.
Seal Cracks and Holes on Exterior of Building
Pests typically make their homes in buildings where they find a convenient entrance. By sealing cracks, holes, or other damage to the exterior of your building, you’re making it more difficult for pests to enter your healthcare facility.
Clean Public Eating Areas Frequently
Public eating areas such as cafeterias and break rooms are breeding grounds for pests if they are not kept clean. Even if you have a responsible staff who cleans up after themselves, it’s still important that these areas get thoroughly cleaned, frequently. It only takes a few crumbs or a bit of standing water left in a sink to attract pests.
Keep Food Tightly Sealed and Stored Properly
When food is left out on the counter at room temperature, it can become a feast for pests. Especially if this food should be stored in a refrigerator. To prevent attracting pests to your healthcare facility, ensure that food is stored properly and sealed tightly. Ants, rodents, and cockroaches can all make their way into a rolled-up bag of cereal or chips and some pests can chew their way through cardboard boxes and bags. Items should be transferred into plastic containers with tight-fitting lids for the safest possible food storage.
Ensure Storage Areas Are Dry and Well-Ventilated
A storage area can make an ideal place for a pest to nest and breed due to the plentiful dark hiding places. Pests can hide behind and underneath stacks of boxes and shelving units. While you may not be able to do much about minimizing their places to hide, you can ensure that they aren’t also finding a water source in your store room. Ensure that the ventilation system is working properly and the room is dry to make it a less hospitable place for pests to live.
Repair or Replace Damaged Screens
Damaged window screens are another way that pests often find their way into healthcare facilities. Windows should be routinely inspected to ensure that screens are securely in place and that there are no holes or gaps for pests to find their way through.
Frequently Empty Trash
Trash cans often act as a food source for pests. These should be frequently emptied to avoid infestations, especially those in break rooms, cafeterias, and other areas that may contain food waste or liquids.
Hire Earthwise for Your Healthcare Facility Pest Control
At Earthwise Pest Management, we understand how important it is for healthcare facilities like doctor’s offices, hospitals, health clinics, and dentist’s offices to keep pests away. It’s imperative that you are able to provide a clean, sanitized work area for your employees and your patients, so having a pest infestation is just not an option. We understand that you have high standards when it comes to cleanliness and that you face unique challenges when it comes to pest removal and prevention.
At Earthwise Pest Management, we use an Integrated Pest Management program to safely and effectively remove and prevent pests with minimal use of pesticides. Contact the Sacramento pest control experts today for healthcare facility pest control and management.