Grocery stores have an obligation to keep their produce sections clean and pest-free. It can be a struggle to keep away ants, fruit flies and cockroaches, especially in the warm summer months. Accidental food scraps, over-ripe fruit and puddles of water can all attract these three invaders. They may be small, but they can become big problems and potentially ruinous to a store.
Ants The University of Guelph identified over 100 species of ants living in Canada and said that nearly all of them consume the same food sources that humans do. Sharing a menu with these pests means they can easily become a nuisance. In a grocery store, spilt food products and spoiled fruit and vegetable matter can act as a homing beacon for ants. Once they've consumed the food source they won't necessarily move on - ants like to establish a home near food supplies. Their nests can cause problems with a store's electrical wiring and lead to further structural damage. The university recommended using toxic bait when the nest is too hard to find - but store owners must take special care not get this bait anywhere near their products or in areas that children might go.
Fruit flies Learning how to prevent fruit flies will save store owners money by keeping produce from being devoured by these tiny pests. Fruit flies lay their eggs in rotting or fermenting fruit, and, according to the University of Kentucky, one adult fly can lay as many as 500 eggs. If left untreated, a fruit fly infestation could quickly grow into an unwieldy problem. To prevent fruit flies, store owners must be vigilant about removing overly ripened fruit and damaged produce. A single overlooked item of fruit could be the starting point of an infestation.
Cockroaches These pests are notoriously hard to kill and they are some of the most determined pests out there. They're also extremely hazardous to have around food. In an interview with Dateline NBC, Jeffrey Nelken, an expert on food safety, said that cockroaches can carry 30 different kinds of diseases. The University of Purdue recommended cleaning floors frequently and eliminating any sources of standing water. Fixing leaky pipes or clogged drains will keep the roaches from invading a store in search of a drink.
Since 1924, Abell Pest Control has provided quality services, protecting our customers and their patrons from coast-to-coast. Our customers enjoy the expertise and resources of a national provider. Prouder yet, we are members of your community, ready to service your home or business 24/7.
We are reliable experts in pest control—experts who care. At Abell Pest Control, we bring experience, efficacy and knowledge to customers who are looking for a fast, safe and effective solution to their pest problem.
You probably already know that most people are repulsed by the simple sight of cockroaches. If you are personally dealing with a cockroach infestation, the feelings of disgust are probably even more intense. Unfortunately, the cold winter weather tends to be one of the reasons this pest ends up in your home in the first place, according to Any Pest. While you may know that you don't want to share your home with cockroaches this winter, there are a number of interesting facts about this pest that you've probably never heard.
Because of the high amount of traffic and the versatility of the facilities, pests are naturally attracted to long-term care institutions. Many nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and other care facilities include on-site kitchens and cafeterias as well as private rooms and common spaces. All of these places are susceptible to attracting pests because of the presence of food, water and viable habitats.
During the summer months, some people love to go camping with family and friends. Yet this fun trip can be ruined with a few unwanted visitors, most notably different types of bugs. Crawling spiders, hungry mosquitoes and buzzing flies can become annoying quickly. How can you avoid these pests when you're outdoors? Consider these tips to keep bugs out of your campsite.
Carpenter ants can chew through the strongest studs and stringers in a house as they hollow the wooden beams out for nesting. The resulting damage can weaken the home's structural support and require expensive repairs. Professional pest control workers can remove a colony of ants, but the best practice for homeowners is to learn the best ways to keep out an ant colony and prevent the problem before it begins.
As the weather cools, you'll probably see fewer pests than you did during the warmer months, but that doesn't mean they're all gone just yet. Some insects can actually come out in full force during the autumn, while others might seek refuge in your warm home. Here are some key tips to keep in mind as fall gets underway:
As the middle of summer approaches, you need to be vigilant about keeping your garden free of pests. Many insects breed during the summertime, which means they're on the lookout for great places to lay their eggs. For many bugs, that means near a source of food. In fact, some species of insects will lay their eggs inside budding vegetables and fruit so their larvae have something to eat as soon as they hatch. That's why you have to keep harmful bugs out without damaging the bugs that could help you, such as bumble bees.
You might have noticed that, with the exception of the kitchen, you find more pests in your bathroom than in the rest of your home. This is because insects and rodents see the bathroom as a convenient watering hole. Pests love leaky pipes and standing water because these offer them a hydrating oasis in the otherwise dry biome that is your house or apartment. And if your bathroom develops mold, all the better for pests, who may eat fungus or use it to lay their eggs.
The kitchen is largest gathering place for pests in a residential home. The reason is simple: pests can grab a bite to eat and take a sip of water while they're here. And when they find such a bountiful place, they will return home to their nests and report the finding - before you know it, your whole pantry is a buffet for ants! The problem could get even worse if a piece of food falls somewhere and begins to rot. Similarly, fruit and vegetables you bring into your home may be harboring unseen pests waiting to hatch.
