Insight

Pests can be the root cause of a host of problems in the workplace, with many establishments struggling to control a number of different pests all year round. All workplaces are at risk of a pest infestation, but environments, where food is prepared, stored or sold, are particularly susceptible to infestations and can face serious problems if these issues aren’t dealt with.
Although the majority of pests may be harmless on their own, there are a number that can pose a significant health risk. For those who work in a workplace involving food preparation and consumption, it’s very important to be aware of the signs of pest infestation so that you can react accordingly to prevent any significant health risks from impacting either your customer base, yourselves or other employees.
What are the Signs of Pest Infestation?
Each different type of pest has different signs that indicate they are in or are inhabiting a particular area. Whether it be cockroaches, rodents or birds, each pest indicates its presence differently.
Being able to identify the signs of pest infestation is highly important to prioritise the health and well-being of employees and customers in your establishment. Below are some of the most common ways that you can tell if a pest is present in your workplace.
1. Droppings
Droppings are an obvious sign that a pest may be living or roaming in your area of work. It can be more difficult to identify the droppings of certain pests than others, so this is a sign that tends to be mainly associated with rodents because of the size of their waste.
If you’re facing an insect infestation, it may take you much longer to identify droppings, which may mean the infestation has already grown when you do identify them. However, if a workplace is regularly and thoroughly cleaned, you should be able to notice them quickly.
2. Footprints
If many pests have been tracking in and out of an area, you may find less defined indications of footprints that resemble more of a smear.
3. Damage to Property and Equipment
Further signs of pest infestation include damage to items or areas that are accessible or reachable to the pest. 
Other physical damage caused by pests includes pests getting into food storage areas and working their way into food containers and packaging, which can lead to increased wasted food and thus increased expenditure for a business.
4. Nests
Depending on the type of pest that has created the nest, the evidence will vary.Things like wasps, bees and ants nests tend to be quite easy to locate and identify, whereas rodent nests are often much harder to identify, as they tend to be found in ceiling voids and beneath or behind cluttered storage areas and shelves.
5. Foul or Unusual Odour
A foul or unpleasant smell in areas acts as a good indication that an area has been infested with pests. With pests such as rodents, they are often accompanied by an ammonia scent, which is likened to urine, and cockroaches are best known for emitting a greasy or oily smell.
How to prevent a pest infestation?
Not only should immediate action be taken in the event of a pest infestation, but it is also important to put preventative methods in place to ensure the likelihood of having a pest infestation in the workplace. 
Ways in which you can prevent pest infestation from occurring include:
1. Keeping contents in your work environment dry
Moisture is a form of nourishment for pests who often can go for long periods without feeding. Making sure that no water or excess moisture is in areas such as sinks or work surfaces will minimise the attraction of pests to workplace areas.
2. Regular cleaning
Regularly cleaning areas in a workplace prevents pests which tend to gravitate towards areas with excess food waste such as crumbs. Ensuring food or drink is stored in containers and in areas out of reach from pests and removing rubbish regularly from your premises will help minimise their attraction to workplace areas.
3. Securing and blocking potential entry points
Often, pests can gain direct access to your premises through entry points that have not been sealed or secured. By ensuring that any potential entry gaps are sealed and doors and windows remain shut, you can minimise the likelihood of larger pests getting into an area.For smaller pests like insects that can get in through fine cracks in floors and walls, ensuring that any cracks are filled or fixed is necessary to prevent insect infestation.
4. Conduct regular inspections
We recommend that you carry out pest inspections at least once a year, and would encourage you to do this more regularly.