Rodents can take over your business quicker than you might think. Rodents such as mice and rats have rapid reproduction rates, making an infestation detrimental to a business. Unfortunately, rodents are a common problem for area businesses, especially those that provide food and water. If you are a business owner, you should know about the problems and risks rodents can cause for your business.
Rodents On My Property
Rodent damage does not occur only on a surface level. Meaning, you may see the dirt and droppings a rodent leave, but what you might not see is the damage caused to your property's structure.
A distinguishable characteristic of rodents is their teeth. Rodent incisors continuously grow throughout their lifetime, which causes them to need to chew and gnaw to keep them worn down. Because of this, businesses are susceptible to rodent damage as they provide a range of materials that make great chewing posts. Rodents can chew through insulation, drywall, wires, and even piping.
This type of damage is enough to close down a business; however, structures can be repaired. On the flip side, the health hazards caused by a rodent infestation can leave both employees and customers with lifetime concerns.
Health Concerns Caused By Rodents
Businesses that serve food and drink are especially susceptible to health hazards caused by a rodent infestation. Rodents can chew through a multitude of materials, including unopened food packaging. Once inside the packaging, rodents will contaminate food and other products. Diseases that can be spread through contaminated food include:
- Salmonellosis
- Leptospirosis
- Tularemia
- Hantavirus
- Lassa fever
Diseases can be spread through consuming food that has been contaminated and through breathing in dust that contains rodent feces and urine. A rodent infestation is not to be taken lightly in any setting, but mostly a business that serves customers directly.
Although property damage and disease are not taken lightly, the reputation damage may be impossible to recover from for a business owner.
Rodent Prevention and Practices
Although Bay Area businesses are susceptible to rodent infestations, there are precautions you can take as a business owner to make your business less attractive and accessible to rodents:
- Properly store all food. This includes both food in the process of being used and waste. Airtight containers are the best method to store food that is being used. For garbage, make sure to take the trash out regularly and to keep dumpsters away from the building if possible. Dumpsters and outside garbage cans should also be properly kept up.
- Seal pipes, cracks, and screens over vents. Rodents are not only searching for food when they enter a property but water as well. Leaking pipes provide an easy water source for rodents and can also be an access point. Rodents only need a small space to squeeze through. Because of this, you need to make sure all cracks are properly sealed, and that screens over vents fit correctly and are without holes.
- Keep doors shut. Rodents don't need to sneak in when you leave a door wide open for them. Make sure to keep all doors shut, especially back doors that lead directly to kitchens or areas where food is prepped.
The Best Prevention For Rodents
Although you may do everything right, rodents may still find their way into your business. The best way to prevent rodents and other pests from coming into your business is to use ongoing rodent control services with Bay Pest Solution. As a business owner, you can provide no greater service to your customers than a clean and safe environment. Let Bay Pest Solution keep your business and reputation intact with their proven pest control programs.