51 RODENT TALES Rodents are one of the more common pests found in foodservice facilities. They are also one of the more critical pests. Rodents carry with them disease, economic loss, regulatory citations and unhappy customers. The Problem Rodents enter facilities in search of food, water or shelter. And, unfortunately, your facility provides everything they’re looking for! Rats and mice are excellent climbers and can squeeze through a crack as small as a quarter inch, which means entering a facility is not much of a challenge. Rodents can cause serious damage to your business in a number of ways. They carry pathogens like Salmonellosis and Leptospirosis, and can transmit these diseases through their droppings, feet, fur, urine and saliva, putting your customers and associates at risk. Rodents cause significant economic damage as they will gnaw on almost anything including doors, walls, pipes and wiring. They also contaminate any food that they touch. In fact, it’s reported that rodents contaminate at least 20% of the world’s total food supply. Additionally, rodents reproduce rapidly. Rats multiply so quickly that in 18 months two rats could have over a million descendants! Perhaps one of the most common effects of rodents is the negative impact and reputation damage a customer sighting could cause your establishment. The Solution If you suspect a rodent problem in your facility, contact a pest control company like Ecolab Pest Elimination to do a thorough inspection. Your Ecolab Service Specialist can help locate possible access or nesting areas and make recommendations for sanitation or structural improvements. For more information about rodent infestations and how to control them, contact your Ecolab representative. Quick Tips Rodents can pose a serious threat to your business. Staying proactive is essential to helping prevent a rodent infestation. What You Can Do The best way to prevent a rodent infestation and contact with rodents is to remove the food sources, water, and items that provide shelter for rodents. • Maintain high interior sanitation standards. Keep stored food in sealed containers and clean thoroughly on a daily basis. • Maintain high exterior sanitation standards. Keep dumpster lids closed and clean up any spillage around the dumpster area. Reduce water sources next to buildings and assure proper drainage. • Seal any openings or holes, both on the interior and exterior of your facility, to prevent rodent entry. • Look for signs of rodent activity, including droppings, evidence of gnawing or burrowing, grease marks, urine stains, sounds and odors. What Ecolab Can Do Ecolab has interior and exterior systems that work from the outside in to provide 24/7 protection from rodents, including proprietary and discreet bait stations and traps to inconspicuously protect you from rodents in customer-facing areas. Ecolab has the knowledge and expertise to create an effective program to help keep your facility rodent free. Resources brought to you by: ECOLAB Ecolab Pest (USA) Pest Control Chemicals & Services Cathleen Decker Corporate Account Manager (860) 929-1542 cathleen.decker@ecolab.com www.ecolab.com Ecolab Pest (Canada) Pest Control Chemicals & Services Bita Moftakhar Corporate Account Manager (403) 990-2942 Bita.moftakhar@ecolab.com www.ecolab.com
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