FOCUS PEST CONTROL
Hit film Fantastic Beasts and Where
to Find Them captured audiences’
imaginations by exploring magnificent
animals that were considered pests when
found outside the magical world. For
example, the Bowtruckle, Erumpent and
Ni
ler all caused issues for city dwellers
outside their natural environment despite
their lovable, mischievous personas.
Some similarities can be drawn between
the film and pests found in the UK.
Cockroaches, flies and rodents have roles
in the food chain, but can cause problems
when allowed to thrive in close quarters
to humans as they are unhygienic and
can carry disease. Facilities managers
must comply with strict health and safety
regulations to prevent such pests from
taking hold in their premises. This article
describes popular hideouts for flies,
36 JULY 2019
cockroaches and rodents, all of which can
o en be found in large facilities which
provide the food, shelter and warmth they
need to thrive.
FRUIT FLIES
Flies are not only an annoyance due to their
buzzing, they can also contaminate food,
work surfaces and equipment as they move
from one food source to another. According
to BBC Earth, there are roughly 7,000 types
of fly species in the UK. However, it’s the fruit
fly that is the most common problem in the
o‡ ice kitchen and food preparation area.
These tiny flies can lay up to 500 eggs at
a time, and once hatched their larvae feed
directly on over-ripened food, souring milk
or fermenting liquids. These pests can reach
full development within just seven days (at
only 15 degrees Celsius), so an infestation
David Cross, Head of Rentokil
Pest Control’s Technical
Training Academy, provides
a guide to troublesome pests
and where to fi nd them
can take hold very quickly. It’s important to
keep premises clean in order to control their
numbers. Work closely with cleaning sta‡
to design a schedule that covers a regular
clean of walls, floors, ceilings and windows,
as well as collecting food waste regularly
before bins start overflowing.
Fly screens across windows can prevent
the insects from entering premises while
ensuring cool air flows in and out of the
o‡ ice in hotter months. Sustainable fly
control units are also available which
encapsulate the flies rather than zapping
them, ensuring that particles do not fall on
to surfaces and food.
GERMAN COCKROACHES
You might not ever think to look for a
cockroach in the co‡ ee machine, but these
insects actually find them an appealing
place to live. They provide the ideal humid
conditions for these pests (and other
insects), especially the German cockroach.
It is o en easier to spot signs of
cockroach activity rather than the creatures
themselves. These include brown or black
cylindrical droppings, an unpleasant
lingering odour, brown, irregularly shaped
smear marks, and shed skins. The German
cockroach is the most common type found
in the UK, and one pair can produce 10,000
o‡ spring in a year. Infestations o en reach
their peak in the summer months.
HIDE AND