Why Pest Control Maintenance is Essential for Care Homes

Care homes are by no means more susceptible than any other building. However, the residents are more prone to infection, disease, and stress caused by an infestation, manifesting itself into more serious problems.

Care homeowners and managers have a duty of care to their residents to have an effective pest control maintenance plan in place. In the capital, it is usually a contract with a reputable pest control company in London. Cockroaches and rats are known to be carriers of disease, and their droppings contain bacteria that could cause life-threatening complications. It is, therefore, essential that care homes remain permanently pest-free and below, we will look at the three most common pests that pose a threat in care homes.

Rodents

The most serious threat posed to care homes comes from rats and mice. Both are known to be carriers of viruses, bacteria and parasites, with some of the most dangerous being Weil’s disease, Hantavirus and salmonella. It is also believed that mice may also carry antibiotic-resistant diseases such as E. coli and C. difficile. While in healthy humans they cause severe gastrointestinal infections, if contracted by someone who is infirm, they can be fatal.

Both rats and mice breed quickly, so any infestation must be dealt with quickly, but an effective pest control maintenance plan should make the risk negligible.

Cockroaches

Cockroaches are known to carry various viruses and parasites such as tapeworms and roundworms in addition to bacteria, including salmonella and E. coli. Evidence also suggests that these insects can also aggravate lung conditions such as asthma. As cockroaches tend to live and crawl around unhygienic places, including sewers and toilets, coupled with the fact that they eat rotten food and other unsanitary matter, they will inevitably have bacteria on their bodies and legs that can be transmitted to work surfaces.

Cockroaches can usually be detected by the presence of live or dead insects, their faeces or shed skins which often present themselves in cupboards, under sinks or behind appliances such as fridges and microwaves.

Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are in many ways the least serious of the pests that we have included on our list as they are not known to carry any diseases that can be transmitted to humans. However, their bites do cause severe itching, which can have a detrimental effect on the wellbeing of residents. If the bites are scratched, they can leave open wounds leading to secondary infection.

Conventional insect sprays cannot kill bed bugs, and as they breed rapidly, it is vital that you call in a pest control company at the first sign of an infestation. Telltale signs include the bugs themselves, their eggs or dark spots on residents’ bedclothes or mattresses. Bed bugs can quickly spread from one room to the next, so prompt action is required.