Between the hundreds of pounds of fresh, delicious food lining the shelves to the bins full of expired goods out in the back, there’s more than enough temptation for the passing pest looking to settle in, and keeping them at bay can be a tricky challenge.
The food retail sector is the most important part of the food chain from a consumer safety point of view as it is the last step before food reaches the consumer. It therefore has the greatest responsibility for ensuring food safety, traceability and consumer information.
It is important for us that businesses in the food retail sector of all sizes maintain sanitation standards and actively prevent pest infestation in order to maintain a high standard of food safety as well as protect both staff, customers and reputation.
Here are the top 5 pests that impact supermarkets:
Rodents
Whether scurrying through the walls and along the baseboards or setting up a nest just outside of your back door, mice are often a major problem for supermarket owners and food retailers across the country.
Cockroaches
Infesting areas in both urban environments and rural retail shops, cockroaches are perhaps one of the most feared pests faced by retailers and supermarket owners today. Due to their small size, quick speed, and prolific breeding, cockroaches are also one of the most difficult pests to get rid of. Nothing draws them to your shop quite as quickly as easy access to food.
Flies
Where there’s fresh fruit, meat, and dairy, there will almost definitely be flies. For supermarkets and food retailers, flies are persistent interlopers who may come in waves with the warm weather. Or may simply stick around through the cold season feeding off of the backroom supply. One thing, however, is for sure: customers will not be happy to see flies buzzing around the shelves.
The application of standard hygiene practices is particularly important for controlling all these pests. As well as to reduce the attractive odours, feeding material, and breeding sites. These can include regular inspection of supplies, cleaning food preparation areas and disposing of garbage regularly.
It is often in the best interests of the business to employ the services of a professional pest control team. HiCare Services offers a range of 24/7 smart & digital pest control & Hygiene systems suitable for use in food retails and supermarket. We tailor our pest control programmes to match the risk level of your premises allowing us to monitor, alert and eliminate pests.
For more information on our services like Pest, Hygiene, Professional Cleaning, Bird Netting and Herbal Disinfection, contact HiCare as we provide customised solution post consultation, inspection and discussion to make sure you stay safe.
