What are the pests to watch out for during the Covid-19 pandemic?
- Ants
- Rats and Mice
- Cockroaches
- Flies
- Termites
Due to the pandemic, many businesses have closed their establishments and sent their workers home for remote work. Only critical businesses such as hospitals and food services are encouraged to open. Establishments that are left closed for a long time or have fewer people can become nesting grounds for pests due to neglect. More people at home means more food and water stored. Pests that are looking for these sources are attracted to take shelter in these homes. With that in mind, we listed down the pests to watch out for during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read on to learn more!
Ants
For busy people, leftovers and uncleaned kitchen and dining tables cannot be avoided. Especially now that people are working from home, it is hard to balance both chores and online work.
Without immediate cleanup, crumbs and spills can be left for ants to enjoy. One ant can make a scent trail for other ants to smell. That means an ant can lead to many. They can come in through cracks and crevices that cannot be easily seen by humans.
Killing the ants doesn’t mean that the fight is over. The scent trail can remain if you don’t wash it with strong soap. This means that to eliminate ants, prevention is the best option. Immediately clean up dining tables and kitchen surfaces after eating and food preparation. Clean the floor too, as crumbs and spills may have remained.
Rats and Mice
Rats and mice will settle on places where food and water are available. Just like you, they will look for a warm and comfortable place to stay. They also eat everything. Rats can spread and carry diseases, even if they are dead.
Closed down buildings and establishments that are uncleaned and unsanitized before locking down can be an attractive place for rats and mice to stay. Exposed garbage bins are like a food paradise to them, because they can eat dirty food. Left leaking faucets and pools of water also attract them to stay in a place.
If you are closing your establishment for some time, make sure to fix leaks and clean up any leftover garbage. Sanitize the whole place and close holes and crevices. Have a regular cleanup to prevent these pests as rats can also gnaw on non-food items that taste or smell like food.
If you work from home, make sure to seal all the food and water sources you have. Always wipe clean and dry every surface and leftover food on plastic containers so they cannot gnaw on it.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches are similar to rats in the way that they like warm environments. They like your home because it has a continuous source of food and water. Even if you seal all your water sources, they can still drink on wet sponges and, towels.
Clean your place every day and avoid having clutter where they can easily hide. Roaches love exposed garbage bins and cardboard boxes where they breed.
Flies
Flies are attracted to decay. This is why they like garbage, spoiled food, dead animals, and manure. The decomposition process provides them with both food and moisture. It is also their perfect breeding ground where they lay their eggs and their soon to be babies can feed.
During this pandemic, so many places have closed down abruptly. Due to the abrupt lockdown, there may be leftover spoiled food and exposed garbage bins that flies can eat and breed in.
Once establishments are being reopened, it is important to clean up and sanitizer before opening for business.
For the prevention of flies, it is important to clean up your pet’s manure immediately and throw away spoiled food. Make sure that garbage bins are tightly secured.
Termites
Termites are attracted to wood, especially dead ones. Due to the pandemic, several construction projects have been halted. This means that extra wood is left laying around for termites to munch on. Termites are also attracted to moisture, so any leftover water source should be thrown away.
Inspect your wood materials and surfaces for any hollow sound, as termites like to gnaw on wood from the inside. Also, look for wings that are discarded by mating termites.
Key Takeaway
These are the pests to watch out for during the COVID-19 pandemic. They can be avoided by proper prevention. Always clean and sanitize your house or establishment to lessen the risk of COVID-19 virus and these pests.
These pests can be stubborn even with home remedies. If you find your home or establishment with an infestation, contact us and we are willing to help you.