Cockroaches are tough insects capable of thriving in a range of different conditions. They will look for shelter, warmth, food, water and quiet hiding spots to nest and breed all year round. With distribution facilities providing all these resources, it’s not hard to see why your facility could fall victim to a potential outbreak.

As the cockroach peak breeding season is summer, they’re often on the prowl for quiet hiding spots to lay eggs in the warmer months. However, cockroaches are just as likely to use the same places to hibernate in winter.

With a wide-ranging diet that consists of many organic and inorganic materials that are found in distribution facilities, they have easy access to food sources. These include paper, leather, fabric, cardboard, grease and starch found in packaging and transport products and of course, stock.

If your facility has wet areas or a high moisture environment, this can also entice cockroaches, which can often be found living in drains.

A notorious pest in industrial facilities, cockroaches can be found in many different places and cause disruption to your workplace. Here’s how:

Contaminate food and surfaces

Due to their unhygienic foraging habits, cockroaches collect germs and spread them along their travels.

Spread diseases

Your workplace could be at risk of illnesses such as gastroenteritis, salmonella, dysentery, typhoid fever, cholera, hepatitis A and leprosy.

Penalties for non-compliance to industrial health and safety standards

Breaching regulations can result in hefty financial penalties and affect your ability to trade as a business.

Damage to business reputation and operations

Clients, customers, employees and contractors will be deterred from attending your facility if there is a known cockroach outbreak.

Damage packaging, belongings, furniture, stock and furniture

Cockroaches have sharp teeth and strong jaws, which can chew through a wide range of materials found in distribution facilities, including grease, starch, plastic, leather goods, clothing, furniture and paper and cardboard.

Trigger allergies

With a known allergen called tropomyosin found in their droppings, and sometimes even parasitic worms, cockroaches can trigger asthma and eczema in employees and customers.

They are messy

Cockroaches leaving their droppings, eggs, moulted skins all around the workplace. This can make the floor slippery and unsafe. Their droppings also contain pheromones to attract more cockroaches to the area and make outbreaks even worse.

When it comes to outbreaks, cockroach prevention is far better than cure. We recommend the considering the following tips as part of your pest management plan:

Regular building maintenance

Building inspections are helpful to identify all possible entry points. By sealing them off, you can stop cockroaches from squeezing through very small gaps.

Check and repair all leaking pipes, faucets and drains as moisture attracts cockroaches.

Regularly clean and sanitise

For food preparation surfaces and food storage areas, good hygiene practices are key.

Remove all spilled food items and wipe down food preparation areas thoroughly. Consider disinfection as well.

Don’t forget to clean less frequently used areas and other potential hiding spots for cockroaches, including behind or underneath shelving and pallets.

Keep all food tightly sealed and properly stored away

Check that lids are secured tightly and all food packaging is intact.

Ensure all waste is properly disposed of

Make sure that lids are properly fitting and rubbish is tightly sealed off in bags.

For over 35 years, we have partnered with many businesses to prevent all unwanted pest outbreaks. Our Integrated Pest Management System plays an important role in keeping staff, clients, customers and workplaces safe all across Adelaide.

With a dedicated pest control technician assigned to your facility, to perform an initial inspection, we will thoroughly check for any risks, current pest control measures and learn how your business operates. This information will help us to come up with a personalised Pest Management program for your facility.

Using our 24/7 online portal you’ll be able to access, manage and update your Pest Management Program. This includes all compliance documentation, your pest management strategy and inspection reports. You’ll be able to report any new concerns immediately. Our tailored approach makes it easy for you to alert your assigned pest control technician to any new issues and receive accurate advice as quickly as possible.

For up-to-date pest control technology at your fingertips, contact Allstate today.