The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have been all-encompassing. One impact that may come as a surprise, however, is how the pandemic has impacted pest activity. With less foot traffic in public spaces during the early stages of the pandemic and lockdowns, pests became more daring in their search for food and shelter. Rodents, specifically, made headlines for increased sightings in several American cities, where rats were spotted searching for food or feasting on refuse during daylight hours. As many companies implemented work-from-home policies, homeowners became more aware of pest activities in and around their houses. With hundreds of businesses closing their doors, pests were able to take advantage of unmaintained facilities, threatening the safety of nearby structures.
This unprecedented increase in pest activity is particularly concerning for businesses in the food industry. Pests are capable of contaminating food and transmitting harmful diseases. Rodents are known to contaminate 20 percent of the international food supply each year and can spread diseases such as hantavirus, salmonellosis, and plague. Cockroaches can spread bacteria, parasitic worms, and traces of anything they come in contact with, making them a particularly dangerous pest. To prevent an infestation, even when operating with limited staff, facility managers must make pest control a top priority. Managers can take several key actions to protect facilities and employees: