Cockroaches are more than just a nuisance in the kitchen. They are notorious as a “hygiene enemy” and can cause serious health problems. Here’s what you need to know to keep your restaurant or kitchen safe.
Why are Cockroaches Dangerous?
Cockroaches carry pathogens such as salmonella and tuberculosis bacteria, as well as parasites that can be transmitted to humans. They can spread worms, such as the tapeworm that infests the human digestive tract, and their excrement can trigger allergic reactions in humans. Additionally, they can contaminate surfaces and food, which makes them particularly dangerous for the catering industry.
Where are Cockroaches Found?
These pantry pests thrive in warm houses, kitchens, and restaurants. The common kitchen cockroach feeds on waste and food scraps, like bread crumbs. They are often brought in from abroad, hidden in luggage or wooden pallets that come with goods from foreign countries.
How to Recognize an Infestation?
Since cockroaches are very shy creatures, they are rarely seen. However, a visible cockroach may indicate that more are hiding in the building. They are very resilient and reproduce quickly, so swift action must be taken if an infestation is detected.
How to Protect Against Cockroaches?
- Hygiene: Package leftover food, avoid crumbs, empty trash bins daily, and remove grease residues, e.g. in the oven.
- Storage: Cockroaches can eat through paper, so flour and sugar should be stored in sealed containers.
- Monitoring: Conduct regular pest monitoring and look for signs of feeding or fecal traces1.
- Quick Action: Report and document an infestation immediately, and consult a professional pest service if needed.
The Alcomo HACCP App for Pest Control
The Alcomo HACCP App is a valuable tool for documenting daily warehouse monitoring. With the app, you can check control points such as the integrity of packaging, cleanliness, and expiration dates, as well as the correct storage of food on a daily basis.
Discover the possibility of documenting pest control. Internal pest prevention and control, as well as monitoring and treatments by external service providers, can be documented.
1 Cockroach fecal traces look like coffee grounds.
