Keeping pests at bay in sensitive areas
Riyadh-based Masa Establishment for Pest Extermination Services explains what it takes to ensure a pest-free environment in health-care facilities.
01 March 2003
Pest-free surroundings are naturally a common aim in a modern society, but in controlling pests it is necessary to ensure that steps are taken to prevent damage to man and environment, particularly when using chemicals, according to a leading Saudi-based pest extermination services provider.
An effective pest control programme requires a combination of practical experience and an ability to understand technical terms and make use of technical information, says the Masa Establishment for Pest Extermination Services.
In hospitals, pest management professionals encounter sensitive environments such as computer rooms and medical research laboratories, where the way in which pest control methods and materials are used can have significant risks and benefits. To properly control any pest, it is important that technicians, salesmen or consultants can identify these sensitive environments.
While medical professionals will often require supporting data to substantiate their pest management programmes, some are insistent on instructing applicators to use more concentrated pesticide solutions, not realising their potentially negative impact on human health and the surroundings.
An expert opinion is therefore necessary to help select an appropriate pest management approach and, to this end, Masa offers survey and consultation services.
Dealing with pest problems, potential or otherwise, in hospitals requires a multi-faceted approach. For example, well-programmed sanitation practices will discourage the pest from breeding and survival, and left-over foods and scattered cellulose materials should be cleaned to prevent pests from multiplying.
A mechanical approach, meanwhile, requires all entry points (such as holes, gaps, windows and doors) to be sealed or screened to prevent the pest from entering the structure. The Thirdly, a physical approach is a costly but highly effective method of pest control where pests are frozen, heated or have their atmosphere 'modified' using gases. Equipment and other items can be put into refrigeration rooms or specially heated areas to control the pest.
Finally, a chemical approach involves the use of approved pesticides to supplement the non-chemical approaches described above. Chemical treatment is always the last option. In applying pesticides, it is necessary to consider their use in hospitals by distinguishing the patient care areas and the non-patient areas. It is necessary, says Masa, to check with the responsible person or medical staff before applying pesticides, especially in patient-care or potentially sensitive areas. If necessary, patients should be removed from rooms whenever pesticide application is made. It is preferable to use low odour pesticide formulations in hospitals. It is also advisable to maintain a record on the use of all pesticides used.
There are several points to consider in achieving a positive, effective pest management result, says the company. Hospital staff should, for instance, be educated about the behaviour of a particular pest and of other insects in general. They should also be aware of the different procedures as part of the pest management programme. The support of administration and other hospital staff is a big factor in achieving the objectives of any pest control programme.
Definition of the pest problem is also important. Occasionally, for instance, there are differences of opinion over what constitutes an infestation.
Inspection is very important in every aspect of a pest control programme. During this process, a detailed floor plan of the hospital should be obtained, indicating the food service facilities, store areas, loading docks and other areas considered 'hot spots', such as locker rooms or closets, intensive care wards, restaurants, trash bins and other related facilities. Pest sightings and pest management applications should be duplicated as a reference.
Hospital staff must, says Masa, consider recommendations specifically on chemical treatments and non-chemical measures. Non-chemical measures include the use of traps, cages and other devices and methods used to reduce the population of a particular pest.
Sanitation is central to effective, reliable pest management. Clean surroundings create a healthy environment. Good sanitation limits the food, water and harbourage available to pests, and will even improve the effectiveness of chemical applications. Pesticide residues will work longer on surfaces which have no grease, oil or water spills, and will improve the pest response to bait.
In conclusion, a comprehensive pest management programme must focus on pest prevention. To do this, the external environment and landscaping, entry points, internal construction, the movement of equipment and provisions, location of food and water and the nature and timing of operations within the premises must be considered. Constraints which may hamper the implementation of pest management measures, such as lack of cooperation between some on-site personnel and staff, time and financial constraints, sensitive occupants or activities and the lack of access to a facility, must all be taken into account.
