Pest problems in the plant room

Consider what a pest typically requires to survive. Two of the key requirements are warmth and harbourage (a safe place to live that is relatively undisturbed). Think of a plant room in that kind of context and it starts to become a more attractive proposition. Place that room in an environment that offers a nearby food source, such as a production line in a manufacturing plant, and we have a real viable living area for pests. Most plant rooms will also have moisture present, a key component for many key pest species.

But what about the noise and moving parts present in a plant room? Surely these will discourage pests? Well, possibly not. Pest species such as rodents are skilled adaptors. They will overcome obstacles such as noise if the prize of safety, warmth and food source can be obtained. The less human disturbance the better as far as species such as rats are concerned, so a plant room which may be secured to prevent human access is perfect. And remember, plant rooms with vents and louvres are often open to the intrusion. Mice are fantastic climbers and will have no problem gaining access to the plant area from high level if the rewards are great enough.

If species such as rats and mice do become resident in plant areas, there are a number of risks you need to consider. Rodents can carry a number of potentially harmful diseases and pathogens that can be transmitted to humans. The common brown rat for example carries an infection known as Leptospirosis (Weils) disease in its urine. This can be transferred in damp conditions via cuts, or the mouth, and is difficult to diagnose as the sufferer displays flu like symptoms, and could be dead before the illness is discovered.

If we accept that plant areas may attract pests, we should be aware of the risks in such areas, and ensure PPE is worn, especially if there is evidence of pest activity.

Rats and mice can be incredibly destructive to plant and machinery if infestations go undiscovered and unchecked. This is due to a rodent's habit of gnawing and chewing. Rodents' front incisor teeth grow constantly, and so must be worn down by gnawing on hard surfaces. Their incredibly strong teeth can chew through wire, cables, wood, cement and even brick. A chewing rodent amongst plant machinery can cause serious damage to equipment and hours of downtime as faults are tracked down and repaired.

Fire is a real risk if cables are damaged, and rodents can be electrocuted on wires and circuits that they have damaged. Damage can also be caused by rodents nesting amongst warm machinery if debris from the nest becomes entangled in moving parts.

Maintenance staff who enter plant rooms on a regular basis should be aware that these locations are often just as attractive to a number of insect pests as well as rodents. Cockroach species, such as the German and the Oriental varieties, are both extremely comfortable in warm areas such as plant rooms. If the site you work on offers a combination of high temperatures, accessible food source, moisture and hiding places, it could be perfect for cockroach activity.

The fact that cockroaches feed on anything organic, including animal and human waste, makes them just as likely to spread disease as rodents, and while insect breeding is temperature dependant, a warm plant room can encourage cockroach population explosions which will rapidly spread to high locations due to the cockroach’s excellent climbing ability.

Fly activity is also a serious cause for concern for any staff who need to access plant rooms. Species such as the common housefly transmit a number of pathogens due to their unsavoury breeding habits. They will again feed on anything organic in origin, including animal waste. Whilst feeding they defecate and vomit, causing further contamination. The housefly can go through a full life cycle – from egg to becoming an adult – in 5 to 7 days in the favourable temperature conditions you would expect to find in many food manufacturing sites.

Because of this, exclusion of flying insects is absolutely essential. Opening doors and windows should be screened against insect intrusion, and electronic fly killing devices should be considered to capture any fly that manages to get through any proofing measures. Scrupulous hygiene in plant room areas will also remove potential breeding sites for fly and other insect species that prefer warm, damp conditions.   

Birds will also access plant rooms for warmth and shelter if they have the opportunity, and this again can also cause health issues for staff coming into contact with residues. Pigeons for example carry a number of diseases that can be transmitted to people, some of which can be deadly. Bird droppings contain a number of diseases and infections such as salmonella that if contracted by staff can be devastating.

When dry, pigeon droppings can become airborne in very small particles, contaminating any employees in the area and leading to a number of respiratory complaints such as psittacosis.  If you have had birds in a plant room and the debris has not been cleared, it is essential that you investigate a means of removing the waste. But remember, birds in the United Kingdom are protected species, you can only deal with them if they are causing certain issues using approved methods. Always consult a bird management company for advice before undertaking any control measures.

Often, the key to pest eradication is early detection. If you are aware of pest activity in plant rooms, don’t sit on your laurels. Get a pest control professional to inspect and clear the problem. Pests such as rats in a plant room will eventually cause serious damage to equipment and may impact on the health of staff, so ensure they are dealt with promptly and professionally before it is too late.

British Pest Control Association (BPCA) members are qualified, insured, are committed to Continual Professional Development, and have access to industry leading Health and Safety consultants to ensure they are working safely and responsibly. They benefit from the support of a world renowned not-for-profit trade association that is available to support them and their customers with pest prevention advice and awareness training.

If you would more information about how the BPCA can support your organisation, please visit www.bpca.org.uk, or contact our office on 01332 294288.