Mr. Meek

Security & Safety

Keep Your Hotel a Summer Hot Spot for Clientele, Not Cockroaches

By Frank Meek, International Technical & Training Director, Orkin, LLC

With peak travel season fast approaching, both guests and pests will be flocking to your hotel in search of the same amenities: a comfortable room, fine dining and liquid refreshment. The warmer weather is particularly attractive to cockroaches, some of which are seasonally active and “check in” to hotels and other indoor spaces during the spring and summer. As the hardy cockroach develops tolerances to pest control efforts, it is more critical than ever for you and your staff to work as a team with your pest management professional to help keep your facility from becoming a “Roach Motel.”

Profile of an Unwanted Guest

Cockroaches have been scurrying around uninvited for nearly 400 million years. Their innate ability to survive under any condition has made them one of the most enduring species – and pests – on earth. There are approximately 4,000 species of cockroaches worldwide, about 70 of which live in the United States.

The most commonly encountered species is the German cockroach (Blattella germanica). It is small, about one-half inch long and light brown in color with two dark-brown stripes behind the head. The German roach can easily hitch a ride into a five-star resort on nearly anything, including guest luggage, pant legs and deliveries. The German cockroach also poses a major infestation risk due to its prolific abilities – while all cockroaches reproduce rapidly, the German roach can produce up to 48 offspring every 20 to 25 days, more than any other species.

The American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) is another common pest you don’t want lounging around your hotel. As one of the largest indoor cockroaches, the American cockroach can grow up to one and a half inches in length and fly short distances. It is reddish-brown to brown in color, with a light yellow “ring” around the top of its head. Most commonly found in food preparation areas, the American roach is considered to be one of the fastest running insects and can dart quickly out of sight.

For hotel guests, any species of cockroach is undesirable. Smelly and nocturnal, cockroaches live in large groups, emit unpleasant odors and seek dark, moist places to hide and breed. Unfortunately, hotels provide ideal living conditions for roaches with their abundant sources of food, water and warmth, and often attract these unwanted guests. One cockroach sighting may signal hundreds more in hiding; because cockroaches are nocturnal, the few you see during the day were likely forced out by overcrowding and could indicate severe infestation.

Omnivorous scavengers, cockroaches prefer a menu of sweets, meats and starches, but can survive on glue, dust and many other items for months. They don’t require much for sustenance – a few drops of water and just one raisin can feed 300 cockroaches a day. Because cockroaches are thigmotropic in nature, meaning they prefer to have the side or top of their bodies touching other objects, they can be found in any crack or crevice in your hotel – under floor drains and carpets, and behind mini-fridges, sinks, wallpaper, furniture and picture frames. Cockroaches are expert hiders, able to squeeze their flat, oval-shaped bodies through openings as small as one and a half millimeters, which affords them comfortable residence in any nook and cranny of your hotel.

Health Hazards

Few things scatter guests as quickly as cockroaches, but beyond their reputation-destroying “ick” factor, roaches can be significant health hazards as well. Cockroaches’ bodies are coated in bacteria from the decaying organic matter they seek out for feeding and breeding. They are known to carry an average of 25 different disease-producing bacteria that can lead to illnesses such as diarrhea, food poisoning and pneumonia. In addition, research from the American Allergy Institute indicates that cockroach feces and cast skins contain problematic proteins that can aggravate allergies and trigger asthma attacks.

To safeguard your guests’ health from cockroach-related problems, it is important for you and your staff to work closely with your pest management professional to be vigilant against any issues that may arise.

Preventing Problems with IPM

Prevention is key to making your hotel less appealing to cockroaches. To discourage these unwanted guest arrivals in the first place, hotels should implement an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program. An IPM program helps prevent cockroach entry by limiting access to their basic necessities of food, water and shelter. It stresses using a combination of proactive management methods such as stringent sanitation and facility maintenance to prevent problems before they occur, rather than focusing solely on chemical treatments after the fact. Additionally, IPM programs are often supported by environmentally-responsible products and monitoring devices that are not only effective, but have the least impact on the environment.

When correctly implemented, IPM programs can be incredibly successful. Work with your pest management professional to incorporate these IPM tips in targeted cockroach “hot spots” – places which offer the pest food, water and shelter.

Kitchens and Dining Areas

Food preparation and service areas are always at risk for cockroach infestation because they offer ever-present sources of food and water. Continental breakfast areas and well-stocked buffets can be food heaven for a cockroach, so it’s important not to leave food out too long and to check these areas regularly for food that may have fallen out of sight. Maintain good sanitation practices and clean regularly to remove food debris. Sweep and sanitize floors and equipment surfaces, and scrub floor drains to eliminate any residual organic matter. Use a vacuum to remove debris from cracks and crevices where cockroaches can hide, and clean up any spills immediately to remove crumbs or residue that might attract a hungry pest. Also, be sure to monitor for any water sources that cockroaches might be using for survival. A cockroach can live for months when given water and deprived of food, but it can only live for a week without water. Contact a maintenance professional for speedy repair of leaky sinks, ice machines or dishwashers.

Common Areas

Regularly vacuum, sweep and mop public, multi-use areas like the lobby, reception and lounge to eliminate potential food and water sources for cockroaches. Take care to empty any trash receptacles in these areas regularly to prevent overflow and deter cockroaches from snacking on the debris. Line all trashcans and cover them tightly to help eliminate any odors that might attract these pests. Excess water is a sure draw for cockroaches, so be sure to eliminate excess moisture around water features and any work-out rooms as well.

Dumpster Areas

Cockroaches thrive in dirty, moist conditions, including dumpsters and trash cans. Keep dumpsters away from your building to reduce the risk of a cockroach infestation. Monitor these areas for pests and maintain a regular trash pick-up to prevent overflow. Eliminate any debris surrounding trash areas, such as cardboard boxes, which can serve both as a home and a food source for cockroaches. Seal all trash bins with lids to help eliminate any odors that might attract pests, and rotate and clean dumpsters regularly.

Parking Lots and Sidewalks

Even the smallest bits of food and litter can attract cockroaches. Unclean parking areas and sidewalks surrounding your hotel property can encourage cockroaches to search inside for additional food and water. Sweep and hose down parking lots and walkways to remove any debris that may entice pests.

Building Exterior

Cockroaches are attracted to the odors and warmth emanating from a building. Regularly monitor the exterior of your hotel for any holes, cracks or gaps where pests could enter. Seal any unnecessary openings with weather-resistant sealant. To protect hotel entrances, install door sweeps or weather stripping to help prevent cockroaches from squeezing underneath or between doors.

Landscaping

While tulips and topiary make a beautiful backdrop for your hotel, vegetation can serve as housing for cockroaches. Trim back foliage from your building, and avoid using ground-covering plants such as ivy, which can offer secure shelter for the pests. Many cockroaches also find shelter in mulch, so reduce the amount you use or pull it away from the building. Consider asking your pest management professional to consult with your landscape architect and recommend plants and shrubs that are less attractive to pests.

Keep up these facility maintenance and sanitation techniques throughout the year to protect your hotel and guests from cockroaches during all seasons. Remember that effective pest management is a team effort between management, staff and your pest management professional. Encourage staff to monitor for cockroaches and document any sightings to share with your pest management professional, and make sure all employees understand their roles in sanitation and facility maintenance efforts. With teamwork and an effective IPM program, you can help ensure your hotel remains a destination hot spot for guests and not for cockroaches.

An industry veteran, Frank Meek has been with Orkin since 1986. In 2003, he was named among the future leaders of the pest management industry in Pest Control Technology magazine’s “40 Under 40” ranking. Currently, as the International Technical and Training Director, Mr. Meek provides technical support and training in both sales and service to Orkin's international franchises, helping them grow and develop in their specific markets. As a board-certified entomologist, Mr. Meek teaches Integrated Pest Management principles and can explain how to use all available methodologies to prevent pest infestations in various commercial settings. Mr. Meek can be contacted at 404-888-2898 or fmeek@rollinscorp.com Extended Bio...

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