6 Healthcare Settings That Attract Pests

Healthcare settings are as unique as the patient care they deliver. But one thing they have in common – from acute hospitals to urgent care to diagnostic facilities and specialist care – is that they are sensitive environments where pests aren’t tolerated. Each one requires a strategy that addresses the pest-specific challenges presented by the building and its patient care environment.

You Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program should address the areas that may attract pests and put a plan in place to help reduce access while respecting the sensitivity of the environment. Prevention is key because pests pose considerable health threats including the contamination of surfaces, medical supplies and equipment.

The best way to help prevent pest problems is to first understand why healthcare facilities make an attractive setting for pests (download our expert guide, Fundamentals of Healthcare Pest Control to find out how to help stop pests from infesting your healthcare environment in the first place.)

Here’s a preview of why your facilities could be subject to a pest activity, what are the most common pest problems in each healthcare environment and where these pests could be hiding.

1. Hospitals
   • Most hospitals have large buildings with plenty of resources to sustain pests and numerous access points for pests like flies and rodents to enter.
2. Assisted Living Facilities and Nursing Homes
   • These facilities are home to long-term residents that may transfer pests like bed bugs into your building on personal belongings.
3. Physicians’ Offices
   • Physicians’ offices are highly trafficked, and visitors can let pests in, either as hitchhikers on belongings or through an open door.
4. Urgent Care Centers
   • Pest-related risk factors for urgent care centers are directly related to the high traffic of patients, visitors and employees, and the high number of entry points.
5. Outpatient Centers
   • Outpatient centers can attract pests with the high levels of organic waste from IV transfusions and lab tests. Pests like flies and ants are drawn to sink and storage areas, as well as waste areas.
6. Rehabilitation Hospitals
   • Rehabilitation hospitals have numerous entrances, small spaces and a constant influx of people, including visitors and vendors that make the common areas and loading docks top “hot spots” for pests like cockroaches and flies.

No matter the healthcare environment, pests will invade these hospitable spaces and can pose serious threats to your patients, visitors and employees. Want to learn how to proactively combat potential pest problems? Download our guide, Fundamentals of Healthcare Pest Control for effective steps you can take to help fight pests in your healthcare environment.

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