Today, green is more than the color of spring. It's the color patients expect to see applied to every aspect of facility operations. From energy efficiency and water conservation to reducing medical waste, healthcare facilities are under increasing pressure to take more responsibility for their environmental impact and ensure that sustainable practices are in place.
Pest management practices should be on the list of operational activities undergoing “spring greening.” Through an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach, pest management providers are focusing more and more on proactive, preventive measures and using targeted low-impact chemical treatments only as a last resort. This approach is essential in sensitive healthcare environments. IPM addresses the elements that make facilities attractive to pests-readily available sources of food, water, and shelter-and works to reduce pests' access. A key component of a green program is thorough documentation, which allows the pest management provider to track trends and proactively take preventive measures. In an ongoing process of assessment, implementation, and monitoring, a good IPM program will continually evaluate pest hot spots, allow for adjustments to the program, and monitor the results of these modifications. This process must be sustained to ensure effectiveness.
Experts are exercising their green thumbs by using the biology and behavior of pests to develop innovative and environmentally friendly pest management solutions. Combined with a robust preventive strategy, you can control pests' access to the essentials and use your instincts against theirs.
Fly lights
The preparation and storage of food and the trash produced in facilities can provide an open invitation to flies. Since these insects slough off dangerous bacteria every time they land, eliminating and monitoring for flying insect activity is a critical part of an IPM program. Before the symptoms can lead to a chronic problem, install fly lights inside all entrances to help combat flying pests. Fly lights use ultraviolet light to attract and draw pests to a non-toxic sticky board inside a confined trap unit.
Fly lights are best placed inside near entrances to shipping/receiving, food preparation, and waste disposal areas. Not only will fly lights trap the pests before they reach the more sensitive parts of the facility, but the devices also serve as an effective pest-monitoring tool. Have the pest management professional check the trap catch on a weekly basis. For best results, replace the light bulbs quarterly and the sticky boards weekly or as needed.
