HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTS IF PEST INFESTATION IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
There are so many ways that pest infestation can have negative impact in the hospitality establishment which ranges from profit losses to lower employee morale, legal actions in form of fines, sanctions, closure of the hospitality premises, health risk etc. pest infestation not only destroy the hospitality reputation but can also cause physical damage to the structure of the building. Rodents fall into the category of pest that destroy the hospitality equipment at a fast rate because they can burrow through walls, food containers, clothing, books etc. this is because they need food as any living organism. As they burrow through equipments, they can leave wiring or electrical installation open thereby increasing the rate of electric and fire accidents. Apart from burrowing, rodents constantly urinate, defecate and spit thereby soling whatever they happen to be standing upon from fabrics to food items, kitchen utensils, work surfaces and so on, this will increase the rate of food contamination and bacteria infection.
Pest infestation constitutes serious problem to human health as the national institute of environmental health report that one in five children have severe sensitivity to cockroach allergens which increases the severity of asthma symptoms. These allergens are commonly introduced in places where cockroach saliva, droppings and decomposing bodies are found. Apart from these, cockroaches can also carry E-coli and salmonella on their bodies and this is a deadly infection when they come in contact with food items especially cooked food, kitchen equipments, work surfaces etc. (Robinson et al, 2008).
In addition to health risk, pest infestation in the hospitality industry constitute environmental nuisance for instance, one can not imagine seeing rats running shelter scatter in the restaurant or bulk of flies flying