It is difficult keeping grease and food particles away from the floors, walls, and ceilings in any kitchen, and even more so in a commercial kitchen. Floors need to be cleaned constantly while the ceilings and walls should be cleaned regularly both weekly and monthly. Use pest control services such as Moster Pest Control Specialists to prevent pest infestations and to keep all parts of your commercial kitchen spotless. Pests that are attracted to food usually include roaches, ants, flies, mice, rats, and other visitors that are unwelcome in a space where food is being prepared. Whatever your concerns might be, we will tackle the infestations at all stages of their breeding cycles. Our virus and bacteria cleaning services will also ensure your commercial kitchen is kept in an immaculate condition free of viruses, bacteria, and anything harmful that might find its way into the prep area. 

Your commercial cleaning professionals will undoubtedly do a good job, but it takes professional pest control specialists to ensure pest challenges are dealt with from the beginning stages and kept away from kitchens. Invasive pests are a nightmare for food services and the wrong cleaning products and methods could cause more harm than good. With correct cleaning and eradication of pests from the first signs of infestation restaurants and food, outlets can have peace of mind with a lesser risk of pest infestation. Facilities management and commercial cleaning of your commercial kitchen is only one part of pest control management efforts – this is an important step in the right direction. This is especially the case where rodents and insects are attracted to food. But it takes expertise from pest control specialists to tackle the problem head-on. 

The removal of food is a step in the right direction, although it is only the first step to stave off pests in the commercial space. It is important to ensure the area has no moist spots (water for pests) and that food is not lying around. This should be your first line of defense when getting rid of pests in the commercial space. Bear in mind that cleaning your commercial space and paying cleaning and facilities management teams to assist is only one small step in eradicating vermin and pests. Investing in your cleaning services is important in upholding your brand image, the health of your workers, and the integrity of your commercial operation. 

Your Focus Should Be On: 

• Garbage bins which provide vermin and bugs with a veritable feast and is one of the biggest pest infestation problems on the properties of commercial facilities. Open and overflowing bins provide pests with a source of food and if they remain full all day every day, you are inviting pests to breed 

Spillage and Dirty Countertops 

• Pests won’t hesitate to migrate indoors should their food sources not be found outdoors. Food spills and dirty countertops are an open invitation for pests. Ensure all countertops are wiped clean with disinfectants and sanitisers to detract pests and to ward off germs and viruses. Now more than ever commercial kitchens need to ensure the work environment is cleaned regularly to ward off the COVID-19 virus and other nasty bacteria, germs, and viruses while warding off insects and vermin 
• A professional cleaning service ensures that all hard-to-reach corners are disinfected and sanitised. Air disinfection will take care of any microorganisms by sanitising everything including the air we breathe in with safe, pesticide-free products 
• Professional teams will ensure that everything from the floors to the ceilings is sanitised, leaving no room for insects and bugs to be attracted to commercial facilities 

Moisture Attracts Pests 

• Pests need water to survive – ensure all liquids are stored away in airtight containers in the fridge. Leaving water bottles and glasses with water will attract pests 
• Furthermore, train staff to ensure taps are closed properly 
• Ensure your plumber oversees your commercial kitchen to ensure there are no leaking faucets, poor drainage or other plumbing issues 
• Never leave the water to pool on floors and countertops 

At the very first sign of insect infestations such as droppings, nests, tracks and damage that has been caused, the problem should be addressed immediately. 

The cleanliness of commercial kitchens should be tackled by professional teams of facilities managers, pest control services such as Mostert Pest Control Professionals and keeping a clean environment as this will ensure there are no pests and vermin, germs and viruses. Now, more than ever before, it is important to ensure your commercial kitchen is pristinely clean to ensure the health of everyone is taken seriously. Commercial kitchens should be cleaned daily, and deep cleaning undertaken at least once a week. Commercial kitchens should be in a satisfactory sanitary condition as those that are not up to standard risk being closed and fined. 

Landlords understand the need to clean thoroughly and taking stock of their premises between tenants. This is especially important as a high standard of hygiene is necessary, particularly if you run a B n B establishment, rent out residential properties, or are a commercial landlord renting office space. Clean Thoroughly Between Tenants for Peace of Mind and with facing the possibility of the COVID-19 virus being present on many surfaces and high-touch spots, disinfecting and sanitising the air and every nook and cranny and all those hard-to-reach spots are vital for the safety of all concerned. 

Cutting corners is not a good idea and in the long run, you could find that you were pound foolish. Make a list of the areas that need to be cleaned between each tenant and keep it handy every time tenancy changes. 

A Basic Checklist Will Look Like This 

• Inspect the property and take pictures of anything that needs to be fixed or sorted out. Attend the move-out inspection in person as this is an important part of the rental process. This is the one time that your tenants could argue the finer details and you could end up with a “he said she said” situation. By being there in person will avoid any disputes later. This is especially useful regarding what the responsibility of the tenant is and that of the landlord

What Else?

• Return all sets of keys  including remotes and spare keys
• Nothing tells a tale as well as a photograph – especially if you clean thoroughly; before and after pictures will hold up in court so ensure you have these for absolute proof which will be handy when clearing up any grey areas. It is easy to simply take the before and after pics with your smartphone It is imperative to have a spotlessly clean thoroughly between tenants for peace of mind in your unit or office for your new tenants to move into. Call in the experts to deep clean every corner of the office or unit. When deep cleaning takes place any issues that have been overlooked during the inspection will also be addressed. Make a checklist of all cleaning materials and appliances and keep this for future reference. Remember to clean the ceiling and light fittings and any carpets and other soft furnishings
• Call in the experts such as Mostert Pest Control Specialists to do a virus and bacteria disinfection so that all those hard to reach corners and all the surfaces, as well as the air, are cleaned thoroughly with pesticide-free products to ensure the safety of everyone

What Next

• You must check the utility bills to so that these are up to date. Close them off where necessary. It is a smart idea to add a move–out and close off clause onto the lease of a new tenant. This will make leasing the property less problematic when it comes to switching on water and lights at the beginning of a new tenant’s term. It might be a smart idea to simply add the utilities into the account upfront to avoid any issues with these bills and will mean you will be in control, too
• Once everything has been cleaned it is wise to go back and do it all over again. Re-clean all the important areas.  Bathrooms and the kitchen as well as any high-traffic areas such as boardrooms and dining areas. Bear in mind that the first thing that tenants look at is the cleanliness of the environment. Little things such as grubby taps or basins can make or break a deal. Throw away or replace anything that has seen better days
• A brand spanking new coat of fresh paint shouts fresh and clean. It will cost little to dab on a new coat of paint and will make the entire unit or office look bright and clean. Repaint and patch holes and ugly marks on an annual basis to ensure the unit always looks bright and fresh 

and then

• Repair all leaks and plumbing issues – get your plumber in to carry out an inspection as leakages could cause untold damage when undetected in a short space of time
• If you have carpets covering the floors, these need to be deep cleaned.  Otherwise they need to be replaced which will make a world of difference to any space. Replacing carpets is often the best way moving forward and it is a great way to control any pests
• Keep the gardens are in great condition. Call in a garden services company to assist in mowing and to keep the flower beds in check.  Trim trees and bushes away from the windows to let in as much natural light as possible. Remember that curb appeal often seals the deal 

The landlord must disinfect all properties between tenants.  This ensures the safety of all concerned, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Get as much outside help as possible to make the task easier. Mostert Pest Control Specialists will ensure your unit is free of germs and viruses and will ensure that any pests are eradicated and controlled. 

Workers and business owners are already practicing excellent hygiene habits – but is this enough? Work spaces need to be properly cleaned before employees can trickle back to work once lock down has been eased off. It goes far beyond the washing of hands. Post Lock Down – How to Clean – the question on all our lips! Now more than ever before hygiene measures should be kept to the highest level possible to prevent the transmission of the COVID-19 virus. How to clean your workspace.

Make Strides in Disinfecting Your Work Environment Post Lock Down

Germs, bacteria, and viruses move when people move – period! These are transmitted and carried by people, food, pets, and the air. They can spread from air to surface, our hands, when we touch our faces, from person to person (please remember to wear a mask at all times, especially when coughing and sneezing), and from person to surface through cross-contamination.

The Most Common Types of germs found in the home or work environment include:

Influenza – these are surface and air-borne

Norovirus – this bug is also called the winter vomiting bug

Coli – this is a serious bug as it causes severe intestinal challenges

These are a handful of the viruses, bugs and germs found in offices and homes, on surfaces, in kitchens and other hard-to-reach places. The Covid-19 pandemic has made cleaning more important than ever before. As workers return to work as the lock down eases off, we need to be aware that the virus is spread when someone who has Covid-19 exhales or coughs. Droplets of infected fluids land on surfaces which necessitates the dire need of cleaning and thoroughly disinfecting thoroughly. The Work Environment Post Lock Down – How to Clean – for you the employer.

This is What Employers Need to Know about How to Clean your Workplace

• All surfaces that are touched by staff such as phones, keyboards, doors, handles, kitchen appliances, light switches etc should be disinfected on a regular basis- encourage everyone to use a tissue when touching these
• Hand washing is a given – place sanitizer in the kitchen, in the bathrooms and at the door that everyone accesses – refill these regularly
• Educate your staff members – posters, educating and other informational reading matter should be displayed prominently. Everyone can read and keep informed. Brief your staff on safety and hand washing, the wearing of masks and any further necessary information regarding hygiene in the workplace
• Ditch all cloth hand towels – place rolls of paper toweling at all basins and sinks
• Paper face masks should be worn by all workers, especially if they have a sniffle, cough or sneeze, but better still, if someone shows signs of being unwell it should be a rule that they stay away from work until they are 100% better. It is better to be safe than sorry
• Even better still, if a business can operate remotely, encourage remote work and plan conference meetings, and calls in preference to being in contact with other people. While the Coronavirus is a threat it is best to avoid contact wherever possible
• Plan – everyone who comes to your office should give you their details.  This is so that everyone could be contacted effectively and that there are no delays. When receiving visitors to the office, allocate a room for this function. If there is a scare or a possibility that someone has fallen ill, it is best to isolate them until they are able to seek medical attention

The Basics of Cleaning The Office Environment

Clean all surfaces regularly.  Light switches, counters, desks, phones, toilets, taps, sinks, doorknobs should be washed down with soap and water. When using cleaning products read the labels as many should be left wet for some time before wiped or dried. Use soap and water on soft furnishings and where possible wash these thoroughly with soap and water. Always use the hottest cycle when washing clothes and other soft items in the workspace. Where possible, place cloths, cushions, carpets in the sun for as long as possible. Where possible use covers that can be wiped to cover tables, touch screens, keyboards, remotes, and other electronics. Encourage cleaners to wear gloves when cleaning the office environment. that is how to clean your workspace

Mostert Pest Control Helps Prevent the Spread of Disease in the Work Environment

Mostert’s professional disinfection service eliminates, reduces, and disinfects 99.9 % of microorganisms from surfaces – these are fungi, bacteria and viruses. The treatment provides a protective barrier for up to eight hours. That is how to clean your workspace.

You should be fogging  which is carried out by making use of environmentally friendly and pesticide-free micro-droplets.  These float through the air for about ten minutes, reaching hard-to-get spots. The disinfecting fogging service is one of the most effective ways of sanitizing those hard-to-reach surfaces of any workspace.

“Bedbugs are Nasty and Are Difficult to Get Rid Of – Don’t Be A Hero and Call on The Professionals” 

How to Rid Your World of Nasty Bedbugs 

Bed bugs are nasty and unwelcome bugs that can easily infest your home, no matter how often you clean your environment. And don’t try to be a hero either. Once you have an infestation, they are almost impossible to be rid of. DIY methods are not effective. It is advisable to use professional pest control services such as the experts at Mostert Pest Control for thorough fumigation of your premises or home. 

What do Bedbugs Look Like – What are you Looking for? 

Bedbugs are little in size, oval and brownish – their bodies are flat and are about the size of the seeds of apples (about 6.44 mm long). Once they have fed on the blood of humans, they swell up and become redder than brown. Bedbugs don’t fly and move very quickly over ceilings, floors and walls. The females lay hundreds of eggs during their lives – these eggs are no larger than a tiny dust speck. 

The nymphs (undeveloped bedbugs) shed their skins numerous times before adulthood and they need to feed on the blood of the host after each time skin is shed. Bedbugs take a month to reach full maturity, producing up to three generations in a single year! 

Bedbugs are nasty but do not transmit any serious illnesses. Getting rid of bedbugs is key.

Where Are Bedbugs Found 

Bedbugs like to hide in cracks and crevices such as floorboards, in plug sockets and behind headboards during the day, coming out at night to feed on the host’s blood – usually when the host is asleep. Infestations will soon become obvious by the nasty welts and blisters that appear on the host’s skin and the smear of the faeces of the bugs on bedding and mattresses. 

When there is a serious infestation there is a distinct, unpleasant smell that accompanies these creatures. 

Bedbugs tend to scatter throughout rooms and could spread from one location to the next. Bedbugs are not particular and can be found in clean as well as dirty environments. 

Before replacing your mattress with a new one, ensure the infestation is completely gone, otherwise, the problem will simply repeat itself. 

When Bedbugs Come Out at Night to Feed 

Bedbugs are nocturnal and usually bites the hosts while asleep. Feeding takes place when they pierce the skin and draw blood through a beak that is elongated in appearance. The bites are not painful at first, but they can turn quite nasty, forming welts, are itchy, and can cause swelling and blisters. The bites could easily be mistaken for those caused by fleas and mosquitoes, although they are distinctly different. 

To make the right diagnosis, it is important to pinpoint where the bugs are hiding before getting rid of bedbugs . 

Definite Signs of Bedbugs 

• Look out for eggshells and shed skins in areas that bedbugs like to hide such as cracks and crevices 
• Look for dark spots that are rusty in appearance on your bed clothes, on walls and bedding 

• There will usually be a nasty smell caused by the scent glands of the bedbugs 

Getting Rid of Bedbugs 

Get rid of clutter as this could be the ideal hiding and breeding place for bedbugs. The first sign of an infestation is small rusty-looking spots where they are nesting. Bedbugs nest in mattresses, upholstery, on clothes and in bedding. Wash everything in hot water to get rid of bugs and their eggs. 

The first steps to take in getting rid of bedbugs is to do a thorough cleaning of all soft furnishings such as carpets, chairs, mattresses, curtains and cushions. Wash these in very hot water and tumble dry them on the highest setting. Anything that cannot be washed such as shoes and soft toys in the tumble dryer and run this for 30 minutes. 

Run a hard brush over the seams of your mattress to remove any eggs before vacuuming thoroughly. Once you have completed vacuuming, empty the vacuum cleaner outside and place the bag in an outside bin. 

Place your new mattress or cleaned mattress in a zipped cover to ensure bed bugs don’t return. Did you know that bedbugs don’t need to feed for up to a year? 

Don’t try fumigating or treating infestations through DIY methods as these are both ineffective and could prove to be expensive methods. 

Mostert Pest Control specialists will pinpoint the areas where bedbugs nest and will devise and implement a treatment option that will ensure these bugs are taken care of immediately by implementing a residual contact insecticide together with a total release fumigation method to eradicate bedbugs. 

“Crickets Can Be Destructive – Call in Pest Control Experts to Assist” 

Crickets can prove to be hugely problematic and getting rid of crickets is essential as they can cause untold damage to home lawns, sports fields, golf courses and certain crops. Damage is caused by crickets feeding directly on the roots and by burrowing tunnels that destroy the roots of grass and plants. Getting rid of crickets is needed. Mole Crickets can create massive tunnels of up to a metre long beneath the soil surface where feeding takes place. Waterlogged lawns and fields are a drawcard to these pests where they thrive in damp environments. The tunnels that are dug underground are created to lay their eggs. Mole Crickets prefer moisture-rich soils to dry ground and are therefore often found in swampy conditions or irrigated land. 

Mostert professional pest control services will tackle the problem and implement a maintenance plan, thus saving you money. Pest control prices can escalate if DIY methods are applied and are often unsuccessful; it is best to call on professional pest control experts the minute you suspect you have an infestation.  

Physical Description of the Mole Cricket 

The Mole Cricket is a large insect that often reaches between 40 – 50 mm in length when it becomes an adult. It does not have elongated hind legs as is the case with other cricket species. Long front legs allow them to burrow in the ground. The Mole Cricket is light brown. The wings in the front are short although the wings at the back are large and adapted for flying. The back wings have tips that are spiked at the ends. The uninterrupted chirping sound that crickets make are produced by male crickets by rubbing the files together. These are situated on their fore wings. 

About getting rid of Mole Crickets 

Mole Crickets are usually accompanied by earthworms, and infested soil will soon feel spongy underfoot. This is perhaps the first sign that you might have a cricket problem. The grass or turf damaged by crickets will lose its density as the root system is destroyed and can lead to lawn and crops dying off. Should infestations become uncontrollable complete areas can be destroyed. 

The chirping of crickets (this is made by the male crickets) can be irritating and dogs are also known to dig holes in the lawn to chase after the sound of crickets. 

Methods Used to Getting Rid of Cricket Infestations 

Getting rid of crickets. The first step towards controlling Mole Crickets is by doing away with areas where water gathers. Usually on or next to lawns and by ensuring lawns are mowed regularly and that lawns and flower beds are weeded; furthermore, the removal of any existing wood piles is essential to keep crickets in check. 

Crickets are attracted to light. By changing your outside globes to lesser intense globes (yellow globes or sodium vapour lamps), is a step towards controlling harmful crickets. 

Our professional Mostert Pest Control specialist teams use Microencapsulated products as well as powders that are described as being “ wettable”. Both methods are effective and are usually applied to cracks and crevices or any other possible hiding places. 

Typical Behavior or the Mole Cricket 

During the mating season, the male crickets use burrows to sing their mating songs to attract the females. The song the males sing also enables them to test the moisture content of the hole. 

Older nymphs and adult Mole Crickets over-winter in soil. The eggs are laid in spring with hatching taking place soon thereafter. Females lay huge quantities of eggs. Getting rid of crickets start here and these can be between 100 and 200 eggs that are laid in the soil in chambers. Female Mole Crickets produce as many as ten clutches of eggs with about 450 eggs in each clutch. Females are extremely protective of their eggs and stay with them right until they hatch  

The nymphs mature during the warm summer season. This causes the most amount of damage during the late summer months and early autumn. 

If Mole Crickets destroy your lawn, sports fields, crops or golf courses then call Mostert Pest control experts. They will tackle the problem before it gets out of control. 

Scientists have identified over 120,000 fly species in the world, but it’s likely there are many more. You can find flies in almost any place in the world except Antarctica. The most common kind of fly you are likely to encounter is the housefly.

Houseflies are widespread because they reproduce quickly and in large numbers, making them tricky to get rid of. Although house and fruit flies do not bite, they are pretty gross. Flies can share more than 100 harmful bacteria that make humans sick.

It may feel like flies show up where we live with no warning signs. Where do they come from and how do they end up in our homes? To figure out where flies are coming from, it’s important to understand their breeding habits.

Where Do they Lay Their Eggs?

Although they only live about 21 days, female houseflies can lay up to 600 eggs in their lifetime. The female fruit fly is even more productive, laying up to 500 eggs during its 8 – 10 day life. Flies lay their eggs in garbage cans, compost piles, excrement, and rotting organic material.

Fly eggs are small and difficult to identify. All it takes is one female fly laying eggs in your bin, and before you know it, you have a fly infestation. Flies typically hatch outside and then find their way into homes through structural weak spots, such as damaged weather stripping or torn windows and door screens.

How Do You Get Rid of Them?

Houseflies don’t often breed inside, but garbage bins inside our homes can house them. If flies breed indoors, a dustbin is an ideal environment. Flies are naturally attracted to decaying organic matter like rotting meat, and fruit flies are attracted to sugary substances like fruit, fizzy drinks, and alcohol.

For this reason, it is important to make sure all trash bins are kept clean, and that garbage is regularly thrown out. You could avoid a fly infestation. Throwing out fruits and vegetables before they rot will also help keep fruit flies away. Keep your kitchen clean, and it will attract fewer flies.

You can help prevent a fly invasion from happening by regularly throwing out trash. Seal all garbage bins and remove pet waste immediately. Finally, make sure all windows and doors have screens free of rips or tears.

What to Do If You Have a Fly Infestation?

If you suspect a fly infestation at your home, the best way to get rid of the infestation is to contact pest control experts. You can buy fly traps in stores designed to attract, trap, and kill flies. These traps can be effective, but they are not always enough to stop an infestation. Experts in pest control will assess the level of infestations, identify its source, and offer you solutions.

 1. The Kitchen

The sink provides a water source that ants need to survive and a means for them to access food. Not immediately cleaning up crumbs and spills may be inviting ants in. Apply these tips to keep ants out of your kitchen ( where do ants hide):

• Store sweet staples like sugar, syrup, and honey in plastic containers that snap shut, and wipe them down to remove any sticky residue.
• Place a bay leaf inside canisters of dry goods like flour to keep the ants out. The herb’s pungent scent repels ants and other common pantry pests.
• Clean up grease spills from countertops and floors as soon as they happen.
• Take the trash out regularly.
• Check the fruit bowl; any overripe fruit will attract ants.
• Keep an eye out for water build-up in the sink and leaks around the faucet.
• If you have pets, pick up any leftover food and wash the bowls regularly.

2. The Bathroom

Areas around the house with excess moisture are known to attract ants, so bathrooms are highly susceptible to an infestation. To prevent an infestation in the bathroom, homeowners should take the following steps:

• Occasionally inspect sinks, toilets, and tubs for any leaks or drips to find out where do ants hide.
• Give the bathroom a thorough cleaning by scrubbing the floors with disinfectant cleaner and wiping down the inside of drawers with warm, soapy water.
• Check that shampoo, lotion and soap bottles are secured and that their contents have not spilled out of their containers.

3. Building Exterior

To keep ants from finding a way inside, homeowners should pest-proof the outside of the home. By going around the physical structure of the home and pest-proofing, you will limit access points. You can carry out such pest-proofing by:

• Sealing any cracks with silicone caulk
• Repairing holes in window and door screens
• Fixing loose mortar around the foundation and windows
• Keeping tree branches trimmed back and away from the house

Ants are considered one of the most difficult pests to control , where do ants hide, well, because colonies often contain many thousands of members. If you notice ants inside your home, please contact Mostert Pest Control Services for Ant extermination services.

There are about 20,000 different species of bees in the world. The sharp decline of honeybee populations continues to this day, researchers say. According to experts, the continued critical loss in managed honeybee populations is unsustainable.  

Honeybees are essential for the pollination of flowers, fruits, and vegetables. This makes honeybees one of the most important agricultural commodities. Much of the produce found in grocery stores is pollinated by millions of honey bees.  

In spite of their critical importance, honeybee farmers report losing entire hives in a growing downtrend. Over the past 15 years, bee colonies have been disappearing in what is termed the colony collapse disorder by National Geographic. Data shows bee populations dwindling more and more at an alarming rate each year.  

Why are honey bee populations are declining? 

The largest contributor to the decline of bee health is the varroa mite, a parasite that invades hives and spreads diseases. Other reasons for the loss in the population are loss of habitat and poor management practices.  

What should I do if there is a beehive on my property? 

To save the bee population, please contact a beekeeper who can remove the hive without exterminating the bees, you can also contact Mostert Pest Control Services, we will be able to advise. Beekeepers use smoke to calm bees when they are collecting honey or relocating a hive. Do not exterminate the bees.