What can cause ongoing pest problems in commercial food facilities?

New shipments of contaminated food can significantly contribute to ongoing pest problems in commercial food facilities. When food products arrive contaminated, they can introduce pests such as rodents, cockroaches, and various insects into the environment. Even a single shipment of infested goods can lead to an infestation if the pests find suitable conditions in which to thrive. These infestations can then persist if not properly addressed, leading to continuous pest issues within the facility.

While other factors like improper waste disposal, high customer turnout, and unsanitary cooking practices also influence pest problems, they do not specifically initiate infestations as directly as contaminated food shipments can. For instance, improper waste disposal can attract pests, but without contaminated food, the other elements may not create a long-term pest problem. Therefore, the presence of contaminated shipments is a critical factor in understanding and managing ongoing pest issues in food service operations.