Restaurant Pest Control
Pest control is essential to any restaurant’s success. Failure to control pests could lead to major losses in customers or even the closure of your business. At first, pest prevention may seem overwhelming when you think about all the different ways that pests can get into your restaurant. If you concentrate on sanitation and cleanliness in a few pest hotspots around the interior and outside of your restaurant, you can stop infestations from occurring.
Interior Pest Control
To deter pests from entering the interior of your establishment, you need to have regular cleaning and sanitizing throughout your business. Additionally, any major unexpected messes and spills need to be immediately addressed before they attract unwanted pests. Below, we’ve outlined a few interior locations that frequently attract pests and how you can prevent problems from appearing in these locations.
- Dining Rooms– After guests have finished eating, wipe down the seats and tables to remove any food waste and crumbs. After a party has left, the area beneath the table needs to be cleaned up. This includes any food waste or crumbs that have fallen on the floor.
- Food prep areas After use, all equipment in your food preparation area should be cleaned. If you have any spills or drips from the food preparation process, make sure to clean them up. They can attract pests.
- Storage Areas Dry food products must be stored in containers that are tightly sealed to prevent problems from gaining access. Store food at least six inches above the floor and twelve inches away from walls to make it easier for staff members to perform routine cleaning and inspection. Use the ” first in, first out ” inventory method to make sure that food is not stored for long periods and does not attract pests.
- All trash cans should be equipped with both lids and liners to prevent problems from entering. These items can make waste containers more sanitary and prevent difficulties from entering. The trash cans should also be cleaned and washed frequently, even after they have been emptied, to ensure there is no leftover food or waste that could attract pests.
- Floor drains– It is important to keep your floor drains clean. They are breeding grounds for problems such as flies. Check your floor drains regularly to make sure that there is no food or loose debris under the grates. You can also clean your floor grates using chemical cleaners to make them less appealing to pests.
Exterior Pest Control
Although indoor pest control and outdoor pest control are handled differently, there is some overlap. Failure to properly maintain your establishment’s exterior can lead to pest infestations. These pests can then make their way indoors, creating several more pest problems. Below, we’ve outlined some outdoor problem areas that need to be addressed to keep your business pest-free:
- Light– Many insects will cluster and swarm near light fixtures. A large amount of restaurant lighting around your business can attract pests, such as flies. This could cause problems. Install lighting fixtures at a distance from your company to offset the problem.
- Waste Containers– Just like indoor waste containers, outdoor dumpsters can cause pest problems. Keep dumpsters closed with lids that fit tightly to prevent pests. Dumpsters must also be cleaned and sanitized frequently and never overflow. Dumpsters should be kept away from the entrances and doors of your business. This will prevent an infestation if pests do get attracted.
- Entrances & Exits– Entrances & exits provide pains with an easy way to enter the establishment. Close doors and windows to prevent problems. You can use a door sweep as an additional measure of protection to close the gap between your doors and the floor. In areas where doors are opened frequently for long periods, an Air Curtain can be used to keep pests at bay.
Common Pests
Understanding the most common pests is just as important as knowing where to apply pest control. Each pain presents a different problem to your business. We’ve listed some of the most common pests that you may encounter based on your business and geographical location.
Rodents
You’re likely to encounter rodents like mice and rats. Rodents are a sign of unhygienic conditions, which will reduce business if they’re spotted in your establishment. Not only are they unsightly, but rodents can carry deadly diseases like salmonella, E. Coli, and listeria. Rodents are also known to chew through electrical wiring and food packaging, which can cause a lot of damage to inventory and appliances. To keep rodents at bay, check out our products for rodent control.
Cockroaches
Customers will also have an immediate reaction to cockroaches if they see them. These pests can spread pathogens that are dangerous to your customers and staff. Cockroaches can survive for weeks without water or food. Some cockroaches can survive for weeks without a head. Check out our crawling insect control products to combat an infestation of cockroaches effectively.
Flies
Flies may not cause as much alarm to customers as rodents and cockroaches would, but they are still a threat to your business. Flies can carry hundreds of different diseases and can contaminate food by simply landing on them. Flies can spread disease quickly because they are mobile. Liquids and sugary foods attract this pest. So, clean up spills as soon as possible. Our products for flying insect control will help to keep your business safe from pests.
Stored Product Pests
Pests found in packaged products such as flour, grains, and nuts are classified under the term “stored product pests.” These pests can include beetles and mites as well as weevils. These pests can be difficult to detect because they remain in the stored product. If these pests are not noticed, they can cause allergic reactions in customers and even lower the quality of the product. In order to combat problems in stored products, you need to inspect all new products. Checking existing stock for signs of infestation, such as webbing and larvae, is also a good idea.
Hotel Pest Control
Indoor pest control in the hospitality industry shares some similarities with restaurant pest control but also presents its unique challenges. Just like in restaurants, your business needs to be kept clean and problem areas addressed. However, additional methods need to be taken in hotel rooms and other lodgings, combating unique pests like bed bugs.