Pest Control for Restaurants 

Today, we’re going to discuss something crucial for the food service industry – pest control for restaurants. 

Roaches, rodents, and other pests can be a significant nuisance for restaurants across the United States. Not only can they be gross, but they can also make people sick and cause restaurants to lose money. Let’s learn more about why pest control is so important and what types of pests typically infest restaurants. 

The Importance of Pest Control 

Reasons that a quality pest control service is important for restaurants: 

1. Gross– Who would you want to eat at a restaurant that had bugs crawling around? 

2. Social media- If customers see bugs in a restaurant, it can obviously damage their reputation. Customers seeing the pests will certainly tell their friends & family not to eat there causing them to lose customers.

Almost everyone has a cell phone in today’s world and are more than happy to snap a picture and post it online. We all know that a negative post or review can be extremely harmful. 

3. Health Ricks- Insects like cockroaches, flies, and rodents can carry germs and bacteria that can make people sick. Salmonella, gastroenteritis, and dysentery are common foodborne illnesses.

4. Inspections- Insects and rodents can also impact your health inspection. If an inspection finds repeat or serious pest issues, it can force the business to close down until the issues are resolved. Once a restaurant fails an inspection, it becomes a matter of public record. If you have every seen a “Dirty Dining” post on the news or on social media, you know how it draws negative attention. 

5. Loss of product- Pests like mice and rats can chew through food packaging, ruining the food and causing it to go to waste. Cockroaches are also known for hiding inside of napkins, cups and other products used to serve food and drink in. 

Inspectors may close a restaurant if they find bugs until the issue is resolved. This can lead to employees leaving and finding new jobs, customers asking questions, and negative press. 

Common pests in Restaurants

Now, let’s talk about insect control and some of the pests that can infest restaurants, as well as the problems they can cause. 

Cockroaches 

Cockroaches are simply gross. They can spread health risks that cause food poisoning and illnesses. They hide in dark and warm places, such as kitchens. They can also get into food storage areas. The german cockroach is an all too common occurance in restaurants. 

Flies

Flies are attracted to food and can quickly spread germs from one place to another. They can land on food and surfaces, leaving behind bacteria that can make people sick. Plus, nobody wants to have to swat flies buzzing around while they’re trying to enjoy a meal! 

Flies are attracted to organic matter buildup in drains or preparation equipment. They can also be attracted to trash dumpsters near the building. Flies may also be attracted from infrequent trash removal. 

Rodents 

Mice and rats are also common pests in restaurants. They can squeeze through small openings and quickly multiply if not controlled. Rodents can they contaminate food and surfaces with their droppings and urine. They also cause damage by chewing through product, soad lines, wires, and AC ducts. 

Take Action 

So, what can restaurants do to stay pest free? Well, the best way to prevent pest infestations is to hire a pest control professional like Rodent Solutions. We can help no matter what the issue. 

“Cleanliness before everything else!” Keeping the restaurant clean and tidy is the most important. This involves cleaning floors, countertops, drains, cooking areas, food storage and all areas regularly. Performing a rodent exclusion on the building to seal entry points will prevent rodents from entering. Storing food properly in sealed, glass or metal containers will also prevent rats from chewing into products. Taking out the trash regularly to avoid attracting pests is a commonly overlooked item in our experience. We can help will of recommendations and treamtent. Be it exclsuion services, safely treating for pests, setting traps, and/or impliment a baiting systems. Whatever is needed for your particular pest pressure and issue, we can help 

Pest Control Tailored to Your Needs 

There’s no “one size fits all” program for a restaurant with a pest problem. We can set up the perfrect system to keep your customers safe and business running smoothly. Working with a professional pest control company aligned with your goals, we can prevent pests from infesting your establishment. We can help you avoid the health hazards and economic impacts they can cause. Next time you have an issue, give us a call at Rodent Solutions! We handle commercial pest control for many restaurants, daycares, medical facilities, and other sensative accounts. We would love the chance to keep your business on track with our restaurant pest control services.