The last place you want to see a pest like a mouse or a cockroach is in a restaurant as you eat a meal. One sighting of a pest is all it takes to lose your appetite, or, if you are the owner of the restaurant, to lose business. Restaurants will attract pests but by setting up preventative measures to make sure you keep them out as well as hire a professional pest control service to eradicate any that may have crawled inside will help ensure that the only thing your customers have to worry about is how delicious the food tastes.
How do pests get into the restaurant?
Pests want to get into your restaurant because of the food, the deliciously stinky garbage, and the humid kitchen and dishwashing station. Take prevention tips like:
- Having all cracks and damaged weather stripping fixed and replaced
- Stay on top of the trash by frequently removing it from the kitchen and have regular trash can cleanings
- Have lids on all trash cans
- Identify where water can accumulate and be left standing. Regularly push it toward the drain
- Wipe down all surfaces after every use
- Sweep under tables after every party leaves
- Store all food in airtight containers
- Have scheduled checks for pests in food and in food storage areas
- Follow the First In, First Out policy so that food is not left to rot
- Have an annual pest treatment by the professionals
Restaurants can obtain pests in many different ways. Pests do not just come through the doors when they smell something that strikes their fancy. There are a lot of boxes of food and supplies being shipped to restaurants weekly. Many pests, like cockroaches, can be stowed away in these boxes and scurry away when the boxes are open. Some actual food products may have pest infestation upon arriving at the restaurants. Be sure to inspect the boxes for any evidence of pests, like thin webbing and holes or damage to the box by critters. Reject the shipments immediately if there is any sign of pests. You don’t want to add to the problem by inviting an infestation into your restaurant.
How to eliminate pests from your restaurant
If you still have pests despite your best efforts to prevent them from coming into your restaurant, you should continue to keep these practices. But now, it is time to call in a professional to have your restaurant treated immediately for pests. Do not let your business suffer because of pests. Hiring a pest control company who has the unique experience of treating restaurants can make all the difference to put your mind at ease when it comes to keeping your business steady and your restaurant free from pests. Give San Joaquin Pest Control in Visalia a call to treat your restaurant for pesky pests so they won’t disrupt your business.
