A pest infestation in your restaurant is a quick way to lose the customers you have worked diligently to attain. With the prominence of social media, word-of-mouth has gone to a completely different level – it only takes a moment to destroy a solid reputation. If you are a restaurant owner, it is important that you take the necessary steps to protect your patrons, employees, and restaurant from pests.
1. Train employees on strict hygiene and sanitation procedures.
Your staff works on the front line of your business day in and day out – it’s crucial that they are properly trained to implement sanitation and hygiene protocols in storage areas, food preparation surfaces, and around the restaurant as a whole.- Wipe up spills and don’t leave remains of food on tables, floors, or prep areas. Pests are looking for their ideal living situation, which definitely involves a steady food supply – make sure food isn’t left out in the open for the taking.
- Make sure trash is properly bagged and closed tightly when thrown in the dumpster. Trash should be taken out immediately, never left on the floor by the door for the next time someone goes out.
- Bus and clean surfaces and floors as soon as possible after customers leave their table.
- Clean drains and traps regularly to ensure food doesn’t collect, which will most certainly attract bugs and other flying pests.
2. Create a strict protocol to manage storage areas.
A pest infestation in your stored inventory could end up costing you quite a bit of time and money in lost products. Take the necessary precautions to prevent pests from getting into supplies by training staff and management to follow proper storage protocols.- Make sure food and beverage supplies are closed and completely sealed.
- Use proper rotation procedures, with the first products in being the first ones to go out.
3. Perform regular inspections and maintenance throughout the restaurant.
Proper inspections of all areas of the restaurant coupled with a swift response to address maintenance issues as they arise will go a long way in preventing problems with pests.- Fix dripping faucets or leaks in plumbing immediately. Moisture attracts roaches and other critters, whether in a bathroom or in the kitchen areas – and once the roaches are in, they will most certainly spread.
- Seal holes and crevices in both interior and exterior walls to close off entry points for pests.
- Make sure doors and windows close tightly and are properly sealed – you’ll prevent pest access AND save on your utility bills!
It may be easy to let some of these routine steps fall by the wayside as a busy restaurant owner. Instead of carrying the weight of pest prevention alone, involve your staff – take the time to train and instruct them not only in what they should do, but why. When everyone shares a vision of excellence and works together to follow these simple steps, it will go a long way in preventing pest infestations in your restaurant. If you do business in the San Joaquin Valley, contact San Joaquin Pest Control today to discuss how they can best serve you with their integrated approach to commercial pest control.
