As a food-related business owner, your top priority should be your customers’ and employees’ safety and satisfaction. And this means keeping your restaurant pest-free.

A pest invasion creates financial problems and could lead to irrefutable harm to your local reputation and fines from the US Food and Drug Administration.

Having a plan of action is the best way to avoid a business-crushing pest control issue and keep your customers coming.

To help, we created a 9-step restaurant pest control plan and guide to help you learn about effective restaurant pest control strategies for your Northeast and Southeast Pennsylvania businesses.

The Importance of Restaurant Pest Control

Maintaining a pest-free environment is important for the health and safety of your customers and employees. Common pests in restaurants, such as mice and cockroaches, can carry diseases like salmonella and contaminate food through their droppings.

On the financial side, even a single pest sighting can result in negative reviews, a drop in customers, and potential legal action if a health inspection finds violations.

Due to the volume of food and waste that restaurants and food establishments deal with daily, pest control is not an option–it’s a priority.

Common Regulations Regarding Restaurant Pest Control

Furthermore, on the legal side of your business, maintaining a pest-free environment is a requirement under both local health codes and FDA rules. Some of the most important regulations that restaurants have to follow regarding pest control include:

• FDA Food Code: This code establishes best practices for food safety, including pest control measures to maintain a pest-free establishment.
• Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP): Requires restaurants to identify and mitigate potential food safety hazards, including pests, to avoid disease outbreaks or illness.
• Local Health Department Inspections: Restaurants must pass routine health inspections that often include pest control checks.
• Pesticide Use Regulations:Restaurants that decide to take measures into their own hands must use approved pesticides, and licensed professionals must apply them in accordance with safety guidelines.
• Sanitation Standards: Proper waste disposal, food storage, and cleanliness are essential to prevent pest infestations and comply with health codes.

Failure to comply with these regulations can lead to fines, closure orders, or loss of business licenses. Restaurant owners should always stay updated on local, state, and federal pest control requirements to maintain a safe and compliant establishment.

Common Pests Found in Restaurants

Restaurants provide an ideal habitat for pests due to food, water, and shelter availability. Some of the most common pests found in food establishments are bound to include:

• Rodents (Mice and Rats): These small and nimble pests often enter the kitchen through exterior openings or even wide-open backdoors. Once inside, they can chew through wires, contaminate food, and leave droppings that spread bacteria on surfaces.
• Cockroaches: These filthy creatures thrive in warm, moist environments and can spread bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli. They are nocturnal, so you will need to perform an inspection at night.
• Flies: Fruit flies are extremely common in restaurants during the summer and can spread disease if they come in contact with food or people. To combat infestations, common food sanitation measures and fly traps should be set up.
• Ants: Common black ants are attracted to food crumbs and sugary substances. If unchecked, they can quickly grow out of control.
• Stored Product Pests (Beetles, Moths, Weevils): Found in grains, flour, and other stored food products, these pests can damage food and storage containers, leading to heavy financial losses.

Understanding what types of pests frequently infest restaurants can help owners and exterminators devise a plan to target these pests.

Signs of an Infestation

Early detection is essential to preventing a full-blown infestation. While pest sightings will be the most obvious sign, there are a few additional ones that workers and managers should keep an eye on.

• Droppings and urine stains: Often found in pantries, under sinks, and near food storage areas.
• Gnaw marks or holes in packaging: Evidence of rodents or ants chewing through food containers.
• Unusual odors: A musty or foul smell may indicate the presence of cockroaches or rodents.
• Visible pests: Seeing a single cockroach, mouse, or fly could mean there are many more hidden, as these tend to be social creatures.
• Damaged food products: Any signs of food contamination should be addressed immediately, and all damaged products should be disposed of.
• Grease trails or smudge marks: Rodents often leave dark streaks along baseboards and walls, indicating their presence.

Source: The Pest Rangers

Editor’s Note: This article is for informational purposes only, and no endorsement of any vendor(s) should be inferred.