With the arrival of winter comes a drastic drop in temperature and an increase in clothing layers, but it’s not only humans who are looking to escape the cold. Winter pests also seek shelter from the harsh elements, and one of their favorite places to spend the season is in a nice, cozy restaurant.
To stumble upon a restaurant is like hitting the jackpot for any pest. Not only is it extremely warm, but the unlimited access to food and water is what pest dreams are made of. The most common restaurant invaders during the winter are rodents and cockroaches. These intruders are the fastest way to cause a restaurant to go out of business.
All it takes is one customer seeing one little pest to take down an entire business. Whether it’s a rat scampering out of the kitchen or a cockroach in an innocent salad, one pest spotting can ruin a restaurant’s reputation. Especially in the age of social media, bad press spreads like wildfire – and the minute your dining establishment is associated with pests, it’s very hard to come back from that.
If someone spots one rogue cockroach, this is usually an indication of a larger infestation. Pests are unwanted no matter where they’re found, but in a restaurant, they present a range of health concerns to the greater public.
Pests spread disease through urine and fecal matter. They can carry around bacteria like Salmonella and E.coli, possibly contaminating food and food-prep surfaces. In turn, this spreads germs to employees and customers. They also shed skin that contains allergens that can trigger asthma attacks.
Not only are customers and employees exposed to pest-borne diseases on the premises, but the property itself is in danger of major damage. Rodents, in particular, gnaw on everything, including electrical wiring, which can lead to destructive fires. They get into other fixtures and kitchen appliances that not only causes contamination but also creates a potentially dangerous situation with malfunctioning equipment.
Knowing that pests can destroy your reputation, your inventory, and your property, it’s important to know how to prevent an infestation in the first place. There are certain practices you can put in place to help reduce the risk of pest infestations. Work with your employees to make sure these basic preventative measures are covered.
- Inspect all shipments as they come in, as pests sometimes hitch a ride into the kitchen via the transport of supply boxes.
- Repair or install screens on windows and doors. Keep them closed when possible.
- Use an open-reporting system that encourages all employees to immediately report any pest sightings or signs, like gnaw marks or urine and fecal droppings.
- Implement proper food storage. Keep items in hard plastic containers that are tightly sealed. Inspect stored food regularly for signs of infestation and keep containers at a distance from the wall.
- Maintain routine cleaning policies, from properly disposing of garbage and scrap food to disinfecting counters and kitchen items on a daily basis. Clean drains at least once a day to get rid of any organic matter trapped in sinks and floors.
- Take the trash out multiple times per day, and keep your trashcans lined and covered. Keep the dumpsters at least 15 feet from the building and power wash them and the surrounding area at least once a week.
- Sweep and mop floors to eliminate any traces of food residue. Make sure to properly dry the mop and bucket, as you don’t want to provide a water source for thirsty pests.
The most effective way to protect your property and your restaurant’s reputation is to call in the professionals. Arrow Pest Control provides the full gamut of pest control management services. From identification to elimination, our trained specialists are committed to rid your New Jersey restaurant of these intruders once and for all. We make sure your property stays pest-free with our ongoing prevention services. Call us today so you can rest assured knowing your business, your employees, and your customers aren’t at risk.
