Pest control can be a huge challenge for a restaurant. The ongoing presence of food tempts pests inside, and it can be easy to overlook the early symptoms of a problem in a busy commercial kitchen. Yet, it is especially important for hygienic reasons to make sure insects and other pests don't get into your restaurant. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to ensure that your restaurant's kitchen and dining room are free of pests.
Tip 1: Manage Your Dumpster
Your waste disposal methods could be luring pests onto the property. Begin by placing the dumpster at least 50 feet away from your building, if possible. Choose an area with a hard surface so it is easy to clean up spills from around the dumpster. All food waste needs to be bagged before being placed in the receptacle, and the lid should always be kept closed when you aren't loading the dumpster. An access fence around the dumpster will further keep out animal pests as well as human scavengers, who could leave a mess that attracts other pests like insects. As a final step, make sure all garbage inside the restaurant is taken out at the end of the business day.
Tip 2: Schedule Regular Perimeter Treatments
Treating the perimeter of your restaurant with pesticides creates an invisible barrier that keeps roaches, ants, and other pests from making their way into your restaurant. For even better coverage, have both the exterior and the interior perimeters treated at least once a month.
Tip 3: Put a Monitoring Plan In Place
Catching a pest invasion early makes it much easier to eradicate. Your exterminator can help you develop a monitoring plan for the types of pests that are the biggest issue in your area. Sticky traps for rodents, roaches, or other pests are one option. These can be placed in hidden areas where these pests tend to go. Check them daily — if they catch a pest you can plan for prompt treatment.
Tip 4: Store Food Correctly
All food in your restaurant's kitchen needs to be stored in sealed containers made of glass or plastic that is thick enough that a pest can't chew through it easily. Store food off the ground on a riser to further minimize access to your items.
Tip 5: Insist On Thorough Cleaning Protocols
Finally, make sure the restaurant's kitchen and dining room are cleaned thoroughly at the end of every business day. Don't leave behind any messes for the day staff to clean up in the morning. This means sweeping, vacuuming, and mopping all floors as well as wiping down walls and tables, cleaning prep and cook areas, and ensuring all the dishes are done and put away.
Contact a commercial pest management service for more help.