Most common food pests in restaurants

Pest control in restaurants is essential to ensure food safety, comply with health regulations, and maintain your reputation. A pest infestation in a restaurant isn’t just a nuisance; it poses grave risks to food safety, public health, and the bottom line of your business.

Cockroaches, rodents, and flies are common restaurant pests that can contaminate food, spread diseases, and result in failed health inspections. Effective pest management in restaurants begins with prevention. Proactive management reduces the likelihood of infestations and reduces the need for chemical treatment.

Where there’s food, there will be pests. If they can find a way in, of course. Here, we will talk about the most common kitchen pests that can be a problem for your restaurant.

Health and reputation risks of pests in restaurants

• damage to your reputation;
• lost profits due to the loss of customers;
• financial loss from replacing damaged products or claims for compensation;
• prosecution and fines by public health and regulatory authorities;
• closure of your business by public health authorities or regulatory authorities.

Commercial kitchens in restaurants, pubs, cafes, bars, hotels, and other hospitality providers and businesses have a responsibility to provide their customers with impeccable taste in food and to protect their well-being with safe and quality food.

The most common pests in restaurants

Where there are food and water, and easy access to them, there will be pests. Crawling, flying, running, hiding, lurking…

Here are the most food common pests in restaurant kitchens and other food establishments:

Mice and rats

Rodents, specifically rats and mice, are also common pests in restaurants. They can get inside the kitchen in several ways – through drains and sewers, through holes and cracks in walls or in the basement.

Rats and mice can transmit diseases such as Leptospirosis, Toxoplasmosis, Salmonella, and even Lyme disease, Hantavirus, and rat-bite fever.

Additional dangers of having rodents in your restaurant are property damage, contamination, and additional pest infestation – fleas, ticks, and mites. Contamination of the premises with their urine and droppings is also a problem. They can gnaw electrical cords and cause problems for appliances.

Cockroaches

Cockroaches are one of the most common pests in commercial kitchens. They breed rapidly, can enter from various tiny holes, and can feed on pretty much everything there is in a kitchen. 

They are nocturnal animals, and you may not notice them for a long time until it’s too late and there are hundreds of them. In the daytime, they hide in the smallest places and drains, under or behind appliances. This makes them hard to reach and get rid of. Furthermore, cockroaches climb on anything. They may crawl on your grill, cutlery, dishes, etc., which makes them unsanitary to use. 

Cockroaches can also be responsible for transmitting diseases in your restaurant, including E.coli, Listeria, Salmonella, Staphylococcus, and viruses.

Flies

These insects are a great nuisance not only for the kitchen but for the entire commercial property. It is unpleasant and unprofessional to have flies flying around your restaurant and land on people, their food, and cutlery while they are having a meal. 

Some fly species are considered a pest in the food industry: fruit flies, house flies, drain flies.

The main problems with flies are that they carry and transmit pathogens that can cause diseases such as E.coli, Salmonella, Cryptosporidium, Campylobacter, parasitic worms, and others.

Furthermore, in a commercial kitchen where the food and living conditions are good, flies can breed rapidly.

Stored product insects

Common kitchen pests are insects attracted to the abundance and variety of stored food. This is a common term for several types of insects –  beetles, weevils, moths, and mites – that infest food in storage. You’ll find them in cereals, grains, flour, seeds, nuts, dried fruit, spices, and even pasta. 

Once any of the insects appear in your stored food, the only thing you can do is throw it away.

There’s a big concern about stored product insects (SPIs) in the food industry. If left uncontrolled, flour weevils and Biscuit beetles can ruin huge amounts of food. A stored product insect can cause expensive downtime at warehouses that store food especially. Having a warehouse pest control program is a must.

Ants

They are considered more of a nuisance pest and do not pose a health risk to people. However, ants pose a risk to your business’ reputation.  You’ll notice them near your food and waste storage areas. Some ant species can be dealt with by using ant baits, but others may require a professional ant treatment to exterminate them and seal their entry points fully.

Pest control checklist for restaurants

An effective pest control system is essential for a pest-free restaurant. This pest control checklist for restaurants provides a comprehensive guide to preventing and managing infestations:

• Clean food preparation areas – Wipe down counters, cutting boards, and equipment with disinfectants. Clean ovens, fridges, and grills thoroughly..
• Sweep and mop floors – Make sure that you pay special attention to corners, under equipment, and areas where items are stored.
• Empty and clean bins – Dispose of rubbish daily, ensuring bins are sealed tightly. Also, wash bins to prevent residue build-up.
• Inspect for pest activity – Check for signs of cockroaches, rodent droppings, or ant trails. Be on the lookout for pests that live in stored products, such as beetles or moths.
• Restaurant pest management – Schedule monthly inspections with a licensed pest exterminator. Additionally, update employees on pest control procedures and hygiene practices in your restaurant.

Signs of pests in a restaurant kitchen

Whether you’re a restaurant, café, or pub owner, addressing restaurant pest control and food pests should be your top priority. There are strict food regulations in the UK, and infringing them can seriously harm your business.

Pests like rodents and cockroaches usually hide from people. You won’t see any of them come out during the day while the kitchen is filled to the brim with people stealing some of your food. But pests like flies and ants do not do that. If they infest your kitchen, you will see them all. 

Below are the signs of cockroaches and rodents to watch for. If you notice any of these indicators, take prompt and effective measures to manage control and food pests in your restaurant:

Signs of rats and mice in restaurants

• Droppings – dark brown (rats) or black (mice), elongated. Rat’s faeces are bigger than a mouse’s. 
• Squeaking and scratching noises.
• Damage to items in the kitchen – garbage bins, food storage, cardboard boxes.
• Greasy marks/footprints – rodents are filthy, and you may see the traces of their visit in the dirt and grease they leave in their way. 

Read more about the signs of rats and signs of mice infestations.

Signs of cockroaches in restaurants

• Droppings – they can have two forms – round, or oblong (depending on the species) firm faeces that are either dark brown or black. Or they can be runny and appear as smear marks.


• Shed skin – this is something cockroaches do several times in their lifespan. If you see something that looks like a cockroach-shaped piece of skin, even just one, then you have an infestation.


• Dead or alive cockroaches – the surest sign of an infestation is seeing the pest either live or dead. Be it a dead or alive cockroach, there are more where it came from, for sure.


• Unpleasant odour – this is common for heavier infestations. If you’re sensing a weird, unpleasant smell and aren’t sure where it’s coming from, you may have a large infestation.

Why are pests attracted to food handling environments

Regardless of the type of pest, they all come looking for the same things – food, shelter, water, and a place to nest.

• Food – in the food industry, pests will always be a problem. Pests attack your stored food, already-made food, and garbage as well. In a commercial kitchen, there are items from all food groups attracting various pests.

• Water – having places with standing water in the kitchen. It can be a leaking faucet, a puddle left from a wet item, or from cleaning the kitchen counter or floor, etc. Even leaking pipes that are hidden from your sight can attract pests.

• Shelter – if there is easy access to your kitchen and attractive hiding places, you can bet the pests will stay. A cluttered kitchen, or any premise in general, provides for more hiding spots where pests can hide and nest.

• Cleanliness – if your kitchen isn’t well maintained, cleaned well daily, the garbage isn’t thrown out regularly, etc., pests will come lurking. This isn’t only about the kitchen but the dining room of your restaurant as well. It, too, should be cleaned well daily. 

• Easy access – if nothing is stopping them, they will come without any hesitation. Too many doors, no door or window screens, cracks in walls, open windows, etc., are ways that pests can enter easily. 

There are many food laws and regulations that you must be aware of. Anyone who sees a pest in your restaurant can report the local authorities. Making sure you offer good and safe food to your customers should be the number one priority.

That can be achieved not only by hiring the best chefs and buying quality products but with regular checks on the food’s condition. Also, with regular pest inspection, control, and preventive measures.

How to clean a restaurant kitchen after restaurant pest control treatment?

Every pest treatment is unique depending on the property type and size, the type of pest, and the level of infestation. If you choose to hire a professional pest control company for your business, they will advise you to clean the property before the exterminators arrive on-site. 

They will do the appropriate treatment for your restaurant kitchen and will not leave before giving you advice on what is expected from you. What to do after treatment differs according to what method was used and what pesticides. 

But for commercial kitchens, the treatment for insects is with powerful insecticides, and for rodents, it’s with bait boxes and sealing entry points. 

For insect treatment, after using insecticides, you will be advised not to enter the property for a couple of hours to let them settle down. After the waiting period is over, you can proceed with the cleaning of the kitchen.

1. Get your cleaning supplies and gear. 
2. Appoint specific tasks or areas to your team.
3. Vacuum and mop the floors. 
4. Clean appliances outside and inside. They were not sprayed on the inside but to be 100% sure that everything has been cleaned and no small amount of pesticide residue will remain.
5. Vacuum or wipe unprotected furniture. 
6. Clean all work counters with dish soap and/or disinfectant. 
7. Dust and wipe down kitchen cabinets.
8. Do not forget to clean the handles of the appliances and cabinets. 

Of course, you can get paid professionals to do it, but you can also do the cleaning with your team if you have the time.

How to keep pests away from your restaurant kitchen?

To prevent unwanted guests in your restaurant kitchen, there are some things that you can do. 

1. Make a detailed cleaning and disinfecting routine for all shifts to do in the kitchen. 
2. Do regular deep cleans of the kitchen. 
3. Store food properly – store in plastic or glass containers that seal properly.  
4. Get regular pest inspections of the restaurant.
5. Place traps in inconspicuous places as a preventive method.
6. Install screen mesh on windows and doors. 
7. Get the premise inspected for leaking pipes, structural damages and holes that need repairing.

For these and more restaurant pest control prevention tips or treatments, you can get in touch with Fantastic Pest Control in your area. We do commercial pest control and can help protect your business image and reputation. 

Restaurant pest control FAQ’s

• What are the most common pests found in restaurants? – Common food pests include cockroaches, rodents (mice and rats), ants, flies, and stored product pests like weevils and moths. Kitchen pests are attracted to food, water, and shelter.
• How can restaurants prevent pest infestations? – Food establishment can prevent infestations by maintaining cleanliness, sealing food containers, regularly disposing of garbage, fixing leaks, and scheduling professional pest inspections.
• What are the best pest control methods for restaurants? – The best methods for restaurant pest control are installing traps, using non-toxic treatments, sealing entry points, and scheduling regular pest control inspections.
• What are the signs of pest infestations in restaurants? – Signs include droppings, gnaw marks, pest sightings, foul odors, nests, grease marks, or damaged food packaging. Flies or insects in kitchen areas are also red flags.
• How do I get rid of cockroaches in my restaurant? – You can eliminate cockroaches by deep-cleaning areas where food debris collects, sealing cracks and crevices, setting traps, and applying safe pest control treatments. Professional extermination ensures thorough cockroach removal.

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