Pest Control in the Food Service, Catering & Hospitality Industries
By Morris E. Brown
It can be said that in the food services industry - be it café, restaurant or caterer that perception and image is everything. Once listed in your local newspaper as having been noted - or even closed down by your local city, state or provincial health department authorities and you are as good as finished. Dead in the water for forever. Once in people minds - especially if the newspaper article is graphic and descriptive and all most of your customers or potential customers can say or think about your establishment or food service is "yuk" and "I will never go there". If you are a caterer then you can well think about canceled events that you have booked never mind a dearth of new meal and catering contracts and bookings is they weddings, bar mitzvahs or staff Christmas parties.
As with most things and events in life and in the food services, hotel and hospitality service industries prevention is key. Count on it. A major role of fire departments is prevention and so should pest prevention be in your case.
Not every rodent is an attractive pet hamster. To keep those pesky pest rodents - in most cases rats and mice - away the first rule and step is for operators of food service establishments to ensure that there is absolutely no way for these pests to gain entry into their establishments. What this means is that all plumbing and electrical lines must be sealed perfectly tight and sealed tight. Next in addition all holes and cracks in the drywall areas need to be patched promptly and well. Another alternate means of entry for these lovely animals is though open delivery doors. Using mechanical traps, in these high risk areas of encroachment and entry usually does the trick. If possible it is always best to catch these pests alive. They can always be dropped off at night in the immediate vicinity of any of your worst competitors.
In addition it is often recommended by professional pest control experts and services that it is best in restaurants and the food service trade , when planning or upgrading you kitchen areas not to use shelving that goes all the way to the ground ( the floor) . All in all this allows for easier cleaning , less clutter and in the end less hiding spots and hidden areas for pests of all kinds to reside , and breed in comfortable , safe nests as well. In addition when it comes to storage of any food products or ingredients these should be as a matter of standard routine placed on higher shelves and in sealed containers.
Lastly in terms of those often most resistant pests - cockroaches , it is observed and is more than well known , in the pest control trades , that cockroaches love water and moisture. Thus always instruct your staff to be more than careful and be vigilant against any areas and places of standing water. Take care, and advise your staff as well to get rid of any standing water - including water that may be residual in any dishwasher machines.
To finish off, when it comes to pests in the restaurant trade and food services industry prevention is key. Keep your areas clean, don't allow pests to enter and lastly always remember to take out the garbage and trash properly. Trash of course must be removed off site promptly and quickly in a regular and routine schedule. Ensure that your garbage is removed on a regular and frequent trash pick up schedule.
If pest problems plague your food or hospitality service business you are as good as finished. Your reputation and image once lost in the food service trade, once lost is gone and can often never be recovered or renewed.
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