Have you ever thought about how a pest infestation might affect your restaurant’s operations? Pests can carry pathogens that cause diseases, which would contaminate equipment, utensils and food. This would not only compromise the cleanliness of your restaurant, but also the health of your customers, as well as employees. Whether you’re the owner, manager or a food handler in the business, maintaining a healthy commercial kitchen and food safety practices are essential for effective pest control.

In this article, we share some tips on how you can keep pests out of your kitchen.

1. Eliminate food sources

Besides shelter and breeding grounds, food and water sources are a key driving factor that lead to pest invasions. As such, restaurants are a beacon for these critters due to the easy access to food. Cockroaches and rodents, in particular, are omnivores – meaning they eat most things. Proper food storage will protect your dry goods, condiments, and other items outside the refrigerator and freezer from not only being consumed by these pests, but also from attracting more. Make sure to safely store all possible food sources in containers that are kept off the floor and 16 inches away from the nearest wall, in shelving units.

Most pests can survive for up to a month without food, but only a few weeks or days without water. Oftentimes, amidst the fast-paced world of the food and beverage business, it may be easy to overlook leaking faucets, sinks, refrigerators, or appliances. However, these water sources would pose a major attractant left unchecked.

2. Clean regularly

In order to keep pests away from your commercial kitchen, you will want to make sure that you do not attract them in the first place. This would mean creating a pest-proof daily cleaning plan to ensure your restaurant and kitchen are as clean as possible. Your daily cleaning routine should include;

• Sweeping and mopping the floors of the kitchen and dining area
• Cleaning the stove, oven, fryers, grease traps, and filter inside the dishwasher
• Cleaning and sanitising the equipment as well as utensils in each cooking preparation station (E.g., cutting boards, sinks, meat slicers, faucets, etc.)
• Wiping down the menus, condiment dispensers, tables, and chairs throughout the day
• Throwing the rubbish daily

3. Practice FIFO

First In, First Out (FIFO) strategy implies that inventory items stocked first would move out first. This would include putting items with a sooner best before date at the front, while placing items with the further dates at the back or removing them entirely when damaged with bite marks, holes or tears. In most cases, a cockroach invasion first begins with their eggs being found in pre-packed dry produce. Since most of the eggs would take 4 to 6 weeks to hatch, daily inspections would allow you to notice an infestation early on. Store all opened dried food such as flour, cereal and other dried goods in containers with tightly fitting lids to help prevent stored product pests from getting in and to help contain any infestations that do occur. Throwing out fruits or vegetables that are old and bruised will keep fruit flies away.

4. Seal entry points

Rodents are excellent climbers, with the ability to scale your building to enter attics or roofs as well as squeeze through extremely small openings. Make sure to properly seal all holes, cracks, fissures and crevices using caulk or another sealant. This would also reduce the easy migration of ants and cockroaches between any other adjoining units. Installing metal covers over pipes and drains as well as door sweeps in available gaps are the perfect deterrent to these pests. Keep doors and windows closed as much as possible to help prevent fly entry. Instead of propping doors or unscreened windows open, install self-closing doors or windows.

For more information on food safety practices and general requirements of the hospitality industry in Australia, visit the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) website.

If you’re looking for commercial pest control in Melbourne, Positive Pest Solutions can help your business avoid serious damage to not only your premises, but also your reputation. Providing quality pest maintenance services, our team stays up-to-date with the latest restaurant pest control practices to ensure your complete peace of mind. Get in touch with our friendly and reliable team and find out more about how we can help you today!

As one of the most common – and persistent – household pests, cockroaches are a cause for concern due to the bacteria they carry as they crawl along unhygienic surfaces. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), these pests also carry infectious diseases like diarrhoea, dysentery, cholera, leprosy, plague, typhoid fever, and many more viral illnesses. As such, if you have cockroaches in your home or apartment in areas such as kitchen cabinets, the attic, or in your bathroom, it’s important to get rid of them fast.

In this article, we share some tips on how you can manage and effectively remove these critters from your home.

Signs of a cockroach invasion

Before taking you through tips on how to remove these pests, it is important to firstly identify them. The following are some tell-tale signs that indicate there are cockroaches in your home:

• Droppings. Black grainy droppings found around commonly travelled routes such as cabinets, countertops, and walls.
• Moulted skin and egg cases. Nymphs, or young cockroaches shed their skin 5 to 8 times as they mature to adulthood, leaving behind brownish skins around their breeding area. Similarly, traces of egg cases – which are small, oval-shaped dark brown, can also be found in these spots.
• Odour. Cockroaches release an oily smell that is usually pungent and musty. The smell grows in its intensity the longer the infestation.

1. Clean and eliminate food sources

Cockroaches are attracted to dirt, filth and are constantly searching for new sources of food. Just like most pests, cockroaches flourish where food, moisture, and shelter are readily available. They are also omnivores, which means they eat anything. It is essential that you remove easy sources of food like dirty dishes left overnight in the sink, pet food left opened or uncovered, open cardboard boxes of snacks and cereals. Cleanliness is also a particularly important step in preventing and correcting roach invasions. This not only includes cleaning your counters, cabinets, and drawers but also taking out the trash on a regular basis.

2. Fix water leaks

Did you know cockroaches can survive up to a month without food, but only a week or two without water? Oftentimes homeowners have leaks in their homes which go unnoticed, which is why it is important to regularly inspect the faucets, sinks, refrigerators, and appliances in your home to make sure they aren’t leaking or producing excess moisture. Extra measures to wipe down the shower, tub, and kitchen sinks are also effective in deterring this pest.

3. Set cockroach baits

Part of the challenge in dealing with cockroaches is finding their nest, which may not always be feasible without the help of professionals. Even if you successfully identify their location, applying the appropriate product, or baits, can be tricky. Considered as one of the more common cockroach control methods, cockroach baits are an effective solution to dealing with these roach infestation issues. Available in three different forms – solid, gel and liquid, these baits contain a slow-acting insecticide combined with a food attractant to eradicate the critters without having to look for their hiding place.

As the effects of the toxins in the bait take several hours to act, this allows the foraging cockroaches to return to their nests where they will defecate. Following this, any other cockroach that consumes the faeces, saliva, or carcass of the infected roach will then also be affected by the cockroach bait. As such, this method is designed to successfully exterminate whole colonies of cockroaches and future cycles that may be produced.

4. Close off entryways

Once you have removed the cockroaches from your home, it’s time to seal off any possible entryways that would permit access to your home. This method would not only be effective in keeping cockroaches at bay, but also other pests as well. To prevent cockroaches from getting inside your home, use caulk or another sealant to fill possible entry points, including gaps between walls or tile, small crevices, openings around faucets and waste pipes. This is especially useful in homes such as apartments in order to reduce the easy migration of cockroaches between adjoining units.

If you have a cockroach problem on your property, do not wait around before getting the appropriate cockroach treatment – get in touch with an exterminator as quickly as possible.

With years of experience, Positive Pest Solutions is the expert of choice when it comes to cockroach control. From end of lease pest control to pest control maintenance, termite control in Melbourne and rodent control in Melbourne, we have the expertise and level of service ready to solve all your pest related problems with ease. Get in touch with our friendly and reliable team for pest control in Burwood and find out more about how we can help you today!

Although pests are a problem throughout the year, some seasons see more activity than others, and it’s useful to understand how the climate affects their movement.

To help you prepare your property against an unwanted invasion, we’re going to outline how the seasons affect the behaviour of common household pests. We’ll also discuss the best end of lease pet control and commercial pest control methods should you already have a problem on your hands.

Spring: Awakening and mating

Pest activity peaks in spring, especially in the colder areas of Australia where insects awaken from hibernation. As the temperature rises and the flowers bloom, many of the most common household pests start venturing out of their winter nests, inevitably finding their way into your home.

Bees will take advantage of the fresh pollen floating through the air and termites start seeking moist timber. As the first rains of the season hit, ants wander indoors to seek refuge from the deluge.

Spring is also breeding season for many common pests, who congregate in search of a mate. Keep a close eye out for large colonies in and around the home—the earlier you spot them, the easier it’ll be to intervene.

Summer: An outdoor invasion

When the mercury starts to soar, you’ll probably notice fewer insects inside your home as they’ve got plenty of food and water outside. The exception is during torrential midsummer rains when ants invade your home in their thousands.

The most bothersome summer pest in Australia is the fly, which buzzes persistently around the barbeque and contaminates your food. Remember to keep your produce covered at all times, either with a layer of glad wrap or in sealed Tupperware containers. Flies have a habit of finding their way indoors; you’ll need to be vigilant with your fly screen doors and keep a can of insecticide at hand.

The other prevalent pest in the summer is the mosquito, which breeds in large numbers around any water source it can find. Avoid letting liquid pool on the ground and consider draining your water features for the season if the infestation becomes too much.

Bees and wasps also make their presence known in the summer by building big hives around your home. Wasps can be especially dangerous, so train your kids to keep a safe distance and call in a professional to remove the nest. Check the foundations and any overhangs for signs of hidden hives.

Autumn: Sheltering from the cold weather to come

Insects and spiders start looking for shelter in autumn in preparation for winter, so expect to see an influx of bugs inside. Most will hide out of sight in dark, warm places like the crevices and cracks of your walls. Rats and mice pose a more severe threat in autumn, as these unhygienic creatures can significant disruption.

Autumn is a great time to catch up on your home maintenance by blocking off potential entryways to keep the rodents at bay. Inspect your property for any possible access points in the garage, floors, attic, and foundations, then seal them up using a caulking compound or sealant. Take the time to inspect your roof, too, as cracked tiles are a favourite entry point for pests.

Winter: Hibernation time

In the colder regions of Australia, pests seldom cause much nuisance as they tend to hunker down in hibernation until spring. Most ants remain underground to see out the cold weather, while bees and wasps take refuge in trees and logs.

Rats and mice are more likely to invade your home in winter, which is why it’s so crucial to do your annual maintenance before it starts getting cold.

In warm parts of Australia where the winters are mild, pest activity won’t halt entirely, but there will be a noticeable reduction.

Pest prevention

There are several things we can do to treat an infestation of the most common household pests.

Ants

We can apply specially formulated dust and sprays to specific sections of your home to stop ants spreading around the property. Chemical baits are less invasive and work immensely well for certain species of ants, but may take more time and effort to flush out a colony.

Bedbugs

Chemical dust and sprays can be used to kill live bedbugs, but are ineffective against their eggs. Therefore, follow up inspection and treatment is often required. Exposing the affected linen and clothing to extreme heat or cold can help.

Termites

Termite dust effectively kills a known nest, though baits are the better option when the colony cannot be found. Chemical and physical barriers stop termites from spreading around the home, thus reducing the potential for damage.

Rodents

Maintaining a clean and hygienic environment will deter rodents from nesting inside, while rodenticides will stop them in their tracks. Traps are a good, albeit expensive, option where chemicals can’t be used such as food preparation premises. For residential areas, removing food sources and areas of harbourages would be a crucial step. To minimise nesting and breeding, trim the trees around your home so it doesn’t touch the roof, clear away piles of unused items, ensure your grass is kept short and neat, as well as pack away dog or cat food, and bird seeds.

Bees & Wasps

The European wasp can be extremely dangerous and should only be removed by a licensed professional. Applying an insecticide is the best method of removal, preferably early in the morning or late in the evening, while they’re less active and aggressive.

Understanding how the seasons affect pest activity is crucial for protecting your residential or commercial property for the year to come. For professional pest control in Glen Waverley, Wantirna, Bayswater, Springvale, Malvern, Chadstone, Blackburn South, get in touch with the team at Positive Pest Solutions today.

Many people assume that household products will remove pests from their property. The truth is that termites can be unpleasant pests that require termite control services from a professional company to remove them. These crafty creatures usually remain inside the walls of your home, within cavities or even under floors. Rarely visible to the naked eye, termites have their feeding frenzies out of sight without you knowing, destroying your home slowly.

As they’re hard to locate, a specific type of thermal technology and expertise is required to protect your property from termites. Here are the top benefits of hiring professional termite control in Melbourne.

1. Professional Experts

A professional termites company will understand the behaviour of termites, having had to deal with them on a daily basis. By engaging qualified and experienced experts who have the knowledge and capabilities to locate and remove termites with little fuss, you can save money that would instead be spent on ineffective supermarket products.

Termites are clever pests as they ensure that their feeding area isn’t close to where they breed. They also exist in large numbers, so it’s impossible to remove an entire colony by killing just a few. Be sure not to waste your time trying to eradicate termites yourself and look to find a professional that will ensure your termite infestation is gone for good.

2. Proper Resources And Equipment

Access to resources that enable a quality, speedy and effective treatment, allow a professional to be able to penetrate treatment products into narrow and tight spaces. To ensure a technician minimises their visits as much as possible, it’s vital to have quality equipment and products.

Termites are hard to locate, so it’s required to use thermal technology to investigate without creating holes in the walls or ceilings. This non-invasive method of detection ensures that your home or business isn’t exposed to decomposing termites, while not creating cause for repairs to your home or business. Commercial grade products are not only powerful but provide long-term results.

3. Not Enough To Just Clean

It’s often assumed a messy house will lead to termite infestation but this isn’t always the case. Many professionals encourage you to clean your property and remove rotten wood, ventilate all spaces, as well as fix any leaking pipes or gutters. Termites, however, can still exist even after you have done this.

By acquiring the services of a professional, you needn’t worry about the removal of termites as they will treat your entire property.

4. Remove All Pests

The presence of one pest will usually indicate that other pests may be present too. A professional termites company will have the means to be able to treat your property and get rid of other pests too.

There are signs of invasion that an untrained person will not be able to easily detect or simply may not know about. Professionals will be aware of these instances and are skilled on how to quickly identify your pest problem. A benefit of having one pest professional to remove termites is that they can also remove other pests that you may have.

7 Questions To Ask A Termite Inspector

1. What Attracts Termites?

Termites are usually attracted to moist areas, cellulose materials and areas of the property that are close to soil. Although every property is different, a professional termite inspector will still be able to identify the source of the breeding and help you to understand the root cause of infestation.

2. Are Termites Harmful?

Termites don’t necessarily carry diseases, but if they are present in your property, they could spark an allergic reaction if you come into contact with them. It’s important to also be wary of any bites and stings. It’s vital that your termite inspector deals with the problem in a timely manner to prevent any harm to you and your loved ones.

3. Why Did Termites Come Here?

Termites will breed at a property for a number of reasons. They could have already infested your property before you moved in, or arrived from a neighbouring building or from other materials or plants. A professional should be able to identify the root cause and handle it accordingly.

4. Do Termites Naturally Go Away?

It’s unlikely that termites will go away naturally because they need to eat to be able to survive. Termites will breed more termites as they feed on your property and slowly but surely destroy it. Be sure to have your termite inspector treat your property early before the problem escalates.

5. Which Materials Are Termite Proof?

It’s a great idea to ask your termite inspector whether you could make any modifications to your property that could help you avoid the risk of a termite infestation. Your termite inspector should be able to make recommendations based on the condition of your property and the materials used to construct it.

6. Will Supermarket Products Work?

Supermarket products may provide short-term relief but termites are persistent and are likely to breed and feed at places that have not been treated. Termite inspectors will use commercial grade tools and products that ensure the eradication of termites in your property for the long-term.

7. Can You Treat My Property For Termites?

If you’ve engaged a qualified termite inspector, with years of experience, they should be equipped with the required tools and products, to treat various types of properties, no matter how big or small.

Positive Pest Solutions are proud to provide a wide range of services that include termite inspection in Melbourne and termite treatment in Melbourne. Get in touch with our friendly and reliable team today to find out more about our full range of professional services in termite protection in Melbourne.