A rodent infestation can be devastating to the operations of any restaurant. Rodents act as vectors of bacteria and diseases as they travel, potentially causing severe illness in staff and customers that come into contact with contaminated ingredients and food.
As such, having rodents active in or around your restaurant can severely harm your restaurant’s reputation and customer safety if adequate pest maintenance is not carried out promptly.
Keeping your restaurant rodent-free is vital for both customer patronage and the health & safety of those working at or visiting your restaurant. In this article, we will look at ways to keep your restaurant rodent-free and how best to resolve a rodent infestation if you have one.
Inspect Your Premises
Even if rodents are uncommon in your area, it is advisable to conduct a thorough inspection of your restaurant premises for signs of rodents and other pests every two to three weeks as a precautionary measure.
The main areas to inspect are your storage space, where food and ingredients are stored, as well as nooks and crannies like the area underneath equipment or between shells. The signs of rodents being active in your restaurant include:
- Bite or gnaw marks on cables, woodwork, plastic, brick, lead pipes, and torn bags of foodstuff and materials.
- Nesting materials, such as paper scraps and other soft materials
- Holes, tracks, droppings, and any physical evidence that a rodent has been in the area
- Hearing scratching, gnawing, and movement noises made by rodents.
- Sighting a live rodent around the premise
If you find potential signs of rodents in your restaurant, it’s best to call your local restaurant pest control specialist to resolve the issue as swiftly as possible.
Block Possible Entrances
If rodents enter your restaurant from outside, take the time to figure out where they are coming from through their tracks.
Rats and mice can often get through tiny holes and cracks in the exterior of your building, so check for and seal any cracks or crevices. Another common entry point for rodents is drainage pipes, which you can solve by installing a metal mesh at the drain exit.
Doors and windows are also common entry points for rodents, so keep them closed when not in use and make any necessary repairs if they’re loose. If you must leave doors and windows open, installing a mesh screen can help keep rodents and other pests out.
Aside from rodents entering your restaurant from the outside, food deliveries may also bring rodents with them. Use a reputable supplier and inspect the shipment for signs of rodents before signing off on it.
Reduce Access To Water & Food Sources
Restaurants often fall prey to rodent infestations due to the amount of food and leftovers produced daily. One of the best ways to keep rodents out of your restaurant is to remove any potential food and water sources that they may have in or around your restaurant.
To prevent rodents from being attracted to your restaurant, you should throw food scraps and leftovers away as soon as possible to avoid attracting rodents. Garbage should be removed from the building several times daily, and garbage cans and dumpsters should be appropriately secured and sanitised regularly.
Hygiene and cleanliness are also essential, as a clean dining and kitchen area prevents rodents and other pests from entering the restaurant. Regarding storage, keep your food and ingredients safe in food-grade containers, and keep food away from areas where rodents can easily access it.
You may also attract rodents to your restaurant if you leave easy access to water. Moisture and spills should also be dealt with immediately; ensure the kitchen counter and floors are dry and repair any leaky taps or faucets you may have before leaving your restaurant.
Hire Restaurant Pest Control
The easiest and fastest way to deal with a potential rodent infestation in your restaurant is by contacting your local restaurant pest control specialist. Pest control specialists have the knowledge and experience of handling rodent infestation and can thoroughly remove any traces of rodents from your premises.
If you’re looking for commercial pest control in Melbourne, Positive Pest Solutions can help. We approach rat and mouse control in Melbourne from the top down, providing guaranteed solutions and as many visits as you need to ensure your problem is resolved. Get in touch with us today for more information about our services.
