Common Pests of the Food Service Industry

Pests are a major concern in the food service industry, as they can contaminate food, damage reputations, and lead to health code violations. Here’s a look at common restaurant pests and essential steps you can take to prevent infestations in your establishment.

German Cockroach

German cockroaches are responsible for spreading diseases and triggering allergic reactions, especially in children. They have been found to carry 33 bacterial strains, six types of parasitic worms, and multiple human pathogens. Their ability to rapidly reproduce makes infestations difficult to control. Research links their allergens to asthma flare-ups. Their presence contaminates food and damages surfaces.

Kitchen and service areas with heat and moisture provide the perfect habitat for German cockroaches. They may also enter an establishment through employees’ personal items.

Prevention Tips for German Cockroaches:

• Exclusion: Prevent pests from entering by sealing gaps around pipes, walls, and other openings, and ensuring cockroaches aren’t introduced through boxes or deliveries.
• Storage: Require employees to keep personal belongings in designated areas to limit the spread of hitchhiking pests.
• Sanitation: Regularly inspect incoming goods, minimize food spills, and maintain strict cleanliness to deter pests.

Filth Flies

Filth flies are notorious for spreading harmful bacteria and posing serious health risks in food establishments. Because they breed in decaying organic matter, they easily transfer contaminants from unsanitary surfaces to food and preparation areas. Their rapid reproduction makes infestations difficult to manage without proactive control measures. In addition to health concerns, their presence can damage a restaurant’s reputation and lead to regulatory violations.

Outdoor trash bins and dumpsters attract filth flies, leading them to enter the facility. Doors left open frequently can increase the likelihood of an indoor infestation.

Prevention Tips for Filth Flies:

• Door Control: Ensure doors remain closed or install tight-fitting screens to prevent fly entry.
• Vent Screening: Install screens on vents to block flies from entering through openings.
• Air Barriers: Air barriers are used to create a barrier at frequently used doors, preventing flies from entering.
• Physical Barriers: Implement quick roll-up doors or vestibules to provide additional protection and separate sensitive from less sensitive areas.

Rodents

Rodents, such as rats and mice, are a major health risk as they can carry a variety of diseases, including salmonella, hantavirus, and leptospirosis. Their feces, urine, and saliva can contaminate food and surfaces, leading to foodborne illnesses. Their constant gnawing can cause significant damage to buildings, wiring, and insulation, creating fire hazards and structural damage. Effective rodent management is crucial to protect both health and property.

Rodents can inhabit both the interior and exterior of a building. Mice typically seek out warm, undisturbed spots, while Norway rats favor areas with direct ground access. Roof rats, on the other hand, are more likely to settle in attics or ceiling spaces.

Prevention Tips for Rodents:

• Seal Openings: Close any gaps or holes larger than a pencil’s diameter to prevent mice and other rodents from entering.
• Declutter Spaces: Keep areas organized and avoid storing boxes directly on the floor to reduce hiding spots for rodents.
• Inspect Regularly: Routinely check for evidence of mice, such as droppings, gnaw marks, or damaged food, to detect infestations early.

Protect your restaurant from pest damage. Contact Action Pest Control today and keep your business safe!