Employing effective pest control in your business is a necessity by law in the hospitality industry. It allows your customers and staff to be protected from any significant health risks caused by pests present in a restaurant such as cockroaches, flies and rodents. Pest control prevents the entry, settling and infestation of pests and if an effective system is employed it is very easy to monitor, detect and irradicate pests.
These pests can carry harmful bacteria and put every single person that enters your restaurant at risk including customers and employees. Various disease-causing microorganisms are carried by rodents and insects and can result in serious illnesses with pricey treatment plans. Pest control is a serious non-negotiable if you want to run a successful and healthy restaurant.
Some of the risks include a number of diseases like Lyme disease, Dengue fever, and Lassa fever. The good news is that expert pest treatment will help you get rid of them, guaranteeing everyone's safety and well-being in the process. Additionally, reputable pest control companies only use treatments that are safe for humans and the environment.
Let’s discuss the three top risks if your business, for some unbeknown reason, decides against employing professional help.
Employee and Customer Health is at Risk
A restaurant's customer and employee health and safety should be one of the main priorities when running a business. If pest control is not effectively employed it consequently exposes staff and customers to serious health risks and this negligence could result in threatening health issues.
If an employee or customer contracts a sickness from consuming pest-tainted food that was supplied by a restaurant the blame falls directly on the business for not being responsible and ensuring the safety and health of all individuals by operating with effective pest control. Displaying this level of disregard for customer and employee health and well-being is highly concerning and is not demonstrating responsible methods of running a business. If a business is willing to put employee and customer health at risk it poses the question, is it really a business that should be open?
Here are some of the risks employees and customer’s can face if pest control is not effectively employed at a restaurant (to name a few):
Flies
Flies can breed extremely rapidly and whilst doing so will contaminate any food they come into contact with which can cause disease and leave germs on what are intended to be ‘sanitary’ spots in your restaurant's kitchen. Every single time a fly lands on something it regurgitates and excretes (meaning it vomits and goes to the bathroom) on anything it lands on, including the food you are about to serve to your customers.
Diseases they carry:
- Typhoid fever
- Dysentery
- Cholera
- Poliomyelitis
- Tuberculosis
- Leprosy
Cockroaches
Cockroaches can create several allergens that might exacerbate asthma symptoms and lead to life-threatening allergic reactions and their small size allows them to hide in hard-to-reach places.
Diseases they carry:
- Salmonella
- Staphylococcus
- Streptococcus
- Harbours viruses such as the polio virus
Rodents
Rodents are known to chew through pipes, walls, and electrical wiring, which can put your facility in danger. They can also contaminate food processing areas, which can lead to the spread of infections and hazardous microorganisms. They also have the ability to, directly and indirectly, transmit more than 30 diseases to humans via contact with faeces, urine, or saliva onto food or equipment in the kitchen - not something you want in your kitchen!
Diseases they carry include:
- Salmonella
- Tularemia
- Hantavirus
- Leptospirosis
- Lymphocytic
- Choriomeningitis
Stored Product Pests
These pests include weevils, moths, beetles, mites, and other tiny insects that either get into your restaurant through packaged goods like flour, grains, nuts, and other packaged items or find shelter and food there once they arrive. Within these items, they reproduce, consume, and release germs that not only change the flavour but can also trigger allergic reactions or seriously disturb your customers' digestive systems. Because pests in stored goods aren't always obvious, it's important to be extremely vigilant while screening new products as well as frequently rotating and checking the stock for webbing, larvae, visible adult pests, or other indications of an infestation.
Restaurant Reputation is at Risk
Maintaining an untarnished reputation is far easier and less expensive than repairing a damaged one. Use commercial pest control services to maintain positive public perceptions of your business.
Gossip can spread like wildfire these days and this is exactly what will happen if someone visits your restaurant and becomes sick as a result of pest-caused sickness. This will seriously harm your business's reputation which will therefore cause a decline in customers.
Reputation is everything when it comes to running a successful business and is extremely important for potential customers as it indicates trustworthiness, honesty and reliability. If a potential customer hears along the grapevine (and trust me, they will) that a previous customer was facing health issues in relation to pest control negligence executed by your business, they will be sure to not visit your restaurant. This will also result in negative reviews of your restaurant online which will be posted forever and causes a permanent dent in your business's reputation.
Not only does this result in a decline in future clientele, but it also poses a threat to future employees. No individual will actively choose to work for a business that does not employ a pest control solution as this communicates a lack of care for employee health and well-being which is a huge red flag.
Your Restaurant Could be Permanently Closed Down
The health department has every right to shut down your restaurant if it is deemed unsafe and unhygienic and not complying with pest control laws. A Salmonella or E Coli outbreak in a restaurant brought on by a pest infestation will force the business to close its doors and may result in serious legal action, ultimately resulting in the complete closing down of the restaurant.
The majority of states have severe rules prohibiting practising pest treatment in a commercial setting without a licence, which can result in substantial penalties and even prison time for incorrectly administering a chemical and putting the public at risk of pesticide exposure.
If you don't adhere to the minimum requirements established by Food Standards Code Australia, you risk paying some fairly significant fines of up to $40,000. In conjunction with this, you will also have to close down your restaurant and lose all income for the weeks required to fix the pest issues along with the price of professionals to come and do this for you. Something that could have been easily avoided, had professional pest control assistance been sought out in the first place.
In Australia, there are about 4.1 million episodes of foodborne gastroenteritis each year, and restaurants are frequently to blame for these infections. Restaurant operators owe their customers a duty to not serve contaminated food, failing to comply with the minimal food and safety criteria that cause serious health difficulties for your guest might certainly result in negligence and criminal penalties which is more money that your business will lose.
Some Tactical Tips for General Pest Prevention in Restaurants
To use in conjunction with professional pest control
It's an inconvenient fact that all restaurant operators must deal with: where there is food, there are pests. Unwanted dinner guests absolutely love restaurants thanks to the variety of munching choices, optimal moisture and temperature conditions, and places ideal for housing animals.
Here are some tactical tips for general pest prevention in restaurants:
- All surfaces are kept clean and wiped down constantly, ensuring all spills are cleaned right away.
- No food remnants are left anywhere.
- All food is stored in tight containers.
- Remove dampness by fixing any leaking pipes or fridges.
- Seal cracks and crevices around doorframes, cupboards, pipes, tiles etc.
- Dispose of garbage regularly.
- Ensure bin bags are tightly tied and closed.
- Reduce clutter to reduce hiding spots.
- Seal off any cracks or holes that could allow pests to enter from outside.
- Monitor your storage areas closely for any signs of pests, if any are present seek professional help immediately.
- Store food six inches off the floor.
- Inspect any food shipments delivered to your store for pre-existing pests.
- Clean your drains daily - flies love to set up camp here.
- Clean behind and under fridges.
- Educate all staff on pest control prevention.
- Firmly close bin lids when they are not in use.
- Store mops and mop buckets away from food preparation areas.
- Install fly screens on doors and windows.
- Display and implement easy-to-follow cleaning instructions for all staff.
- Monitor outdoor lighting as this can be a magnet for some pests.
- Clean outdoor lighting.
- Inspect any high and hard-to-reach outdoor areas for nests.
- Clean these hard-to-reach areas.
- Maintain landscaping as small rodents are attracted to wild and overgrown landscaping.
Preventive Maintenance For Pest Control
Inspection: The first stage in resolving the overall pest problem is to pinpoint the main points where pests are entering your restaurant or breeding. While many staff members of restaurants may be able to spot a pest outbreak, it typically takes a specialist to be able to spot patterns and locate the particular problem area.
Sanitation: Ensuring that your restaurant's sanitation is regularly maintained each day is the only method to completely prevent the risk of pests. Garbage bins, cans, and dumpsters are some of the biggest offenders for luring pests into your establishment. An excellent method to save money over time is to have a specialised preventive maintenance plan for your waste disposal and sanitation regions.
Exclusion: This means preventing any entryways for rodents or insects into the building and keeping all pests outside. This involves ensuring that walls and doorways are properly sealed and that there are no pest attractants in these locations. Despite the fact that some restaurant staff members might be able to handle this on their own, it is advised that a professional handle any significant sealant job to prevent expensive replacements in the future.
Baiting & Elimination: This describes the procedures used to entice bugs away from a certain building or restaurant in order to reduce any pest risk. A professional should always handle this since they will
be familiar with the necessary handling techniques. It is crucial to have the correct pest management service on hand to assist with these risky operations because baiting frequently employs cages, traps, or chemicals (such as insecticides, etc.).
No More Mr. Mice Guy
The most efficient way to make sure your business is safeguarded from these risks is to make use of an expert pest control solution. It is crucial to safeguard your company's good name, the safety of the environment, and customer and employee well-being. Commercial pest management that is preventive has a little up-front cost, but that expense is negligible in light of the possible repercussions it can deter. Seeking professional assistance is the more sensible, efficient, and proactive course of action for a restaurant, at the end of the day, health is always the greatest wealth and you simply cannot put a price tag on it.
Pestpro at SWS Group provides a variety of commercial pest control services including food and beverage pest control. Pestpro, brings more to the table when it comes to pest control, offering pest control services that are in line with what is required by HACCP-based food safety programs. Pestpro will work fast to provide your business discreet, on-demand treatments specific to your needs. Let pests know their reservations have been cancelled. Pestpro personalises every commercial pest management solution specific to each business's needs. “Our pest control specialists deliver customised protection backed by science to rid your home or business of pests year-round.”
Pestpro will completely look after your business and have you covered. Your professional will check for conditions that invite pests, address present infestations, and stop their life cycle to ward off more intrusions using award-winning training and cutting-edge technology. Your Pestpro specialist will be familiar with the types and behaviours of all pests so they can tailor their solution to deal with typical pests like termites, bed bugs, cockroaches, mosquitoes, rats, and more.
