When you're a restaurant owner, one of the most embarrassing things that can happen to you is having a diner return their meal because they found a pest in it. Not only is this just plain unsanitary, but it's completely preventable. According to Food Service Warehouse, nearly three out of ten restaurant diners told the publication that they would leave and never return to an establishment where they saw a cockroach or other type of pest. Are you prepared to lose that amount of business?
In order to prevent your restaurants' reputation you have to conduct proactive pest control management to run a sanitary business:
First let's discuss the most common pests restaurants face in the kitchen. These will vary from area to area, as well as from cuisine to cuisine. If you import your ingredients from another country, or even from another state, your need to be aware that your food packaging might have some pests on board for a free ride, explained the source. Common hitchhiking bugs include beetles, weevils, moths and you guessed it, cockroaches. Cockroaches will likely find their way in through cracks in foundations or open doorways, but this bug is a serious threat to your foods' sanitation as it hosts a series of bacteria that can cause food poisoning.
Common flies are also a problem as they carry bacteria that contaminates food, and can sometimes mean improper storage of food, said Food Service Warehouse. And last but not least, there's mice and rats. These rodents are especially problematic in big city restaurants, but make no mistake, they can reside in any size restaurant.
Keeping your dining establishment pest-free doesn't have to involve serious heavy duty equipment or pesticides, n fact you really just need to keep an eye on a couple common pest areas, explained the New York State Restaurant Association. Make sure all your doors close properly so there are no gaps or ripped screens where outsiders might be able to enter through. Do not overlook any windows, drains or piping fixtures that lead outside. Everything that leads outdoors should be properly sealed or covered. The other common pest area is around the garbage. This one probably isn't a surprise, but in a restaurant's fast-paced environment these often go untouched for too long. Make sure trash is stored properly and routinely thrown out so as not to attract rodents or flies.
Finally, have your staff wipe down all surfaces at the the end of the night. This doesn't just mean the kitchen - although no appliance should go unscrubbed - but it also means tables, chair, condiment containers, anything that food comes in contact with. Remove the sticky substance that is left on any surface or you could attract some unwanted attention, said NYSRA. If you have a serious pest problem after that, you should invest in a professional pest control service, as it would be able to tell you what you're doing wrong.
Because of the high amount of traffic and the versatility of the facilities, pests are naturally attracted to long-term care institutions. Many nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and other care facilities include on-site kitchens and cafeterias as well as private rooms and common spaces. All of these places are susceptible to attracting pests because of the presence of food, water and viable habitats.
During the summer months, some people love to go camping with family and friends. Yet this fun trip can be ruined with a few unwanted visitors, most notably different types of bugs. Crawling spiders, hungry mosquitoes and buzzing flies can become annoying quickly. How can you avoid these pests when you're outdoors? Consider these tips to keep bugs out of your campsite.
Carpenter ants can chew through the strongest studs and stringers in a house as they hollow the wooden beams out for nesting. The resulting damage can weaken the home's structural support and require expensive repairs. Professional pest control workers can remove a colony of ants, but the best practice for homeowners is to learn the best ways to keep out an ant colony and prevent the problem before it begins.
As the weather cools, you'll probably see fewer pests than you did during the warmer months, but that doesn't mean they're all gone just yet. Some insects can actually come out in full force during the autumn, while others might seek refuge in your warm home. Here are some key tips to keep in mind as fall gets underway:
As the middle of summer approaches, you need to be vigilant about keeping your garden free of pests. Many insects breed during the summertime, which means they're on the lookout for great places to lay their eggs. For many bugs, that means near a source of food. In fact, some species of insects will lay their eggs inside budding vegetables and fruit so their larvae have something to eat as soon as they hatch. That's why you have to keep harmful bugs out without damaging the bugs that could help you, such as bumble bees.
You might have noticed that, with the exception of the kitchen, you find more pests in your bathroom than in the rest of your home. This is because insects and rodents see the bathroom as a convenient watering hole. Pests love leaky pipes and standing water because these offer them a hydrating oasis in the otherwise dry biome that is your house or apartment. And if your bathroom develops mold, all the better for pests, who may eat fungus or use it to lay their eggs.
The kitchen is largest gathering place for pests in a residential home. The reason is simple: pests can grab a bite to eat and take a sip of water while they're here. And when they find such a bountiful place, they will return home to their nests and report the finding - before you know it, your whole pantry is a buffet for ants! The problem could get even worse if a piece of food falls somewhere and begins to rot. Similarly, fruit and vegetables you bring into your home may be harboring unseen pests waiting to hatch.
Ants can be a real pain, especially in months with higher temperatures. They literally get into everything, whether it's an outdoor picnic, a party or even just lunch outside. It seems like these little creatures are everywhere and can quickly make a good time go bad. One of their favorite spots is near a barbecue grill, so they can dig into every meal you make. So what's a homeowner to do? Consider these tips to keep ants out if you don't want grilled ant for dinner.