How to Control the Top 3 Pests in a Restaurant – Great Insights on Restaurant Pest Control in India

Your visible customers aren’t the sole ones who love to visit and feast in your restaurants. There are several other types of unwanted guests who are using your restaurant to dine without paying! This simple guide will throw light on how to manage these unwanted diners. Protect your reputation, your client’s health, and the bottom line of your restaurant with these pest management tips.

Are Restaurant Pests a Cause for Concern?

Yes, they are. As all restaurateurs, you must be aware that pest infestations are a common occurrence. That’s because it has a never-ending source of food. Besides, the Indian weather has constant humidity and there is a constant flow of individuals who are stepping out or inside the restaurant. So, the pests tag along with the customers. Restaurants can become a pest haven if they are not kept under control. The cost of prevention is comparatively lesser than the cost of pest eradication since once the restaurant becomes infested it is harder and more expensive to get rid of them. Pests can cause extensive damage to your property and health without your knowledge. Also, the sighting of pests can ruin your client’s experience and create an overall unhappy memory, making them unlikely to return. And what’s worse, they might share this terrible experience’ with their family, friends, and even social media, further plummeting your reputation. Would your restaurant endure negative online reviews? How can you win back your reputation if someone gets sick due to the pests?  

Top 3 Restaurant Pests in India and Tips to Manage Them

1. Rats & Mice
2. Cockroaches
3. House Flies

1. Rats & Mice

These 4-legged pests carry several diseases on their bodies and in their droppings – from plague to leptospirosis and Hantavirus to Salmonella. They also chew on electric wires, causing electrical and fire hazards. They also eat food containers and bags that can lead to spoilage and also promote the growth of other pests. Simple tips for restaurant owners to control rats and mice.

• Look for early signs of rat infestation (chewed out debris and rub/scratch marks on the walls)
• Set baited mouse traps and check them regularly
• Use lethal traps to avoid re-infestation
• Seal any holes within which they can hide
• DO NOT USE ANY POISON AS THIS IS HARMFUL TO CUSTOMERS

2. Cockroaches

These infamous brown bugs are notorious and pretty resilient. Even tiny amounts of grease and moisture are enough for these creatures to thrive. Eliminating all grease and water can still make them persist for weeks after. Cockroaches are fountains of diseases since they feast on nasty garbage and decayed stuff, thus causing severe food-borne diseases amongst customers. Please watch out for even a single cockroach in the morning. This implies that this nocturnal creature was forced out of hiding, thanks to overpopulation within the colony and you have an infestation. Simple tips for restaurant owners to control cockroaches.

• Wipe off any crumbs and leftover food immediately
• Don’t leave any stagnant water or liquid for long
• Find all the nooks and cracks they hide in and fill them
• Set traps with attractant
• Hire an expert cockroach pest control

3. House Flies

Unlike their name, these flies don’t just restrict themselves to houses, they love frequenting restaurants and diners. They love to feast on garbage, countertop food, and contaminated edibles by regurgitating. Thus, making them hubs of disease, bacteria, and annoyance if they begin to buzzing brazenly and hover about your client’s food. Diseases carried by these flying pests include typhoid, dysentery, and cholera. Simple tips for restaurant owners to control flies.

• Make sure window screens are shut tight, without any gaps
• Install flypaper and traps with attractant
• Keep doors closed, especially those located near the zone where you dispose of garbage
• Throw trash in a place that is from the kitchen
• Don’t leave bags of rotting food and trash on the premise for too long
• Clean the dumpster area and keep the lids closed when not in use

Conclusion

Most people can cook, but for a restaurant, you need a trained chef. Likewise, most restaurant owners can start with DIY pest control measures on their premises. However, investing in an expert pest controller is an ideal solution for running a pest-free, healthy, hygienic establishment all year long.   For further details on the specialised pest control system for restaurants, food chains, and corporate canteens, give a Call to HiCare at 08828333888