There’s one thing that all commercial kitchens strive for above all else and that’s to keep the long list of nasty Australian bugs out of the kitchen and the dining hall. Not only do harmful pests such as cockroaches and rodents pose a severe health risk, but they can also damage your furnishings and equipment.
In addition to that, finding pests in a restaurant can also lead to negative reviews which can destroy your reputation. In an attempt to avoid this, many business owners opt for the pest control Melbourne locals rely on to keep spaces pest-free.
Pest Control Takes Diligence and Discipline
It’s not uncommon for people to only think of pest control when they see a cockroach running across the kitchen sink. The reality is that regular pest control should form part of your daily, weekly, and seasonal checks.
Enlisting the services of a professional pest controller will make this process much easier. This is because they use preventative measures to keep these pesky critters from moving in, to begin with. In addition to opting for preventative pest control, there are also several tips that you and your kitchen staff should implement to ensure that you keep your space pest-free. Here they are.
1. Eliminate Food, Water, and Shelter Sources
Like every other living creature on the planet, pests are attracted to places where they can get easy access to food, water, and shelter. It can be difficult to completely remove these attractions in an environment where people are constantly working with food and possibly dropping crumbs on the floor.
Keeping a clean super clean kitchen and dining is the best way to eliminate food and water opportunities. Here are a few tips to implement in your kitchen:
- All food should be kept and stored in airtight containers.
- Add shelves to your pantry to ensure that bulk food bags are kept off the floor.
- Wipe up spills and crumbs as soon as possible.
- Regularly clean out cupboards and pantries to discourage rats and cockroaches from moving in.
- Ensure that dining tables and floors are cleaned throughout the day, especially when food is spilt.
- Counters and food prep surfaces should be washed off at the end of the evening. Use a solution of bleach and hot water to ensure these surfaces don’t have traces of food scraps.
2. Effectively Deal with Garbage
Restaurant dustbins are a gold mine for bugs and pests of all kinds. This is because they’re usually full of vegetable peels, food scraps, and a host of other things not used in the restaurant. In many instances, these bins are relatively close to the building. While this makes it easier for kitchen staff to access the bin, it also makes it very simple for bugs to find the back door.
With this in mind, we suggest keeping the following tips in mind concerning your dustbins:
- All rubbish bins (both inside and outside) must have lids that fit securely.
- Replace or repair bins to seal off any cracks where pests can crawl through.
- Ensure that indoor bins are emptied daily and washed out every few days.
- If possible, move the rubbish bins away from the building and entrances.
- Keep the back door closed as it’s easy for the heat of the kitchen to attract rats.
- The area immediately outside your restaurant should be washed and cleaned as though it’s part of the interior. Doing this will go a long way toward keeping the bugs out.
- Where possible, wash your outdoor rubbish bins with bleach and baking soda to remove odours and food spills. Hose down the area around the bins to remove any food spills.
3. Perform Regular Checks
It’s also essential to perform regular checks around the interior and exterior of your building. In addition to looking for signs of pests, you’ll also need to keep an eye out for cracks, crevices, and structural damages that can provide insects with access to your kitchen or dining area.
You’ll also want to check for openings around plumbing fixtures and pipes as these can also be an ideal space for smaller rodents to get in. Dripping taps and minor leaks can also attract pests. Ensure that your building remains well-maintained.
4. Invest in Routine Pest Control Maintenance
No matter what they’re selling, every business should sign up for a preventative pest control maintenance program. Typically, this involves annual and seasonal checks, during which your pest controller will check for signs of rodents, termites, cockroaches, and other pests.
Tailored pest control solutions are also applied both indoors and outdoors to deter insects. Your pest control agents will also provide you with additional tips that may pose an additional risk of attracting insects.
Final Thoughts
No matter how clean your kitchen and dining hall are, a single rodent or a cockroach can cause a significant loss of business. Avoid this by keeping your space clean, dealing with your garbage effectively and signing up for routine pest control maintenance. Doing this will go a long way toward keeping your kitchen pest-free!
