Date PostedApril 20, 2013

Keeping Insects Out of Your Restaurant

A nasty visitor to homes and restaurants always unwelcomed but possessing a knack for finding their way back no matter how hard we try to keep them out, are insects. Especially in warmer months or after rain, there seems to be an influx of insects such as flies, cockroaches and ants.

For many people insects are just an annoyance but for restaurant owners they are a serious problem that could have serious consequences such as costly fines.

If you’re a restaurant owner, it’s extremely important to keep insects out before they can contaminate your food and other surfaces and make your patrons sick or at the very least send them running out the door.

According to pest control experts the best ways to keep pests out of your eatery are

  • Inspection,
  • Sanitation,
  • Prevention and
  • Exclusion.

The most common insect infestations found in homes and restaurants in Oz are house flies, fruit flies, cockroaches and ants. These all can present a health and safety hazard to patrons.

House Flies: Can carry more than 100 different kinds of disease-causing germs. They taste with their feet, so landing on any food or surface could cause contamination

Fruit Flies: They feed on decaying matter, especially fruits and vegetables, so it’s important to get rid of any food as soon as you can no longer use it in your restaurant. Fruit flies are a sign of unsanitary conditions so remove garbage regularly and always keep kitchen surfaces clean.

Cockroaches: They have been implicated in illness outbreaks and allergic reactions. Cockroaches like warmer temperatures, so kitchens tend to be a perfect hiding space for these pests. They tend to live in cracks and crevices. Cockroaches have been reported to spread more than 30 kinds of bacteria, six kinds of parasitic works and at least seven other kinds of human pathogens. They can pick up germs on the spines of their legs and bodies as they crawl through decaying matter or sewage and then carry these into food or onto food surfaces.

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Cockroaches and other bugs have a way of getting in to even the most hygienic restaurants

http://www.theage.com.au/national/20000-fine-for-cockroach-in-rice-20080821-3zlu.html

Beetles, Weevils and Moths: These insects are the type of pests that enter into your restaurant in packaged food products. Beetles, weevils and moths are all examples of stored-product pests. These types of bugs are capable of destroying inventory by eating packaged products and leaving contaminating bacteria behind.

Ants: Ants are a common sight because they will eat almost anything they can find. They also have the potential to contaminate food or food preparation surfaces if not kept at bay.

Here are some easy steps to keeping your restaurant clean and pest free

  1. Keep garbage bins tightly covered and empty them frequently.
  2. Clean up any crumbs, spills or food that falls on the floor, counters, shelves and other surfaces. Make sure to follow proper cleaning and sanitation procedures including personal hygiene and handwashing.
  3. Store food products properly, including keeping them in sealed containers, off the floor and at the proper temperatures.
  4. Make sure to seal all cracks, holes and crevices and never leave un-screened doors or windows open.
  5. Use an insecticide designed for use in foodservice establishments.

 

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