Temperatures and leaves are falling, but the cooler season doesn’t mean a drop in pest activity. This year’s warm winter, early spring and hot summer made for optimal weather conditions for breeding of some pests. The larger populations will remain active for a longer period around your restaurant.
Several types of pests may continue to hang around as the season changes and try to get a seat at your table. Restaurants can expect to see pests like rodents, flies and cockroaches looking for food, water and shelter as winter approaches.
The most effective way to deter these intruders is to take preventive measures now with an integrated pest management (IPM) plan. Any such plan to keep pests away will include steps like the following:
1. Stay squeaky clean. Implement a strict cleaning schedule and ensure that all employees know and execute their responsibilities. Immediately clean up spills and use an organic drain cleaner to remove and prevent buildup. Line and seal all trashcans. Take the trash out frequently and keep your dumpster as far from the building as possible.
2. Keep a tight fit. Caulk any cracks or crevices around the exterior of your building. Seal all doors and windows with weather stripping and install tight-fitting door sweeps. Work with your HVAC professional to establish a positive air flow at entrances, which will make it even more difficult for flying insects to make it inside.
3. Guard your storage room. Put products in sealed containers and, if possible, store containers in a cooler to isolate them. Store products on wire shelving, preferably with an open back. Use flytraps to monitor pest activity.
4. Take the fight outside. Use rodent baits and traps around your restaurant’s perimeter to monitor and control rodent populations. Baits need to be enclosed in weatherproof, tamper-resistant bait stations that blend in with the landscaping and are positioned away from your customers. Also, regularly inspect and clean parking lots for loose trash.
5. Keep your vegetation orderly. Trim back plants, bushes and tree limbs that are close to your building, as they can serve as harborage and an entryway for insects. Avoid using ground-covering ivies and plants that can provide safe shelter for roaches and rodents. Where possible, maintain a three-foot gravel strip between the building and landscaping.
Zia Siddiqi is director of quality systems for Orkin and is a board-certified entomologist with more than 30 years in the industry. For more information, e-mail zsiddiqi@orkin.com or visit www.orkincommercial.com.