The Importance of Restaurant Pest Management

All rodents and many insects found in food establishments are considered vectors because they can transmit diseases to man by coming in contact with food and food contact surfaces of equipment. Therefore, these animals must be given serious concern when they are found in the food establishments and every action must be taken to eliminate them.

Food establishment operators and supervisors should continually look for the following signs of these rodent pests:

•  Droppings. M ouse droppings are very small (3/16 to 3/8 inch) and pointed at each end; and
• Gnawings. As mice go about their business setting up home in a food establishment, they gnaw holes in pack aged food and elsewhere.

The public health significance of flies cannot be appreciated until it is realized that flies breed in decomposing animal and plant waste and feed on a variety of filth including feces, vomitus, garbage, etc. Flies transmit disease in the following ways:

• Vomits on food. To make solid foods liquid, the fly must regurgitate (vomit) a portion of its previous meal on the food to liquefy it;
• Defecates on food. Fly feces on food and food contact surfaces contribute to contamination.
• Carries bacteria on body. The fly is profusely covered with bristles and hairs that carry bacteria.

One of the hardest insects to control in food establishments is the cockroach. These insects are active
when and where it is dark. When it is light, cockroaches hide in dark recesses between and under equipment, under sinks, in floor drains, etc. Because these areas generally cannot be properly cleaned, these insects come in contact with considerable filth and bacteria.

A number of beetles and several moths are found in food establishments from time to time. These pests are brought into the food establishment with contaminated food products such as flour, meal, grain, cereals, seeds, beans, nuts, pasta, spices, etc. It does not take long for the pests to become so numerous that other similar foods in the establishment are attacked and contaminated. Foods
containing these pests are adulterated and unsuitable for human consumption and usually must be destroyed (some can be converted to animal feed). Once established, control can be difficult and only by careful observation for signs of the insects, destruction of contaminated food products and chemical control can these pests be brought under control.

To view this entire article, please visit http://www.healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/Portals/0/Health/FoodProtection/Chapter%2010.pdf

In the food service, a single insect or rodent can cause irreparable damage of your reputation and revenue stream, in addition to introducing harmful germs and bacteria. To avoid losing customers and to remain in compliance with health code regulations, let A to Z Environmental Services inspect and treat your establishment with a customized pest control plan.

Call  (954) 255-2233 to speak with one of our professionals.