Every type of business requires pest control services. However, restaurants face strict sanitation requirements that make it even more important to remain pest-free. If you’re not sure how to keep insects and rodents out of your eatery, follow the tips below. 

How to Keep Your Restaurant Pest-Free

1. Regularly Clean & Sanitize All Areas

Pests are attracted to food. The simplest and most effective way to keep them out of your restaurant is to stay on top of cleaning. After a party leaves, immediately wipe down the surfaces and seats, and sweep under and around the table.

Sweep and mop all dining and food prep areas nightly. Do not leave dirty dishes sitting overnight. Clean any splashes, spills, or crumbs the moment you notice them.

2. Tend to Trash Cans & Dumpsters 

All trash cans need liners to prevent food from getting caked on them and attracting pests. Take the trash outside to the dumpster before locking up each night. Inspect the cans and hose them out to clean away any debris the liner didn’t catch. Make sure cans with lids are closed tightly.

Do not overflow the dumpsters. If your restaurant is consistently accumulating more waste than the containers can hold, consider investing in a larger one. Regularly hose down the dumpsters and dumpster area, and keep the lid closed when it’s not in use to decrease the chance of infestation. 

3. Rethink Exterior Lighting

Outdoor lighting helps your restaurant shine. However, due to their warmth, lights attract many insects, including moths, flies, and other winged varieties.

Rather than placing numerous lights directly on the building, take advantage of fixtures that can illuminate your restaurant from a distance. You could also switch to warm-colored LED lights, which insects find less hospitable than traditional lights.

If you’re worried about pests in your restaurant, turn to Jackson & Eagle Pest Management in West Plains, MO. These pest control specialists have over 120 years of combined experience serving residents and businesses throughout the Ozarks region. They’ll design a personalized Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program to keep your restaurant free of rats, ants, roaches, spiders, and any other pests that find their way into your eatery. Learn more about their services online, and call (417) 256-6286 for a free estimate.