It is both an ethical and legal requirement for anyone responsible for providing food to keep the preparation area both clean and tidy. This process, however, is not easy and it requires a consistent and ongoing effort.
In this article, we will offer a guide on how you can maintain a pest free and hygienic working environment which will protect you and your customers from illness and scandal. If you are facing a pest issue or would like some advice, give us a call immediately on 0131 322 1291.
Three Ways of Protecting a Restaurant or Café from Pests
The amount of food being cooked, stored, and spilt in food premises means that pests will be a constant threat. However, three simple rules will help to reduce the risk of infestation:
- Keep the kitchen and storage areas clean and tidy.
- Stay vigilant for signs of pest activity.
- Acquire the services of a reputable pest control company.
Clean the Kitchen Consistently and Regularly
Pest species, like the majority of other animals, need two things; food and shelter. The properties we build will always provide shelter for pests so long as they provide shelter for us, but we do have control over how much food they have available.
The easiest way to reliably clean up your kitchen is to take on the whole project in bitesize chunks. This means that you can focus on doing each individual job well, providing thorough results.
First things first, you need to appreciate that pest species are very good and finding their way into food that is not securely packaged. Even food that seems safe and unopened may be at risk if its packaging is a thin plastic or, even worse, paper-based.
In order to make sure the food is inaccessible, transfer any at-risk products into tightly sealed and robust plastic storage containers. Pest species will not be able to chew or squeeze their way inside the packaging.
Additionally, any spills and splashes that are created throughout the day have to be cleaned up throughout the day with a final check-up happening at night. Every surface has to be wiped down until they are entirely clean.
Remember that out of sight does not mean out of mind; more discrete locations like greases built up in extractor fans and such are an attractive meal for cockroaches and rodents.
Look Out for Signs of Pest Activity
No matter how much care you take, it is impossible to reduce the chance of infestation to zero. However, catching the problem early means that it will cause minimal disruption and will be much simpler to deal with.
There are a few giveaways that pests are present, including the following:
- Naturally, the most obvious sign will be seeing the rodents or insects themselves.
- The pests might leave droppings behind, although some are easier to spot than others.
- Rodents have a destructive tendency to chew and gnaw, often leaving marks on wood or stripping rubber from electrical wires.
- Food packaging may have small holes in it, or food could be spilt
- You might notice some evidence of pests living there, especially rodents as they tend to make nests out of soft materials.
If you or any of your staff do become aware of a pest issue, make sure that you get in touch with our company as soon as possible to address the issue.
Acquire the Services of a Reliable Commercial Pest Controller
As we mentioned, no matter how much care you take when it comes to protecting your business from pests, there is always the chance that some resourceful pests will invade your property regardless. This is where the Edinburgh Pest Control Co. comes in.
Through establishing a contract with us, you can enjoy reliable and dependable access to well-trained and experienced pest controllers whenever you need service.
At the beginning of your time with us, we will carry out an initial inspection to highlight any potential at-risk areas within your company, suggesting what proofing work might help to offset the problem.
Furthermore, we will schedule in routine inspections which mean instead of having to remain vigilant yourself; you can rely on our experienced and keen eye to spot pest activity.
Governmental legislation on pest control is incredibly strict, and if you do not remain in total compliance, then you can face hefty fines and might even lose your right to trade. Having our technicians on-hand will put you in a fantastic position to maintain a clean and legal premises.
Get in Touch
Give us a call today on 0131 322 1291 to speak to one of our sales representatives about how we can secure your commercial premises against invasive pests.
If you would prefer that we got in contact with you, complete our request a call back form and one of our operators will be in touch as soon as possible.
