Whether you have a restaurant, catering company, or another type of food service business in Mississippi, it’s critical to ensure that your products are safe to consume.
But with the variety of flying insects, crawlers, and rodents here, this task can quickly become overwhelming. You’ll easily lose customers without proper pest prevention, monitoring, and treatment.
So, what can you do to prevent that from happening? And is pest control and management really an issue? We’ll discuss that and more in this article.
Pest Control Measures To Strengthen Food Safety
There are several pest control measures that you can implement to reduce and, better yet, eradicate the risk of pests in your business. However, we’d like to discuss one critical factor that most food service companies and restaurants fail to consider.
Ignoring this will cost your business more in the long run, even if you continuously hire food service pest control services to get rid of the problem.
Identifying Pest Hotspots
While it’s true that pest prevention can be implemented anywhere, there are particular places that you can check and continuously monitor. We call these places pest hotspots because they’re where most pests gather.
It’s critical to check these hotspots regularly to enhance your food service pest control.
External Hotspots
Outdoor pests are a constant problem not only for your customers but also for your business. They’re unsightly and give a terrible impression of your business. Moreover, you are vulnerable to a potential interior infestation.
Sealing any potential entry points like cracks is important. Additionally, monitoring and maintaining your outdoor area can eliminate pests and prevent new pest infestations.
Maintaining Dumpsters
Invest in dumpsters that can handle your business needs. For instance, if you have a large customer count every day, it’s also essential to have large dumpsters. Keep the lids shut, and do not allow for the dumpster to overflow. Have it emptied often.
However, keep in mind that these dumpsters need to be well-maintained. Otherwise, they’ll become an eyesore and can attract. You should regularly hose down your dumpster after it is emptied, ensuring the water flows down a drain.
Outdoor Lighting
Another thing to consider for better food service pest control is lighting. We’re sure you’re familiar with pockets of streetlights that attract flying insects. Your restaurant’s lights can also do the same.
We recommend minimizing the number of lights pointing towards your building while ensuring that your entryways are still adequately lit. Replace bulbs with yellow, pink or orange colors that are less attractive to insects.
Internal Hotspots
Of course, most food service companies have an indoor area where most of their operations happen. Unlike the exterior, internal hotspots can be harder to identify.
However, there are possible pest breeding grounds that you may want to keep an eye on.
Dining and Food Preparation Areas
Firstly, your dining area and workstations are the most prone to becoming a home for pests. Whether it’s under a table or chair, crumbs of food may fall and attract unwelcome visitors.
Foodservice pest control can significantly improve if you regularly clean your dining area.
Store Your Food Safely
Another factor for interior food service pest control is storage. Store your food in tightly sealed food containers so pests can’t get inside and contaminate them.
Additionally, these containers should be placed away from your walls and off the floor. It is easier to keep them clean this way.
Use Sanitation-Friendly Trash Cans
Trash cans inside your building should also be adequately maintained. We recommend using a trash can with a closable lid, so it won’t smell. A liner should always be used for your trash cans.
Fly Control in Restaurants
All Mississippi restaurants need fly control. Mechanical traps, fly lights and bioremediation are all treatment options.
Regularly Check Your Floor Drains
Lastly, your drains should be maintained adequately since they can be a breeding ground for pests. Several enzyme-based cleaners can be used to clean your floor drains and improve your food service pest control.
Benefits of Pest Monitoring and Treatment
You may think that pest monitoring and treatment is a lot of work. But all your work will pay off in the long run. Here are the top three benefits of an adequate food service pest control system:
Keeps Your Customers Safe
Pests can endanger your customers’ health. That’s why most people choose clean food service companies with effective pest control.
Comply With Sanitation Standards
Mississippi has strict sanitation standards that every food service company needs to follow. You’re at risk for hefty penalties if someone reports a pest incident in your business. Foodservice pest control is an excellent investment that can save your business in the long run.
Helps Your Business Grow
Lastly, a clean, pest-free business is a growing business. Your customers won’t be turned away by rodents, insects, and other pests.
Orkin’s Guarantee for Your Pest Control Needs
Do you need help with food service pest control? You’re in the right place. Orkin Pest Control offers guarantees for hassle-free and satisfying pest control.
Fast Response
Suppose you ever encounter a rodent or other pest-related problem. In that case, you can always call us, and we’ll respond to your request within two hours. If you need someone to be onsite and help you with the problem, we guarantee that a member of our team will be there within 24 hours.
Coverage you Can Trust
Orkin is the preferred vendor at some of your favorite Mississippi restaurants, school cafeterias, food handling businesses and more. Call for a free estimate.
Free Pest Control Consultation
Orkin has the experience and tools to handle your commercial pest control. To schedule a free consultation and estimate, call 601-582-3282.
