Dealing with a bed bug infestation is no fun at all. Although bed bugs don’t carry disease, they are a terrible nuisance. In addition to bites that can itch something awful, the presence of bed bugs can lead to a lack of sleep and even insomnia. There are a few things that you can do to prevent bed bugs and a few ways that you can get rid of them; however, odds are you won’t be able to completely eliminate them without the aid of a bed bug specialist.

Preventing a bed bug infestation – There’s a common misconception that bed bugs are only attracted to dirty areas of the world. This isn’t true: bed bugs can easily travel from one spot to another, which means you can find bed bugs in five star hotels just like you may be able to find them in the slums of a third world country. This doesn’t mean you are powerless to prevent them from infesting your home. There are a few precautions that you can take. Because bed bugs tend to spread the most through travel, you should always be careful about where you stay. Always check for bedbugs where you are staying. You can do this by looking for bed bugs or the small blood spots they leave along the seams of the mattress and along the edges of the box springs. Check the bed’s headboard and any furniture in the room as well. When you get home, put all the clothes that you took with you in the laundry to be washed and dried on the highest settings. Be very careful about buying used furniture as well. You should be especially wary about any wood furniture. Keep your home clean in order to take away potential hiding spots for bed bugs. You should also consider using caulk to seal holes around your baseboards and molding.

Getting rid of bed bugs – If your home does become infested with bed bugs, then there are a number of things you can do to get rid of them. Just remember that completely eliminating all bed bugs as well as their eggs is a tough task, one that a bed bug specialist is better trained to do. First of all, you can use rubbing alcohol to spray any bed bugs on sight, thereby killing them instantly. Upon finding bed bugs, immediately take all the clothes and sheets in your home and wash them at a minimum of 120 degrees Fahrenheit in order to kill any bed bugs. Use a vacuum cleaner and methodically go around the house vacuuming every part of your floor in order to suck up bed bugs and their eggs. Be sure to vacuum your mattress and box spring as well. Remember to dispose of the contents in the vacuum in a sealed trash bag. Another good idea is to steam clean your carpets in order to kill off any remaining bugs and eggs.

Hiring a bed bug specialist – A bed bug specialist is trained to completely eliminate all bed bugs. Cat’s Eye King International Inc. uses an integrated pest management plan in order to do so. This plan begins with the bed bug specialist inspecting your home in order to get a clear picture of your infestation. The affected area will then be cleared and all clutter will be removed. A heat treatment will be applied to the area in order to kill all bed bugs. Non-chemical pesticides are preferred, and pesticides with chemicals are only used if absolutely needed.

Where there’s food, there are pests — it’s an unfortunate truth all restaurant owners face. The abundance of snacking opportunities, ideal moisture and temperature conditions, and sites perfect for harboring critters, creates plenty of potential for unwanted dinner guests.

Whether it’s flies in your dining room or rodents in dry storage, unwanted pests will be a bust for any business. A significant pest problem will even prevent you from complying with the necessary health department regulations to keep your restaurant open to the public.

Fortunately, most of these problems can be avoided with a few security measures and proper pest control.

(Not a restaurant owner? We have plenty of tips to keep pests out of your home pantry, too.)

Common Problem Areas and How to Protect Them

The main pest concerns in any restaurant are cockroaches, stored product pests (like beetles, weevils and moths), flies, and rodents. Once you identify the main problem areas in your restaurant, it’s easier to develop a strategy for managing pest infestations.

Outdoor Dumpster Areas

These places are an open invitation to pests if waste disposal isn’t handled properly. And once they’re in your garbage, it’s only a matter of time before they follow the food trail to get inside the kitchen — especially if you leave the door open for them to fly or crawl through.

To protect the dumpster area:

• Make sure all bags are sealed before being thrown away
• Firmly close dumpster lids when they aren’t in use
• Clean additional food debris from the area

 

Drains and Cleaning Supply Storage Areas

Places that collect moisture, such as sink and floor drains and cleaning stations, are the perfect breeding ground for flies. Flies feed on any food left in these spaces, and where they feed, they will breed. Before you know it, you’re restaurant will be taken over by flying pests.

To protect drains and supply spaces:

• Dry cleaning equipment before putting it away
• Keep drains clear and free of organic matter
• Store mops and hoses away from food preparation areas

 

Food Storage Areas

Open food containers attract cockroaches and ants, so proper food storage is a must. Your dry storage facilities and main kitchen space are at high risk for insects looking for a tasty treat. Cracks, crevices, and hollow areas in equipment legs are all typical havens for roaches, ants and mice.

To protect food storage and your kitchen:

• Keep dry storage areas clean and tidy
• Follow proper food rotation procedures (“first in, first out”)
• Seal obvious cracks or voids, and try to block hollow areas from cockroaches or rodents

 

How to Treat an Infestation 

Some unwanted guests, like rodents and cockroaches, leave behind obvious clues of their presence, while others, like moths and beetles, are more stealthy. For stealthy pests, a few well-placed glue boards should do the trick. If pests have found their way into your restaurant, you have a few ways to send them packing.

Baits and liquid treatments can be a good temporary fix, but the full spectrum of drain management, as well as termite control, from a pest professional will provide a long-lasting treatment.

Keep in mind that steam, heat, moisture, and grease — all of which are found in a restaurant— can reduce the effectiveness of many products used to control pests. So proper application and continued follow-up is a must.

Hopefully the tips outlined here will help you avoid any major problems, but if a large infestation should occur or if you want advice on how to better prevent pests in your restaurant, remember to call a pest professional at Arrow for a thorough inspection.

Summer is the perfect time for outdoor activities with family and friends; like hiking, camping, playing at the park and swimming etc. Unfortunately, summer also provides an excellent environment for thousands of species of insects to thrive and multiply, which often times can put a damper on the fun summer activities that you have planned. No one wants to be bit or stung by mosquitoes, ants and black legged ticks while out hiking or camping, but the fact is that many pests thrive in the summer. These pests aren’t just annoying – they can transmit dangerous diseases too!