Signs of Rat Presence

Although rats are sneaky, they do make their presence known. If you observe any of the following signs, contact a rodent control professional immediately.

• Numerous rat droppings clearly indicate an infestation. A rat can produce up to 40 droppings per night. The droppings are dark brown, spindle-shaped objects that resemble large grains of rice, and they tend to be concentrated in areas where rats congregate or nest.
• Greasy smudges and dark smears on skirting boards or along walls also suggest a rat problem; these rub marks are created by rats to help establish familiar routes.
• Unusual noises such as scurrying, scratching, grinding or chattering sounds are another sign of trouble; these may occur at night as rats climb or move around inside walls or under floorboards.
• Foot and tail marks may be found in dusty, isolated areas. To determine if an infestation is active, sprinkle flour along the floor, and check for fresh tracks daily.
• Rat nests may be present in attics, crawlspaces, lofts and even in cavity walls. Nests often consist of shredded materials such as insulation, paper, cardboard and other soft materials.
• If you suspect the presence of rats, check the vicinity for rat holes. Brown rats are known for excavating complex burrow systems for nesting, shelter and food storage. Holes are often found near well-vegetated areas and wasteland.

These are not bugs you want to have in your home for a single day, yet a lot of people deal with them for months. Why? Because they don’t take the easy way. They take the hard way. Which way will you take?

The Hard Way

There are a ton of tips on the internet for getting rid of bed bugs. Some references even give actual protocols used by pest control companies. But these are no ordinary pest. Bed bugs aren’t a bug that accidentally got into your home. They live almost exclusively in homes, and they have been doing this since the dawn of time. That is a long time to learn how to avoid our attempts to get rid of them.

Rather than talk about all of the many do-it-yourself pest control measures that are out there, let’s focus on the traits these bugs have that help them avoid extermination.

• When bed bugs sense a threat, they hide from it. This can drive them deep into your walls. So, even if you think you got them, this is a pest infestation that could come back to bite you, quite literally.
• Bed bugs are adaptive. If you use pesticides to kill bed bugs, you may make them stronger. Studies have shown that bed bugs are able to develop cuticles (skins) that are resistant to pesticides. So, your pest control measures could produce super bugs. That is probably not your goal.
• Bed bugs do not feed constantly. When battling bed bugs, it can feel like you’re winning sometimes, but that is just an illusion. Bed bugs come out together to feed. That means, you’re not going to get continual bites. Bite events will usually happen periodically.
• While bed bugs come out together, they don’t all come out. If you set down traps for these pests, you might kill some bugs. But you definitely won’t kill them all.

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.