Don't Let Rodents Gnaw Into Your Bottom Line
By Frank Meek, B.C.E., Technical Director, Orkin, Inc.
How to Keep Rodents out of Your Restaurant
It’s that time of year again – temperatures are dropping, and patrons are hurrying inside for a warm seat and a hot meal. Unfortunately, cooler temperatures mean rats and mice will also be seeking shelter from the cold, and many will try to find it in your restaurant.
Rodents are familiar pests in foodservice environments because their three basic needs – water, food and shelter – can all be met in a restaurant setting. Rodents, like humans, like to be comfortable. So when the weather gets colder, they want a warm haven. Since rodents will eat most of the same foods that people do, your restaurant can be just as appealing to a Norway rat as it is to your customers (and with none of the marketing!).
Of course, you do not want a rodent infestation in your restaurant for a number of reasons. Rodents are a sure sign of unsanitary conditions to health inspectors and can cause an immediate shutdown, during which time you’re losing valuable revenue and reputation. And if a customer sees a rodent, look out.
The resulting scene can mean lost customers, a spot on the evening news or even a lawsuit.
If you’re fortunate enough to avoid a run-in with customers or inspectors, rodents still threaten food safety and can cause expensive property damage by burrowing through walls and gnawing through electrical wiring.
Rodent Prevention Tips for Restaurants
To make sure rodents don’t become a problem in your restaurant, act before you have a problem – prevention is much less costly than dealing with an infestation.The best way to prevent rodents from infesting your facility is to thwart their efforts to enter the building in the first place. Work with a pest management professional to implement the following prevention measures and stop rodents in their tracks:
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Get Rid of Moisture Sources: While mice can get by on food moisture, rats need a water source to survive. Eliminating excess moisture not only helps deter rats but also makes your restaurant less appealing to other pests.
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Seal Every Entry Point: Did you know mice can squeeze through openings as small as a dime, and rats only need a gap the size of a quarter? Make sure doors, windows, and any other potential entry points are sealed tight to keep them out.
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Create a Clear Perimeter: Trim back any plants or shrubs at least 2–3 feet away from the building. Adding a 30-inch gravel strip around the exterior can also help, as rodents tend to avoid open spaces.
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Use Bait Stations Wisely: If needed, place tamper-resistant bait stations around the outside of your building. Regularly monitor and document their activity to stay on top of any rodent issues.
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Keep Detailed Records: Maintain thorough documentation of all pest control measures, including bait station activity, fixes, and prevention efforts. Not only is this helpful for health inspections, but it can also boost your inspection scores.
Whether or not rodents have invaded your establishment, consider asking a pest management professional for a rodent control consultation. Most reputable providers will offer this service at no charge. Taking steps now to prevent a problem is the best way to keep rats and mice from gnawing into your bottom line.
Protect your restaurant or food processing facility from rodents with the help of Orkin’s expert commercial rodent control services—contact us today to get started!
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