Beyond Checking the Boxes: Expert Pest Control Tips For Passing a Health Inspection

For restaurant managers, there’s perhaps nothing more frightening than failing a health inspection—and with good reason. The reputational damage a failed health inspection brings can be difficult to overcome. Municipal health departments often post inspection scores online, so your latest inspection score (and the exact reasons for any deductions) are just a quick search away for your potential customers. That’s why it’s crucial to ensure your restaurant is always on the up-and-up.

Loading Docks 

Discourage pest entry here by installing plastic strip curtains on all doors. You can also replace any fluorescent lights around front and back entrances with sodium vapour lights, which are less attractive to flies. In addition, be sure to remove shipments from cardboard boxes (which can harbour pests) and inspect all incoming products and supplies before storing them.

Additional Tips:

• Ensure loading docks are cleaned regularly to avoid debris accumulation, which can attract pests.
• Keep the area around the loading dock free from standing water, which can serve as a breeding ground for pests.

Storage areas 

These dark and damp places are a pest’s dream. Make sure to place food supplies on open-backed shelves to remove pest hiding spots. You should also store all dry goods in tightly sealed containers and adopt a first-in-first-out strategy to ensure older products are always used first.

Additional Tips:

• Regularly inspect storage areas for signs of pest activity such as droppings, gnaw marks, and nests.
• Keep an inventory log to track the age of products and ensure that expired items are promptly disposed of.
• Use pest-proof containers for all stored items to prevent contamination and access by pests.

Kitchens

Look for any leaking faucets in your kitchen area, as pests only need a small amount of water to survive. Get rid of any garbage and make sure outdoor disposal areas have containers with tight-fitting lids. Ensure bottle and can recycling bins are thoroughly cleaned and free of flies. Check grease traps to make sure they’re clean and functional. Clean the kitchen thoroughly between shifts, preferably with organic cleaners.

Additional Tips:

• Implement a daily cleaning schedule that includes all kitchen appliances, counters, and floors.
• Pay special attention to hard-to-reach areas behind and under equipment where food debris can accumulate.
• Use drain covers and clean drains regularly to prevent them from becoming a breeding ground for pests.
• Train staff to recognize early signs of pest activity and report them immediately.

Working with a Trusted Pest Management Provider

Sanitation is just the beginning of a comprehensive set of solutions for dealing with unwanted pests. Because these pests are a near constant threat in restaurant environments, managing them effectively requires a strategic pest control program. Your pest management provider can help you make a detailed plan that includes identifying problem areas and attractants, conducting ongoing inspections, implementing exclusion procedures, and developing monitoring and control strategies, in addition to maintaining stringent sanitation practices.

Additional Tips:

• Schedule regular pest control inspections to stay ahead of potential issues.
• Collaborate with your pest management provider to educate your staff on best practices for pest prevention.
• Utilize integrated pest management (IPM) strategies that focus on long-term prevention and minimal chemical use.

By implementing these expert pest control tips and working closely with a trusted pest management provider, you can significantly improve your chances of passing health inspections with flying colors and maintaining a stellar reputation.

Need a quick reference guide for all of this? You can also download our expert tip sheet here.