Pest Control Guide

Pest control is important in any business, but especially so in the foodservice and hospitality industries. Between strictly monitored health codes and the prevalence of social media, a single rodent or a handful of insects could cost you customers. It pays to take the necessary preventative measures, like those outlined in this buying guide and our restaurant pest control tips article, to keep pests out of your establishment.

Common Pests

There are a myriad of pests that can cause problems at your establishment. Those problems can range in severity, but at worst they may include the destruction of food stores, food inspector violations, the spread of bacteria and disease, or the sullying of your reputation. Some pests are more common than others. These include cockroaches, flies, mice, mosquitoes, and rats.

Cockroaches

Cockroaches are unhygienic scavengers that may carry certain bacteria that can cause illnesses if left on food. Additionally, they serve as an allergen source and an asthma trigger. Cockroaches are typically found in dark, moist places, such as behind refrigerators, sinks, and stoves, or under floor drains and inside of motors and major appliances. They can enter through small holes and cracks in the building, or they can come in on bags or other containers.

Flies

Flies are known for spreading at least 200 known pathogens and parasites to humans. They rarely bite or sting humans but because they often land on dead animals, rotten food, manure, and trash, they pick up and spread diseases that are harmful to humans.

Mice and Rats

Mice and rats are dangerous and destructive pests. They carry and transmit viruses, bacteria, and other diseases. Additionally, they can be responsible for causing damage to your property, chewing through walls and wiring, and getting into food.

Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes bite humans to consume blood. While doing so, they can also transmit harmful, and sometimes fatal, diseases, including Zika virus, yellow fever, dengue, and malaria.

Types of Pest Control

You must be prepared with the appropriate products to control pests in case a few sneak in. To help keep your operation sanitary and maintain your pristine reputation, we have an impressive selection of pest control products, and we have compiled the information you need to know so that you can determine the best solution for your application.

Victor Pest M308W Tin Cat see-thru live catch mouse trap

Live Catch Traps

Target Pests

Mice and rats

Description

One of the most humane methods of rodent control, live catch traps allow the user to catch live rodents and then release them in another location.

Application

Live catch traps may be used indoors or outdoors, wherever rodent populations reside.

JT Eaton 420 Repeater multiple catch mouse trap

Multiple Catch Traps

Target Pests

Mice and rats

Description

Multiple catch traps are designed to trap multiple rodents before being emptied. They can be lethal traps, which deliver an electric shock to the rodents, or they can be live catch traps, which enable multiple mice or rats to collect within the trap before being rehomed.

Application

Multiple catch traps may be used indoors or outdoors, wherever rodent populations reside.

16 oz. Noble Chemical Terminate aerosol crawling insect killer

Poisons

Target Pests

Flying Insects – Carpenter bees, bees, gnats, flies, fruit flies, hornets, mosquitos, yellow jackets, wasps, wood wasps, and other winged insects

Crawling Insects – Ants, Asian lady beetles, bed bugs, boxelder bugs, carpenter ants, centipedes, crickets, fire ants, fleas, palmetto bugs, roaches, scorpions, silverfish, spiders, termites, water bugs, and other crawling insects

Rodents and Other Pests - Gophers, mice, moles, rats, skunks, squirrels, woodchucks

Description

Poisons come in many shapes and forms, but all with one purpose – to kill pests quickly and easily. Whether it's a gas, pellets, poison moleworms, an aerosol spray, a liquid spray, a fogger, or a vapor strip, these products get the job done, eliminating the pest once and for all.

Application

It's imperative to read the manufacturer's instructions prior to use to ensure a safe application in a suitable environment. It is both unsafe and against label directions to use poisons anywhere food is being commercially prepared, processed, or served. Poisons are good options for basements and storage areas. For the food preparation and serving areas, use glue boards, snap traps, and live catch traps.

Repellents

Target Pests

Flying Insects - Fleas, flies, gnats, mosquitos

Crawling Insects - Ticks

Rodents and Other Pests – Gophers, mice, moles, rats, snakes

Description

Repellents come in liquid, pellet, and ultrasonic forms. While they do not kill pests, they do keep them at a distance, protecting you and your establishment from dangerous exposures.

Application

Personal insect repellents can be applied directly to the skin or sprayed into the air or on a surface. Conversely, rodent repellents can be plugged into a wall outlet, stuck directly into the ground, or sprinkled onto the ground. Make sure you follow manufacturer's instructions prior to use of any repellent to make sure it's not only safe, but effective.

Victor Pest M156 original metal pedal wood mouse trap

Snap Traps

Target Pests

Rats and mice

Description

One of the oldest methods of rodent control, snap traps are relatively simple wood, metal, or plastic traps with a powerful snapping mechanism designed with the intention to kill rodents immediately upon contact.

Application

Snap traps may be used indoors or outdoors – wherever rodents pose a problem and rodenticides are not an option.

Sticky Traps

Target Pests

Flying Insects - Flies, fruit flies, pantry months, mosquitoes, and other winged insects

Crawling Insects - Ants, cockroaches, crickets, and spiders

Rodents and Other Pests - Rats, mice, and snakes

Description

Sticky traps are pest control products that utilize a glue board to stop insects and rodents in their tracks. They can be as simple as a glue board placed on the floor, wall, window, or ceiling, or as sophisticated as a lighted trap that lures the insects in with a soft glow, then traps them on the sticky board behind the unit.

Application

Sticky traps can be used indoors or outdoors, depending on the product. Place them on runways or areas where pests are traveling.

Zap n Trap stainless steel insect trap / bug zapper

Zappers

Target Pests

Flying Insects - Flies, fruit flies, pantry months, mosquitoes, other winged insects

Description

Zappers shock flying insects with a bolt of electricity, killing them instantly. These units can be wall mounted or hung from the ceiling. Traditionally, powerful lights attract the insects into the unit for a quick and easy kill.

Application

Zappers can be used indoors or outdoors, depending on the unit. Indoors, these units are best for commercial spaces, such as warehouses, supermarkets, office buildings, and other non-sensitive areas, as they can be rather noisy. Outdoors, zappers are great for patios and bars, food trucks, outdoor weddings, or college events – areas where the noise is less of a concern.

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