Arizona & Nevada Food Service Pest Control

How Should I Prepare for a Restaurant Pest Control Service?

To prepare your restaurant for our pest control service, clear and clean all surfaces in the kitchen, food prep areas, and storage spaces. This includes wiping down countertops, sweeping floors, and mopping. It's also important that you declutter and organize these areas, removing any loose items or boxes that may obstruct access to walls and corners. You must remove all food items from open shelves, counters, and floors. Temporarily relocate all food, store it in sealed, pest-proof containers, or place it in a refrigerator. We will need access to all cabinets, pantries, and storage closets, so please empty them as much as possible. You should also pull appliances away from the walls so we can treat behind them.

For most treatments, you will need to close the impacted areas, such as the kitchen or food storage spaces, for a few hours or more. The specific timeframe depends on the treatment type we need to apply. We can discuss the required closure time with you beforehand so you can plan accordingly. Our technicians are prepared to work as quickly and efficiently as possible to minimize disruption to your business, and we can tell you when it's safe to reopen the treated areas for normal operations.

Exterior Pest Control Treatments for Food Service Facilities

Getting rid of the pests you are currently dealing with isn’t enough. Our team at Burns Pest Elimination can implement pest control solutions designed to proactively keep invaders away. 

Our pest control process for the exterior of food service facility buildings generally includes:

• Power-spraying the building’s structural base with a long-lasting residual
• Applying granular products to high-moisture areas
• Addressing areas with dumpsters or trash receptacles
• Baiting for target insects

Additionally, we recommend the following best practices to preventatively keep pests from coming back:

• Seal all cracks, holes, and crevices in walls, floors, and foundations to block pest entry points
• Install door sweeps on all exterior and interior doors
• Clean up any food and drink spills immediately
• Store all food not currently being used in refrigerators or sealed, airtight containers
• Take out trash and clean dumpsters regularly
• Maintain a clean and organized kitchen and storage area, reducing clutter
• Fix leaky faucets and pipes to eliminate water sources
• Keep all drains and sinks clean and free of food debris
• Store all inventory away from walls and off the floor to allow for proper cleaning and inspection

Signs Your Food Service Facility Has a Pest Problem

In a food service environment, seeing a single pest is a major cause for alarm. Unlike a home, where one mouse or roach might be an isolated incident, a single sighting in a restaurant signals a potentially larger, hidden infestation. The high availability of food, water, and harborage points in a commercial kitchen makes it an ideal breeding ground for pests. They reproduce quickly, and a small problem can rapidly escalate into a full-blown infestation that poses a serious health risk and may lead to potential regulatory action. Acting quickly is key to protecting your business, customers, and employees.

Don’t wait to give our team at Burns Pest Elimination a call if you notice any of the following warning signs of an infestation in your food service facility:

• Droppings. The size and shape of the droppings can help us identify the type of pest you have. For example, rodent droppings look like small pellets, while cockroach droppings resemble black pepper or coffee grounds.
• Gnaw marks. Rodents like rats and mice must constantly chew to wear down their teeth. You may find gnaw marks on food packaging, wiring, plastic pipes, and wooden structures like doors or shelves.
• Nesting materials. Rodents build nests out of shredded paper, fabric, insulation, and other soft materials. You might find these nests hidden in drawers, cabinets, voids in walls, or behind appliances.
• Strange odors. Many pests leave behind a distinct odor. A musty or stale smell often indicates a rodent infestation, while a greasy, oily, or sweet odor can point to a large cockroach population.
• Smudge marks. Rodents frequently leave grease marks or trails along walls and floors as they travel. These dark, greasy marks come from the oils and dirt on their bodies.
• Damage to products or property. Besides gnaw marks, you may notice chewed-open food bags, damaged cardboard boxes, or other signs of tampering with stored goods.

When in doubt, schedule an inspection by calling (702) 710-8675 or contacting us online. We can find any pests that may be hiding and take prompt steps to eliminate them.