How to Control Cockroaches in Restaurants

Cockroaches are unsightly creatures that will ruin anyone’s appetite. These insects are a food safety hazard that should be taken very seriously in restaurants. Cockroaches carry fungi, bacteria, and parasites that put customers and staff at risk of food poisoning and disease. Your restaurant risks being shut down entirely if a health inspector finds an infestation. Luckily, this can be avoided, and cockroaches can be held under control. If you have a cockroach problem in your restaurant, feel free to reach out to Cockroach Control Toronto for help. 

Recognizing what sign of cockroach infestation might food workers notice is important. First, seeing the cockroaches themselves is a clear sign that there are roaches in the restaurant. German cockroaches are the most common species and can be recognized by the two black stripes that run parallel down their backs. If one cockroach is spotted, there are probably many more nearby. This is because cockroaches are excellent at hiding during the day. Next is the smell of the cockroaches. Cockroaches release a pheromone that smells moldy, oily, and pungent. Cockroach droppings are another indication. These can be found anywhere cockroaches go. Cockroach droppings look like ground black pepper. Smear marks can also be found near roach droppings. Finally, molted cockroach skins and egg casings point to an infestation. You can look for these signs in any dark, undisturbed, or moist areas of the restaurant like the storeroom, the cracks and crevices of the kitchen, or behind picture frames where customers eat. 

The best way to control cockroaches in restaurants is to hire a pest control company for ongoing maintenance. Professionals have access to insecticides that are much more effective than the ones you can buy in stores. This is because cockroaches develop resistances to pesticides over time, but professionals are always keeping up. Professional technicians will also use care when treating for cockroaches in restaurants as food safety is an important matter. You can also get helpful advice from a pest removal technician on how to keep the bugs away for good. 

Other ways you can keep cockroaches under control involve rigorous maintenance and sanitation. The kitchen should be kept very clean and free of clutter. Food should be stored in tightly sealed containers and all waste should be thrown out by the end of the day. Countertops and appliances can also be raised a few inches off the floor to facilitate cleaning underneath. Any cracks and crevices in the equipment, walls, or floors of the kitchen should be sealed with expanding foam or silicone caulking. 

It is important that every staff member of the restaurant knows the signs of a cockroach infestation. The sooner an infestation is treated, the better. At The Exterminators Inc., we offer regular inspection and cockroach treatment services as part of our customized commercial pest control programs. Our crew members are experienced in cockroach removal and use the best equipment to solve any cockroach problem. Give The Exterminators Inc.  a call today and ask us about our warranties.