A rodent infestation in your business can quickly spiral out of control and result in some major health and financial problems. If a customer catches sight of one of those pests, then your restaurant’s reputation could be tarnished forever. Those are just a few of the reasons why it is so important for restaurant owners and managers to have a comprehensive plan for keeping rodents and other pests out of their businesses. Luckily, you should be able to maintain a pest-free restaurant as long as you have a solid plan in place.

Start With an Inspection

The first thing that you will need to do is spend a little bit of time inspecting your entire restaurant. During that inspection, you will need to look for any areas where rodents might be getting into the building. Some of the most common entry points include gaps below doors, vents, and small cracks in the walls. You should also keep an eye out for any areas where food and water might be accumulating. Throughout your inspection, you can note any changes that need to be made.

Don’t Give Them Access to Food or Water

After your inspection, you will then need to spend a little bit of time figuring out where the rodents could potentially get food and water. If those animals don’t have access to food and water, then they will most likely leave your restaurant on their own. In addition to keeping the kitchen clean, you should also make sure that there aren’t any crevices or cracks in the dining area where food might be accumulating. Even a few crumbs behind a stove or inside a booth could be enough to feed some unwanted pests.

Seal Up Entry Points

Keeping your business clean is a great start, but you should still make sure that rodents can’t make it into your restaurant in the first place. A rat can squeeze through an opening that is the size of a quarter while a mouse can get through a hole the size of a dime. Luckily, those types of openings can usually be sealed up with nothing more than some vent mesh or all-purpose caulk.

Declutter

Rodents are always on the lookout for new places where they can rest and create a safe nest. While those animals can nest almost anywhere, they are typically going to look for areas that are relatively warm and safe. That includes piles of old uniforms, cardboard boxes, and open drawers. Spending a little bit of time decluttering your restaurant’s kitchen will greatly reduce your risk of a rodent infestation.

Work With Colorado Pest Pros

These few steps are a great start, but you are probably going to need a little bit of professional assistance as well. Our team understands just how important it is to keep rodents out of your restaurant, and we would love to help you come up with a long-term pest control plan. Please contact our Lakewood or Colorado Springs teams to schedule a service call with one of our friendly and experienced pest control experts.