Rodents are trouble. Not only can these pests destroy your property and inventory, they can also contaminate your kitchen and shut your business down for good. If a customer sees a rodent scurrying around or discovers droppings, you can kiss your good reputation goodbye.
Whether it’s rats, mice, or even squirrels, a rodent infestation is a serious threat to the well-being of your restaurant. But even the cleanest, most cautious restaurants suffer from a rodent problem every now and then. The truth is, as damaging as rodents can be to your business, rodents are a common pest for many restaurants and can be taken care of with the right rodent control plan.
So, if you’re wondering about rodent control for Western Massachusetts restaurants, you’ve come to the right place.
Why Rodents Love Restaurants
Restaurants provide everything a rodent could want. Every night, there’s fresh food waste to scavenge in your garbage bins or dumpster. Sinks, faucets, taps, and leaky pipes can all provide a reliable water source. Not to mention, restaurants provide a warm shelter in the cold winter months.
A busy restaurant has lots of foot traffic both in the front and back of the house. And with so many people moving around, doors are bound to be left open, and rodents are bound to get in.
The Dangers Of Having Rodents In Your Restaurant
Rodents are dangerous pests for restaurants because they pose risks to your property, reputation, and the health of your guests and staff. All members of the rodent family have teeth that continue to grow throughout their lives, so rodents must constantly gnaw in order to trim their teeth down. They can chew through boxes, wood, drywall, and even bricks. Not to mention, rodents are also known to chew on electrical wires which can potentially start a fire when damaged.
Besides being destructive, rodents are also known carriers of harmful diseases. Rodent feces and urine can transmit salmonella and leptospirosis to humans. And fleas carried by rats have been known to cause bubonic plague infections.
Worst of all, rodents can ruin your restaurant’s reputation. Getting mice in your home or apartment may be stressful, but at least it’s a private problem. When customers learn that you have a rodent problem, don’t expect them to come back. If health inspectors discover a significant rodent presence in your restaurant, your business could be forced to shut down.
How To Keep Rodents Out Of Your Restaurant
Fortunately, there are things you can do right now to keep rodents out of your restaurant:
- Clean everything. Get rid of all food waste as soon as possible and empty trash receptacles regularly. Make sure all garbage is kept as far away from the building as possible.
- Keep doors closed. Because of daily deliveries, employees going on their break, or even just because of the heat in the kitchen, the back door is sometimes left open. Keep it shut as often as possible to keep rodents from getting in.
- Repair areas where rodents can get in. Inspect your property and seal any openings you see with caulk. Most rodents can squeeze through a hole only a ½ inch wide.
- Fix leaks. Rodents need water to survive, too. Leaky pipes and fixtures can attract rodents as a steady water source.
If you have a rodent problem in your restaurant or simply want to protect your business from rodent infestation in the future, you need professional support. That’s why you should trust the experts at American Pest Solutions. We offer reliable 24-hour service for our commercial customers and will resolve your rodent problem before it gets out of hand.
Get in touch with us today to solve your restaurant’s rodent problem in western Massachusetts.