How to get rid of roaches in restaurants

Cockroaches are a nuisance to many industries. They carry germs, diseases, and health hazards to every business they reside in. Unfortunately for the restaurant industry, roaches are more prevalent than usual due to the increase of food, water, and shelter opportunities. While roaches within restaurants can be dealt with, it is important that restaurant owners stay informed and proactive to keep the pest from becoming an infestation. For those wanting to know the best way to get rid of roaches in restaurant facilities, this guide can help navigate that information.

Why restaurants usually suffer from roach infestations

There are many reasons why a restaurant may suffer from a roach infestation. Fortunately, most of the issues can easily be resolved. The following is a non-exhaustive list of factors that may be causing cockroaches to be attracted to your restaurant:

1. Poor food storage: Food items are not properly stored in sealed containers or in bug-proof areas.
2. Proper disposal: Food waste is left out and not disposed of once finished with.
3. Dirty dishes and surfaces: Roaches are attracted to surfaces and dishes that are not being cleaned properly and regularly. These items should never be left dirty overnight.
4. Maintenance and cleaning are not enforced: Spills, accidents, and common areas that are not cleaned often build up gunk and attract roaches.
5. Lack of reporting: There is a lack of reporting from employees when roaches are seen.

Why is it important for restaurants to act quickly?

Since roaches carry a multitude of germs and diseases, it is imperative that they are kept out of the establishment. Additionally, the presence of cockroaches can ruin the reputation of your restaurant, which can lead to business losses in the long run. Since a single egg case can contain 20 to 40 eggs and can hatch within a month, it is important to act quickly. Those hatched eggs can reproduce within six weeks, creating an infestation before you know it.

What are the common signs to look for to determine if your establishment has a roach infestation?

1. Egg casings: The casings of roaches appear as small shells that are black, brown, or dark red in color.
2. Small droppings: Cockroach droppings resemble small black pepper grains.
3. Strong oily odors: This is often described as being a musty, pungent odor that gets worse as the infestation persists.

The following are the most common areas that signs of cockroaches can be found in or near to in a kitchen:

• Trash bins
• Sinks
• Floor drains
• Kitchen equipment
• Wall voids
• Electrical outlets
• Electrical boxes
• Hollow tubing on appliance legs, cracks, crevice, or voids.

What is the best way to control cockroaches in the food establishment?

Block entry points

• Patch holes in walls and keep doors closed as often as possible to prevent roaches from entering the restaurant.
• Make sure employees are inspecting food shipments for signs of roaches before leaving the shipment inside.

Eliminate sources of food, water, and shelter

• Store food away from walls and at least six inches off the floor to keep roaches from crawling to the food.
• Seal equipment to the floor or raise it at least six inches above the
• Establish and maintain sanitary standards; dispose of trash and keep dumpsters clean.
• Do not leave boxes on the floor. It's ok to bring the boxes in and unpack them, but do not leave them there. Roaches, especially German roaches, tend to travel and lay eggs in boxes. This allows for any live roaches to wander around the kitchen and to lay additional eggs to hatch and infest the kitchen. After restaurant staff is done unpacking, take the boxes outside, break them down, and then put them in the appropriate dumpster

Consult with your nearest pest control service

If cockroaches have become more than a small small problem, and an infestation has arisen, it is time to contact a professional. The Bug Master, a pest control professional, will help to exterminate any and all roach infestations in your food establishment. Since there is no chemical to 100% kill roach eggs, The Bug Master offers a special vacuum service that can effectively remove them all. We can then use other treatments to kill off the adults.

No matter the industry you are in, cockroaches are a nasty pest that carry a variety of diseases. The best way to keep these pests away from your restaurant is to maintain a clean environment, patch entry points, and stay proactive. If you find that the infestation has persisted, contact a pest control professional — The Bug Master can help with all your pest control needs!