How to Control Pests in Your Restaurant — Rules, Regulations, and What You Can Do (Including a Downloadable Checklist)

About 48 million people (1 in 6 Americans) get sick, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die each year from foodborne diseases, according to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Even if no one gets sick from vermin on your premises, pests can still ruin pricey stock, scare off customers, and result in expensive fines.

Restaurant pest control is simply an issue that can’t be overlooked. Do you know the best way to prevent a pest infestation in your restaurant, and what your legal obligations are? This article covers everything you need to know to run your food business smoothly and pest-free.

Restaurant pest control requirements

Firstly, you need to be aware of the pest control requirements for food industry establishments. This allows you to be compliant and avoid getting into a sticky spot with the federal or state government.

Who sets the rules?

In the United States, the regulation of pest control in client-facing food industry establishments is primarily regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA sets guidelines for pest control in food industry establishments in the form of the Food Code, which state and local governments use to develop their own food safety regulations. So, even if each state has different restaurant pest control requirements, many conditions overlap.

The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) explained

The latest Food Code, the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), was signed into law in 2011. This sweeping reform in legislation aims to prevent foodborne illness by shifting the focus of food safety regulations from treatment to prevention. This law has several implications for restaurants in the US, the two main ones being:

– The requirement of preventative plans and actions

One of the most significant implications of the FSMA for restaurants is that they must implement hazard analysis, risk-based preventive controls, and an integrated pest management program. What it means for you is that you need to have a plan in place that outlines how you will identify and prevent potential food safety hazards, and you must be able to demonstrate that you are applying it effectively.

– The increase in the frequency of compliance inspections

Another implication of the FSMA for restaurants is that they are now subject to more frequent inspections by the FDA. While before most inspections were investigations in response to foodborne illness outbreaks, with the focus now shifted to prevention, the FDA will regularly check for compliance with the new regulations.

Can you carry out pest control treatments in your restaurant without a license?

In the unfortunate case that you experience a pest infestation in your business, you are not legally allowed to treat it with pesticides. The FDA and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) strictly regulate the use of pesticides in food establishments. Only certified commercial pesticide applicators can treat an infestation in a food establishment. The moment you see any sign of a pest infestation, contact a licensed pest control operator, like Hawx, to resolve the health and safety hazard.

Using professional restaurant pest control services

If you own a restaurant, the law now holds you accountable for preventing pest-induced contamination and foodborne illnesses. Instead of taking a gamble with your patrons’ health and your business’ success by trying to control pests yourself, turn to professionals that can help you every step of the way. Sign up for a commercial pest control plan with a reputable company to have everything taken care of. Enjoy the peace of mind that all government requirements are met, and your patrons are safe, as well as the extra time you’ve freed up to focus on what matters to you.

Pest control checklist for restaurants and commercial kitchens

With pest prevention playing such an important role in keeping your establishment safe, it’s up to your employees to ensure pest-deterring cleaning is always carried out. 20 percent of your establishment’s health inspection score depends on your pest control measures and actions, so you really can’t afford any mistakes. But with long shifts, tired minds, and a lot of things to clean, how can you be sure everything gets done?

To help out, we’ve put together a comprehensive restaurant pest control checklist. You can download the in-depth version at the end of this article, but here is a summary of the main areas of concern and best practices.

Outdoor areas

Ensure your outdoor service space and the area around the bins are free of food scraps and waste. Promptly remove finished plates from the outdoor tables and regularly clean the patio. Ensure all garbage is correctly disposed of and bins are not overfilled.

Front-of-house space

Have your workers regularly clean tables, chairs, and floors with sanitizing chemicals. They should also routinely clean condiments and other items on the patrons’ tables. Keep food or fruit displays covered and at the right temperature during service, and store them in the fridge at night.

Bar and counter spaces

Your staff should properly store and seal all food and drink and promptly clean up any spills or crumbs to prevent pests from being attracted to these areas.

Back-of-house area

Kitchen staff should be extra vigilant to leave the area spotless at the end of the day and follow best practices during service, such as refrigerating as much food as possible.

For a line-by-line list of tickable chores, click on the downloadable resource below. It’s conveniently organized into front-of-house and back-of-house daily, weekly and monthly tasks.

Download Printable Restaurant Cleaning Checklist

Reward best practices and reap the benefits

With our last words, we’d like to encourage you to create a supportive and healthy atmosphere within your team. One of the best ways to prevent pest infestations in a restaurant is to have motivated staff that will go above and beyond when needed. Whether that’s staying an extra 15 minutes to finish cleaning properly instead of rushing the job or speaking up at the first signs of a pest infestation, the reality is that in the war against pests, you depend on the “boots on the ground”. Foster a positive, empowering atmosphere to keep pest problems away.