Flies And Cockroaches: A Restaurant’s Two Greatest Enemies

Restaurants are susceptible to so many health code violations, many of which are pest-related. But even if you’re not worried about government mandated shutdowns from the FDA, pests can still decrease your revenue by damaging your reputation and averting disgusted customers. If you’re preparing to step-up your restaurant's pest control protection, know that the two most daunting threats to restaurants and retail food establishments in America are flies and cockroaches.

Flies

Flies are much more problematic than simply being a nuisance if you’re in the restaurant business. There are over 100 pathogens associated with common houseflies that can cause restaurant patrons to become seriously ill. To make matters worse, flies reproduce rapidly; the female housefly can lay up to 500 eggs in its four-week lifespan. Put concisely, a small fly problem often (and quickly)  turns into a major pest issue for restaurant managers and owners.

Houseflies aren’t the only type of fly threatening your restaurant -- they’re just the most common. Fruit flies and blow flies are also pervasive, unwanted invaders to restaurants worldwide. But no matter what type of fly may be plaguing your business, the risk of disease is still prevalent.

When eliminating flies from your restaurant, it is vital to remember that sanitation is the key. Regularly remove trash and rotate stock. Most flies thrive on organic matter, such as fruit or meat that is going bad or left out, so it is particularly important to dispose of any discarded food items. Clean all drains and exposed pipes with a biological cleaner, and remember to keep all windows and doors closed when possible.

Cockroaches

Cockroaches can be a significant deterrent to customers and even employees, and pose a formidable threat to a restaurant’s profits. Having a cockroach present in your restaurant and seen by patrons likely means they will tell their friends and family, and you could end up being temporary shut down by health officials. Eradicating cockroaches from your restaurant will protect your bottom line, and consequently, it is beneficial to understand how these pests operate.

The German cockroach has a life cycle of approximately one year. Females begin to reproduce at one month of age, and will typically lay five egg capsules in a lifetime, each of which contains about 40 eggs. They prefer to avoid open spaces, and instead live in cracks, crevices, ovens, walls, and ceilings. Cockroaches are known for their ability to adapt to virtually any environment, and have been known to carry bacteria and disease.

Be sure to seal any openings or cracks in the floor, ceiling, or walls to prevent cockroaches from entering your establishment. Roaches are cannibalistic, and will eat other cockroaches as well as other dead insects. Excluding and exterminating pests is a critical part of any business, especially restaurants. By knowing and understanding how to properly manage fly and cockroach control , your establishment  can become far  less likely to develop these issues.

Looking for solutions to better manage or implement  your restaurant's pest control program? Contact JP Pest Services to request a free commercial consultation. Having trouble with flies in your establishment? Download our free eBook to learn more about eliminating flies from your business.