What Can Your Restaurant Do About Rodent Prevention?Restaurants are natural targets for rodents. In addition to the constant warmth of the kitchen, there are always plenty of food options available. Rodents may love restaurants, but restaurateurs don't love them back, which is one of the reasons commercial pest extermination is so important in the food service industry. In addition to working closely with your exterminator on a restaurant pest control plan in Fort Lauderdale, follow these strategies to make your restaurant less appealing to rodent guests.Clean, Clean, CleanCleaning is the most important thing you can do to keep rodents out of your restaurant. A small scrap of food left on the floor is all it takes to make your business attractive to mice and rats. Adhere to a strict policy of cleaning both the front and back of the house after every shift, and require that your staff do cleaning as they go through the food service. Training your staff on proper cleaning procedures is an essential part of keeping your restaurant rodent-free, so make sure you have a clear protocol for training and for managing cleaning responsibilities. If your staff isn't dedicated to keeping your restaurant clean, your efforts alone will be ineffective in getting rid of rodents.Fix Cracks and LeaksRodents only need a sliver of space to enter your restaurant. Make sure all of your doors and windows close tightly, and seal any cracks that you see to prevent rodents from getting in. Water leaks also attract rodents, so fix any leaks inside or outside your building. Cutting off water sources is particularly effective in keeping rats at bay.Change Your Outdoor AreaAlthough landscaping may look attractive around your restaurant, it also gives rodents plenty of cover for getting close to your building. Consider removing any vegetation within two feet of your building. Rodents will be reluctant to be in the open space, so they will stay further away. Be sure outdoor trash areas are as far away from the building as is realistic. All trash cans and dumpsters should be securely covered so that rodents can't get inside.
