how do i keep mice out of my restaurant

Some measures that are recommended in the Food Code for keeping rodents out of a food service establishment are:

• Inspecting incoming shipments of food and supplies
• Regularly inspecting the premises for evidence of pests
• If rodents are found, using accepted pest control methods to remove them
• Eliminating any conditions that would provide a place for rodents to hide

Full Answer

How to keep rodents out of restaurant?

How to discourage rodents from entering a restaurant?

Why is rodent control so difficult?

How do rats get into restaurants?

Can you keep food covered?

Can rodents cause damage to food?

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Why Are Rats and Mice So Dangerous in Your Restaurant?

Rats and mice carry and transmit over 35 diseases. They spread these maladies through direct touch, urine, feces and saliva. Because you prepare and serve food for human beings, a rodent in your restaurant poses a serious health risk.

How Do I Stop Rodent Infestation in My Restaurant?

Stopping rodents begins with a clean environment inside and out. Keeping the exterior of your restaurant tidy is as important as the inside. Just like a good review brings customers in to dine, a free meal in the alley alerts rodents to the buffet inside.

What if I Have Rodents in My Restaurant?

Have you already seen the telltale (or tell tail) signs of mouse or rat infestation in your restaurant? These include:

How to block rodents from eating food?

Blocking the rodents' access to food is accomplished through effective waste disposal and storage, as well as good overall sanitation . If you have a dumpster on your property, move it as far away from the building as possible and never leave waste or unused food lying around. Be sure to:

How dangerous are rodents in a restaurant?

Sure, they’re cute, but don’t be fooled by their cuddly exterior — rodents are a big deal if they get into your commercial kitchen. In no particular order (and by no means an exhaustive list):

What is a rodent infestation without effective pest control measures in place?

Rodent infestation without effective pest control measures in place is one on the most common crucial infractions found by Health Inspectors across the country. Crucial infractions are health violations that present a high risk to public health — and they often come with a hefty fine.

What happens when rodents chew on food?

When rodents chew into packaging, they contaminate the food inside. You must throw out any food that has been or may have been in contact with a rodent. A rodent infestation in your food business can result in a terrible amount of food waste and increased operational costs. They reproduce quickly.

How do rodents spread disease?

They spread disease. By spreading bacteria and other microorganisms, which they carry in their fur and in their droppings and urine, rodents can transmit diseases such as the hantavirus, tularemia, salmonellosis, listeriosis and leptospirosis.

What is the natural enemy of a restaurant?

Rodents are the natural enemy of the restauranteur and anyone who works in the business. Find out how to keep mice and rats out of your business, how to identify signs of infestation and how to get rid of them if they get in.

What are the points of entry for rodents?

metal covers over pipes and drains. Food deliveries are another point of entry for rodents. Always use suppliers with a good reputation and verify that they have a pest management plan. When deliveries arrive, check for signs of rodent infestation before signing off.

How to get rid of mice in food storage?

First things first! If you have one or two mice and a few traps around your food storage, then you can start by safeguarding your food. If you have an infestation of mice, it’s necessary to take care of that problem first, and then invest in mice deterrents and mice-proof containers.

What is the best way to get rid of mice in your house?

Grow mint plants around the foundation of your home to dissuade them from getting inside. Spray peppermint and/or spearmint essential oil in target areas, or soak cotton balls with it , and put them near your food storage.

How to keep mice from chewing on plastic?

Hard plastic bins with tight fitting lids. Mice can chew through soft plastic, so if you have any food stored in plastic bins, make sure they’re made from hard, heavy-duty plastic. Keep an eye on the buckets and possible rodent activity. If you rotate the food, or move the buckets around every few weeks, you’re more likely to see gnawing marks before they can successfully chew through the bucket. Once you see bite marks, it’s your cue to get some traps and invest in another storage container.

What lures mice to your house?

There are two main things that will lure mice to your home: food and water. Once you eliminate all water and food sources, they’ll be forced to find a more suitable place to live. In order to have a rodent-free home, use as many of the following methods as possible.

How to catch a mouse in a chocolate trap?

CHOCOLATE TRAP: Mice love chocolate. It’s common to put peanut butter on a trap, but oftentimes the mouse runs away with the bait before it can even get caught. If this sounds like something that is happening to you, try covering a few chocolate chips in peanut butter (crunchy preferably) and setting those on the trap. This gives the mouse more time to get the chocolate and a better chance for your trap to catch them. Another thing you can try is chocolate frosting, but keep in mind that during spring and summer, the frosting might attract ants as well.

What to do if there is a hole that is impossible to seal?

If, for whatever reason, there’s a hole that is impossible to seal, put a brick in front of it.

How long should I keep food in my garden?

A late spring frost or rainstorm can also kill the crops you’ve been growing patiently in your garden. Storing a minimum of 72-hours' worth of food is essential for families but if you ask me, that’s not enough- I recommend a minimum of 10 day’s worth.

How to keep mice away from my house?

Don’t leave pet food and water out where they can attract a mouse. Put pet food away between feedings and remove water whenever possible. Mice will seek out a convenient water supply. If the supply dries up, they will move on. Encourage them to leave.

How to get rid of mouse infestation?

Other Ways to Get Rid of Mouse Infestations without Poison. Poisons do the job, at least temporarily, but they come with a lot of hazards as well. First, there is the danger of exposure to hazardous poisons for yourself, your children, and pets.

What Do Mice Hate?

You knew that vinegar is useful around the house, but did you know it can help you get rid of mice? Mice do not like the smell of vinegar and will avoid it, if possible.

How do plants repel mice?

Plants with strong scents repel mice by affecting their sense of smell and preventing them from detecting food and predators and make an excellent outdoor mouse repellent. They must avoid scents that disorient or overwhelm them.

How to get rid of mouse urine in carpet?

Use carpet cleaners and other cleaners with enzymes that break down urine. Consider applying a mouse repellent like peppermint oil to the area.

What is the best mouse trap?

The Best Mouse Traps: Use a Wood Mouse Trap. Traps work, but they are often an unpleasant solution. The other downside is that traps only get rid of the existing population of mice, but do not keep new mice from coming in. The wood snap-type inhumane mouse traps are useful but sometimes a problem to bait and deal with.

What repellent keeps mice away?

What will keep mice away is an often asked question. Electronicpest repellents emit a sound frequency that cannot be heard by humans but will irritate a mouse and hopefully send it running.

How to keep rodents out of restaurant?

Even so, there are still some steps you can take to help keep rodents out of your restaurant. Here are five of them: 1. Take care of trash and garbage. The abundance of food scraps and leftovers that restaurants discard can be enticing to rodents.

How to discourage rodents from entering a restaurant?

If possible, you should also position outside trash and garbage containers away from buildings and entrances to discourage rodent entry. 2. Secure sources of food and water. In a restaurant, you obviously can’t completely remove the food and water that rodents seek to survive.

Why is rodent control so difficult?

Rodent control can be challenging because restaurants offer the very things that these pests seek for feeding and breeding - food, water and shelter. Doors and windows of restaurants are often left opened, which can provide access to the rodent necessities inside. And there are other ways they can get inside, which are mentioned below. ...

How do rats get into restaurants?

Rodents can enter restaurants through doorways and very small cracks and holes. In fact, rats can squeeze through holes as small as the size of a quarter and mice can slip through openings the size of a dime. To help prevent rodent entry, seal all exterior cracks and crevices (pay special attention to openings around pipes leading to the exterior), install door sweeps, and repair torn or ill-fitting window screens. It’s also important to fix all leaks as soon as possible to help remove water sources.

Can you keep food covered?

However, you can keep food securely covered unless it’s being prepared or served, and you can be diligent about keeping dining and kitchen areas clean. Pay special attention to crumbs that settle into crevices and along baseboards, and to food spills in storage areas.

Can rodents cause damage to food?

For example, did you know that rodents can cause gnawing damage to structures and equipment, as well as product loss? Because rodents can carry pathogens that may cause disease, and unsanitary rodent droppings can contaminate equipment and food, they can also compromise the cleanliness of your restaurant and the health of your customers and employees. In addition, mice and rats can generate unpleasant odors, disrupt productivity and violate health codes. Even one rodent sighting or incident may be enough to harm your restaurant’s good reputation.