Pests are a significant source of concern for restaurants because they threaten food safety, carry disease-causing pathogens, cause damage to building structures, and create an unsanitary environment. Because of their high breeding potential, their colonization in foodservice establishments is detrimental to safe and sustainable operations. Pests look for safe havens where they can feed, nest, and breed without being disturbed, and restaurants are one such haven. Having found a safe refuge, they grow in number to the point where they pose a threat to food safety. To keep restaurants pest-free, it is important to keep pests out in the first place, and this can be accomplished by identifying and eliminating conditions that harbor pests. They can enter the restaurant through many points, and once inside, they contaminate food and spread disease-causing organisms.
In this article, we'll talk about common pest hot spots—areas where you can expect to find pests as well as the entry points that pest use to enter. We will also discuss strategies to eliminate pest hot spots. Knowing where the hot spots are and taking preventative actions will lower the likelihood of infestation greatly.