Restaurants are a paradise for pests because they provide everything pests need: food, water, and shelter. Pest infestations in restaurants have been repeatedly linked to foodborne illness outbreaks. Pests are a major source of concern for restaurant operators because they put food safety at risk by transmitting disease-causing pathogens and contaminating food. Pest infestations can have a significant financial impact on a restaurant, resulting in revenue loss, higher treatment costs, loss of customer confidence, and food waste.

This two-part article series considers some common restaurant pests, as well as preventive measures restaurant owners can take to avoid infestation. It also examines chemical and non-chemical treatment options available to restaurant operators for controlling or eliminating an existing infestation.