Restaurant and Food Pest Control Services

U.S. Pest Control Statistics for Restaurant Industries

Did you know?…

• A survey from Orkin documented several key statistics on pest issues in commercial kitchens and restaurants:
  • 50% of diners saw a pest while visiting a restaurant in the past 12 months
  • 43% of diners who saw a pest shared the information with others
  • More than 50% of diners expect a discount after seeing a pest in a restaurant
  • 81% of diners will never return if they find a pest on their food
  • 76% of diners will never return if they see multiple pests in the restaurant
  • In restaurants, the most common pests include flies, ants, cockroaches, and rodents respectively.
  • 16% of cockroach sightings in restaurants are on the dining room floor
  • 56% of diners who see a pest will write a negative review, post on social media, or write a blog about it.
• 20 percent of the score in a restaurant’s health inspections is based on the pest control portion
• In 2023, a Little Caesars in Indianapolis was shut down following the discovery of mouse poop on a purchased pizza for food safety concerns.
• Pest problems increase the risk of food poisoning, with flies being the most commonly found in restaurants and disease-carrying pests with more than 100 varying pathogens.
• In 2023, more than 100 food-service locations in the United States were cited for rodent violations in the first half of this year.

Insectek’s integrated pest management services for restaurants and the food industry regularly check your establishment for signs of infestations. Our safe organic extermination tools allow us to eliminate and control pests without putting your employees, guests, and buildings at risk. 

You wouldn’t eat at an establishment run by ants and rats, so why would you want your diners to? Reach out today to learn more about our integrated pest management approach to commercial pest control in restaurants and how our exterminators can serve you and your business today.

How Often Should Pest Control Be Done in a Restaurant?

Periodic pest control is crucial for restaurants. Most of our customers are on a bi-weekly or monthly schedule, which works best to prevent issues. Common pests include German cockroaches, American cockroaches, various flies, and fungus gnats. Neglecting sanitation, like allowing mildew buildup, can increase flying insect populations, which are a major turnoff for customers. 

Regular pest control prevents problems from escalating, as German cockroaches, the primary issue for restaurants, reproduce rapidly. Skipping treatments can let egg cycles get out of control, making pest management much harder and requiring more extensive methods. 

We recommend bi-weekly or monthly visits at a minimum, and can schedule services early in the morning to avoid customer disruption. Staying proactive keeps pest issues under control.

Does the Health Departuemtn Require Monthly Pest Control in Restaurants

The health department doesn’t mandate hiring a professional pest control company for your restaurant, but it does require an active pest control program. You can manage it yourself or hire a professional service like ours. Many pest control products are available online, though proper application can be tricky without guidance, which you might find in YouTube tutorials. 

Restaurants often hire professionals like us for our expertise, similar to outsourcing lawn care or landscaping. We save you time and, ultimately, money by ensuring effective pest management.

How Much Does Restaurant Pest Control Cost?

Restaurant pest control is more affordable than many owners realize, especially considering the tight margins in the industry. The cost is minimal compared to the potential damage from customer complaints or reputational harm caused by pest issues. 

For an average small restaurant, monthly pest control typically costs $100 to $200. Larger venues with more seats or bar areas may range from $200 to $500, depending on the location and needs. 

For bigger restaurants, rodent control is also critical, as mice or roof rats may come from neighboring properties. Proactive measures keep rodent populations in check. 

Overall, pest control is a cost-effective investment to ensure customers enjoy a clean, healthy dining experience.

How to Control Pests in a Restaurant

For restaurant pest control, we use Integrated Pest Management (IPM), combining chemical, mechanical, and exclusion methods to prevent pests from entering and thriving. During assessments, we identify sources of infestations, focusing on pests like house flies, filth flies, fungus gnats, drain flies, and German cockroaches, which often enter via supplier deliveries. We recommend verifying that your suppliers have pest control programs to minimize this risk.

Our approach includes:

• Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs): Non-toxic products that disrupt pest reproduction, gradually eradicating populations like German cockroaches.
• Sanitation Guidance: We advise on maintaining sanitary conditions to prevent pest-attracting messes, especially in sugary beverage or bar areas that draw flies and roaches.
• Exterior Barriers: Applying treatments around the building’s foundation to block pests from entering.
• Interior Treatments: Using repellents to kill active pests, along with baits for cockroaches and flies that pests carry back to nests, eliminating them at the source.
• Drain Treatments and Traps: Targeting fungus gnats in drains and using fly baits and traps to control house flies.

Each treatment is customized based on a thorough inspection of your property. For new restaurants, we aim to prevent issues before they start, recommending bi-weekly or monthly visits to maintain a pest-free environment and avoid larger problems.