We would be lying if we said that we didn’t regularly treat pest issues in some of the “cleanest” and well-known dining locations in Durham region. The fact of the matter is that pests big and small can really make their way anywhere… Restaurants are no exception. In fact, restaurants are a PERFECT source of food and shelter for pests of all types. Below are the 4 most common pests that we are contacted about locally:

1. Rodents:
   Rodents such as mince and rats are common inhabitants of food service buildings. They are adaptable creatures who’s goal is to seek shelter for nesting. Their searches require a good source of warmth, food and water for them to consider it a home. This makes a restaurant a perfect candidate.
   
   Hazards
   Aside from the ‘ickiness’ of knowing there’s a rodent near or around your food, mice and rats are especially dangerous as they carry multiple diseases and are filthy creatures. Further, mice and rats are known cause significant damage due to both their nesting and burrowing habits. Additionally, their presence will almost always cause for a need to ‘clean house’ as far as any food stock is concerned. Mice and rats spread disease through their urine and droppings, so it would be essential to throw away any food product (both raw and packagaed) if their were rodent inhibitants.
2. Cockroaches:
   Cockroaches are the most common type of crawling pest in the food industry business. It is more likely to find signs of a cockroach infestation rather than see an actual cockroach yourself. This is because cockroaches are nocturnal creatures and usually hide out of sight during the day while they scavenge for food at night.
   
   Hazards
   Their saliva, droppings and decomposing bodies contain allergens which have all been linked to some major health issues, specifically breathing issues among children such as asthma
3. Flies:
   There a number of species of flies which are attracted to food odours generated by commercial kitchens such as fruit flies, drain flies and house flies.
   
   Hazards
   Due to their feeding and breeding habits flies pose a huge risk on food safety. Flies are known to transmit over 200 different patheogens which can lead to the contamination of food, utensils, machinery, table tops etc. posing a risk for both patrons and food service workers.
4. Stored Product Pest (SPI):
   There are a variety of insects that can infest stored foods, but most common are small beetles and moths.
   
   Hazards
   SPI’s are known for damaging the raw materials used in food at home or in businesses and feed production, as well as contaminating finished products. This will make the affected foods unusable for use or consumption.