Ants are notorious for invading restaurants, causing a nuisance to customers and staff. Not only can they be unsightly, but they can also contaminate food and surfaces with their trail of bacteria. But don’t fret; we’re here to help you address the issue. Here’s how to get rid of ants in your restaurant.
1. Identify the Ant Species
The first step in getting rid of ants in your restaurant is to identify the species of ant you are dealing with. Different species require different treatment methods, and misidentifying the species can result in ineffective treatment.
Some common ant species that may infest your restaurant include pharaoh ants, pavement ants, odorous house ants and carpenter ants. You can usually identify the species of an ant by examining its physical characteristics and behaviour. That information can also help when you need to hire professional pest control services.
2. Clean and Sanitise
No matter their species, ants are attracted to food residue and crumbs, so it is essential to clean up any spills or crumbs as soon as they occur. Regularly sweep and mop floors, wipe down countertops and tables and keep ingredients and other food items in sealed containers. When cleaning surfaces, you can use a solution of water and vinegar or a commercial disinfectant.
Ants can also invade electrical appliances, like coffee machines and printers. Prevent untimely espresso machine or printer servicing by keeping your appliances and other electronics clean and free of food crumbs.
3. Eliminate Entry Points
Ants can enter your restaurant through the tiniest cracks and crevices. So to prevent ants from entering your establishment, seal any entry points around doors, windows and pipes. This can be done with weather stripping, caulking or expanding foam.
Additionally, make sure to keep all backdoors and windows in the kitchen closed when possible. If viable, consider installing screens to prevent insects from entering.
4. Use Bait Stations
Using bait stations is one of the most effective ways to get rid of ants in your restaurant. Ants are attracted to the bait containing a slow-acting poison. The ants then carry the poison back to the colony, where it is shared among the other ants.
This method can take several days to show results, but it is a safe and effective way to eliminate the entire colony. Place your bait stations near doors, windows, food storage areas and any other spots where you have seen ants.
5. Use Insecticide Sprays
Insecticide sprays can be used to kill ants on contact. However, this method is not effective at eliminating the entire colony and can also pose a risk to customers and staff if misused. But if insecticide sprays are the only viable option for you right now, make sure to follow the instructions carefully. Use them only in areas with no risk of contamination of food or surfaces. Also, don’t forget to wear protective gear such as gloves and a mask.
6. Hire a Pest Control Professional
Do you have a severe ant infestation in your restaurant? It may be necessary to hire a commercial pest control company. Here at Commercial Building Repairs, we have the knowledge & experience to identify the species of ant and determine the most effective treatment method. When you hire us, we will also help identify & eliminate any other pest problems in your restaurant, such as cockroaches or rodents.
7. Prevent Future Infestations
Preventing future ant infestations in your restaurant is essential to maintaining a clean and safe environment for your customers and staff. Some steps you can take include:
- Regularly inspecting and maintaining the exterior of your restaurant
- Sealing any entry points
- Keeping food in sealed containers
- Regularly cleaning and sanitising surfaces
- Storing garbage in sealed containers and observing proper garbage disposal
Summing it up
Getting rid of ants in your restaurant requires a multi-faceted approach that includes identifying the species of ant, cleaning and sanitising, eliminating entry points, using bait stations and potentially hiring a professional pest control company.
Preventing future infestations is also essential to keeping your restaurant clean, safe and healthy for your customers and staff. If you need more tips on how to get rid of ants in your restaurant, don’t hesitate to contact us.