Should a Restaurant Outsource Pest Control ? 5 Reasons Why it’s a Good Idea.
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Many people strive to open and run their own restaurant, but it comes with many challenges. Managing the finances, recruiting staff, finding the right suppliers and staying ahead of the competition - all of which can place a strain on even the most dynamic of business owners.
In the food industry there is also the additional issue of pest control to manage. A “pest” is defined as any kind of animal which is harmful to human activity. Pests carry a wide range of bacteria which can cause illness and diseases, some of which can be life-threatening. As pests are naturally drawn to food, the food industry is particularly vulnerable to this area of health concern. The most common types of pests drawn to catering establishments are rodents, cockroaches and flies. Once they have established themselves, they can be difficult to dislodge.
What is Pest control?
Pest control is the management of any “pest” which can be harmful to humans.
So, it’s necessary to have an effective pest control strategy in place from the moment your restaurant opens, in order to maintain the highest levels of cleanliness and adhere to regulations.
Exclusion and cleanliness are the basis of any successful pest control management programme. These two approaches help prevent infestation and lead to a more safe, efficient and organised workplace. Effective pest control doesn’t just seek to eradicate problems when they arise but prevents an infestation occurring in the first place.
While it’s not a legal requirement to have a pest control management contract in place, there is a legal requirement to ensure it is properly managed, whether you do this in-house or outsource it. Even with external pest control management, responsibility doesn’t just lie with the contractor. The proprietor is obliged to ensure that certain 'in-house controls' are in place. A cleaning schedule for your premises and equipment must be established. Without thorough and regular sanitisation, catering establishments are vulnerable to infestation by pests.
While it may be more cost-effective to manage pest control in-house, there are many benefits to outsourcing your pest control when you run a restaurant. Let’s look at a few of the reasons.
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5 reasons to outsource your restaurant pest control
#1 It will ease some of the pressure of running the business
Running a business comes with a daunting list of responsibilities and the buck stops with the owner. Some proprietors can feel as if they have to do everything themselves. However, pest control is one responsibility that is easily dealt with by an outside contractor.
The pest control specialist will know the best way to prevent a pest problem, decide the ideal approach for dealing with an existing one whether it is insecticides, rodenticides, traps or proofing. The right method for dealing with a problem will depend on the specific environment, and pest control experts will make this assessment when they visit. Given that a pest problem can have such significant consequences for running a restaurant, this is one thing on the to-do list that is best left to the professionals.
#2 Outsourcing is more cost effective
Tackling pest control in-house will require you to invest time, money and effort. Taking matters into your own hands can be a false economy if you’re not using the correct approach for your business, or if your other responsibilities take over and you can’t devote the time to proper prevention and control. The cost of calling in the experts is likely to be significantly less than the expense of dealing with any legal action arising from a pest problem. So, you can look on it as an investment to safeguard the fruits of your hard work.
#3 More likely to carry out effective management
Running a restaurant can be the ultimate exercise in multi-skilling. It’s the kind of career where you never stop learning new skills. But effective pest control isn’t the kind of thing you can get up to speed with overnight. Trying to treat the problem yourself, but employing the wrong approach, can be like pouring money down a drain. You could end up using a treatment that has little or no effect, with the result that the problem gets worse in the meantime. The experts have extensive training and years of experience in the correct methods for keeping pests away from your kitchen and eating areas. This can give you peace of mind, leaving you to concentrate on the things you do best.
#4 External contractors will carry out a thorough job
If you are running a restaurant and managing pest control, you are more likely to become distracted by other responsibilities. External contractors have one job to do, which they will carry out to completion and avoid potential distractions.
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#5 An external contractor will keep track of regular visits.
Frequent inspections and proper pest management must be scheduled and carried out in full to ensure your facility meets mandatory norms of food safety. It can be difficult to keep to regular treatments when there are so many other things to do while running a restaurant. An effective pest control management strategy will ensure regular visits and check-ups take place, leaving nothing to chance.
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Should a restaurant outsource pest control ?
Bearing all this in mind, there is no reason why you shouldn’t outsource pest control management when you run a restaurant. Contracting out will give you peace of mind and allow you to focus on running your business. A restaurant needs commercial pest services consistently and frequently.
What next?
Dalgetty Pest Control believes in protecting people’s businesses. They understand how distressing it can be to find your home or business in the midst of a pest infestation and so pride themselves in providing a discreet and efficient service.
Customers who have a contract with Dalgetty Pest Control are provided with regular maintenance and checks and updates twice a quarter to provide a smooth, consistent service. David will provide a personal and effective service with regular feedback and tips on how best to keep pests at bay.