Rodents have been a problem for the food industry since the first food cart operator started hawking meat pies in the Middle Ages. But the problem has exploded in scope in recent years. According to a recent study published in the journal Science, 69 percent of cities studied, including Washington, D.C., San Francisco, New York City, Oakland, Buffalo, Chicago, Boston, Kansas City, and Cincinnati, had significant increases in rat populations in the period studied. Warmer temperatures extending breeding seasons and growing populations in cities are just two of the factors contributing to more rodents, and more rodent problems for restaurants and the food service industry.
Outdoor restaurant kitchens have also gained in popularity with new construction spend expecting to exceed $50 billion. These kitchens require compliance to state health codes which mandate the protection of the work surfaces from rodents, insects and debris (dust/dirt).
Controlling rodent populations at restaurants begins with proper food storage and trash management. Especially in outdoor spaces, trash cans should be emptied several times a day. Tables and chairs should be cleaned of debris and wiped down to remove food residue. The food prep areas and around tables where guests are dining should be swept clean throughout the day and washed and disinfected to deep clean any grease residue or food scraps from the surface on a regular schedule or as large spills occur. These provisions are all outlined in the state Health and Safety Code as it pertains to outdoor kitchen and food preparation and service areas.
Traps are often placed around restaurant parking lots and near dumpsters. While rodents may enter the traps and eat the poison inside, the traps are also counterproductive. They are designed to attract rodents to them, thereby attracting rodents to the area around a restaurant, not ideal. Another drawback of traps and rodent poison is that after the rodent consumes the poison its body becomes contaminated. Scavenger birds and animals that might later eat the rodent could also be impacted by the poison. There are states like California that have now mandated the restriction of certain poisons to reduce the collateral harm to other species, but it also makes the poisons less effective.
One of the main concerns with the presence of rodents in a restaurant is the bacteria and viruses they can spread. Hantavirus, leptospirosis, rat bite fever, and even the plague can be spread through bites, droppings, and urine. Beyond protecting food and beverage products from rodent exposure, restaurants also need to be vigilant about the cleanliness of dishes, utensils, cooking equipment, and food preparation surfaces. In California, the restraint health code requires restaurants to install rodent resistant covers on outdoor cooking and food preparation surfaces. When selecting a cover to comply with local code requirements, restaurants should keep in mind that there is no such thing as a rodent proof fabric regardless of what some vendors claim. Rodents can chew threw bulletproof fabrics like Kevlar. A certain type of fabric is not going to keep out a rodent, but providing a barrier of entry helps. Rodents do not like sitting in the open for long. Creating a blocking barrier like a cover sealing the entrances to the work areas is an effective solution for keeping them out. It also stays on during windstorms
The reality is, rodents will always be a challenge for the food service industry. Making a restaurant completely rodent proof is basically impossible. Rodents can smell food through plastic and cardboard packaging. Rodents can also chew through nearly any material including wood, wallboard, plastic bins and metal fiber.
Putting barriers between rodents and their food, proper food storage, and regular cleaning can help control rodent populations and limit their activity around restaurants. Consistent and thorough rodent management protocols can help restaurants reduce current rodent activity and help mitigate it in the future.
Ken Huening is the CEO and inventor behind CoverSeal, a company focused on innovative protective covers for vehicles and outdoor equipment. With more than 40 years of experience in the semiconductor industry, he brings deep engineering expertise to solving real-world problems. He created CoverSeal after experiencing significant rodent damage to his own vehicles, turning a personal challenge into a patented solution.
