Commercial kitchen owners have a responsibility and legal duty to maintain a clean and safe environment for their staff and customers. Along with thorough cleaning on a daily basis, food businesses are also required to have their commercial kitchens deep cleaned on a regular basis in order to prevent pests.
It is a legal requirement that commercial kitchens are professionally cleaned every 6 months to maintain food hygiene standards. If neglected, there is an increased risk of pest infestations and business owners may find themselves in breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974).
Even with the best intentions and hygiene standards, sometimes pest infestations do occur. If evidence of pests are found within your food establishment, then notices will be served and you may be closed down temporarily or even permanently!
Not only do pests have a huge impact on your food hygiene ratings, but can seriously affect the success of your business. Malum can eradicate pests from your commercial kitchen quickly and discreetly.
To find out more about our pest control services, please contact us.
How do you deal with pests in a commercial kitchen?
The best method of pest control in commercial kitchens is undoubtedly prevention. At the end of the day, it all comes down to good hygiene standards and vigilance.
Along with bi-annual deep cleaning, you should ensure rubbish is kept securely, bins are emptied on a regular basis, food storage areas are kept clean and spills are cleaned quickly.
The same goes for any dining areas on your premises.
It is also essential to limit entry points by sealing up holes and cracks, as rodents can squeeze in through the tiniest of spaces. Insect screens are also an effective way of keeping out flying pests.
For total peace of mind, it pays to take out a commercial pest control contract.
We will provide a bespoke solution and service agreement covering your business requirements, which includes varying frequencies of visits, levels of cover and species under our agreement.
At Malum, we also offer staff training as part of our commercial pest control contracts, to help spot the signs of infestation.
Insects and rodents are relentless in their pursuit of food and shelter so, unfortunately, sometimes infestations do occur.
Pests can multiply at an alarming rate, so if you spot the signs of an infestation it is wise to contact a pest controller as soon as possible.
At Malum Southern Bird and Pest Control we offer a range of safe and effective methods to exterminate common kitchen pests including rats, mice, cockroaches, flies and ants.
Why use professional cleaning service for a restaurant kitchen?
Food safety laws state that you must deep clean your commercial kitchen every six months.
While this may seem like an unnecessary expense, a regular deep clean is essential to ensure cleanliness, including the areas that you can’t usually see.
From a safety point of view, deep cleans get rid of ingrained grease that may represent a fire hazard if it’s left to build up.
A deep clean can also help to prolong the life of your catering equipment and appliances, freeing them of grease that can clog them up. So it could even save you money in the long run.
Deep cleaning commercial kitchens helps prevent pests
Perhaps the most compelling reason to hire a commercial cleaning company is to reduce the risk of contamination caused by pests, such as rats, flies and cockroaches.
Pests are incredibly bad news for food businesses, as they carry an array of nasty allergens, bacteria and disease, most commonly Salmonella and E-coli.
Along with the obvious health risks, pest infestations can cause irreparable damage to a company’s reputation and leaves them vulnerable to legal action.
In severe cases, premises that are found to be in breach of food hygiene regulations can be forced to close or even prosecuted.
What does a professional deep clean involve?
A professional cleaning service uses specialist equipment and cleaning chemicals to achieve a very high level of cleanliness.
They will remove built up grease, food and bacteria from every surface and appliance, including areas that are usually out of sight.
Professional cleaning methods will also thoroughly remove food debris to make your commercial kitchen less appealing to pests.
Along with surfaces, floors and walls, all cooking equipment will be cleaned inside and out, including ovens, fridges, freezers, deep fat fryers and extractor fans.
A deep clean will also target grease traps such as ventilation systems and filters, along with places that bacteria can grow, like the seals of fridge doors.
When a kitchen is deep cleaned, you can expect an entirely degreased, sanitised kitchen which could pass for brand new.
Deep cleaning can reduce the risk of pests in commercial kitchens
Daily kitchen cleaning is essential to remove spills and debris that attract pests. Regular deep cleans by a commercial cleaning company will undoubtedly reduce the risk of pest infestations in your commercial kitchen even further.
Simply put, pests go where the food is. By thoroughly removing food debris in areas that are hard to reach or out of sight, you remove their life source and hopefully they will be reluctant to settle and will move on.
A professional deep clean also requires heavy appliances to be moved, so if there are signs of infestation they can be dealt with by a pest controller before they get out of hand.
FAQs
Does kitchen deep cleaning kill pests?
The chemicals used in deep cleaning are generally non-caustic and will not necessarily kill pests – for that you need pesticides targeted at the specific type of pest, administered by a professional pest controller.
The purpose of deep cleaning is more to prevent contamination and pests.
Do I need to keep up with commercial kitchen deep cleaning?
Commercial kitchen cleaning is a requirement of UK law, as part of the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974).
To remain compliant, business owners must also ensure commercial kitchens are deep cleaned every six months to avoid food contamination and pest infestations.
Conclusion
To ensure that your commercial kitchen stays free of contamination and pests, you must ensure your hygiene standards are scrupulous.
Along with thorough cleaning on a daily basis, businesses are required to have their kitchen professionally cleaned every six months.
It is wise to take out a commercial pest control contract for added protection and to stay compliant with health and safety regulations.
Contact Malum for your commercial pest control requirements
Malum Southern Pest and Bird Control can eradicate infestations in your commercial kitchen quickly and discreetly.
To find out more about our services and to arrange a free quote, please contact us.
