Top 3 Ways Cockroaches Threaten Restaurants & Food Safety

You may think cockroaches are common enough to be ignored, but the threats they pose can have significant business implications. Cockroaches possess intense survival skills that allow them to live headless for a week, hold their breath underwater 15 times longer than the average human and even survive extreme levels of radiation that would finish us in minutes, meaning whatever you might wish, they aren’t going away anytime soon.

Signs of Cockroach Infestation in Restaurants & Facilities

Cockroach infestations in restaurants and commercial facilities can seriously jeopardize food safety and harm your business’s reputation. Knowing the signs of an infestation is key to addressing the issue quickly. Here’s what to look out for:

• Visible Cockroaches: Spotting live or dead cockroaches—especially during the day—usually means the infestation is severe.

• Droppings: Look for small, dark droppings that resemble coffee grounds or ground pepper, a common indicator of cockroach activity.

• Egg Casings: Finding reddish-brown, oval-shaped egg cases in hidden areas signals active breeding.

• Unpleasant Odor: A strong, musty smell often points to a large cockroach population.

• Smear Marks: Dark, irregular smears on walls, floors, or other surfaces where cockroaches frequently move.

• Shed Skins: As cockroaches grow, they shed their exoskeletons—discarded skins are a clear sign of their presence.

• Damage to Food Packaging: Check for gnaw marks or holes in food containers and packaging.

• Fecal Stains: Dark spots or stains around cracks, crevices, and corners, particularly in kitchens, may indicate a problem.

Identifying these signs early is essential for maintaining food safety standards and protecting your business reputation.

How Cockroaches Can Affect Your Business

If you need to make a case for cockroach control, here are three things to consider about the downsides of this pest’s presence at your business:

1. Health Concerns

Capable of spreading these dangerous bacteria from one surface to another, cockroaches can contaminate human food and surfaces— a recipe for disaster.

Dust and grime in many commercial facilities and restaurants may contain cockroaches’ dead body parts, exoskeletons and droppings. Exposure to these remnants can be an irritant to the 25 million Americans affected by allergies and even escalate to asthma in some sensitive individuals.

2. Reputation

You aren’t the only one who finds cockroaches offensive. Customers who notice these pests scurrying through your business may take to review sites to report it. For regulated environments, cockroach problems can lead to low or failed inspection scores, patient safety concerns, and lost points on audits.

3. Property Contamination

Cockroaches will feed on almost any food source, making the food, supplies and other products at restaurants and commercial facilities vulnerable to cockroach contamination. Not only are they attracted to what’s already inside your business, but they may also find their way in on delivered packages, supplies and shipments.

How to Get Rid of Cockroaches in a Restaurant

Getting rid of cockroaches in a restaurant calls for a strategic and thorough plan. Think of it as a tactical operation to reclaim your kitchen. Here’s your step-by-step guide:

• Contact a Professional Pest Control Service: This should be your first step when faced with cockroaches in a restaurant. DIY sprays and baits are rarely effective in a commercial setting because they don't reach the hidden nests and won't eliminate the eggs. An exterminator can identify the species, locate nesting sites, and implement targeted treatments that are safe for a food service environment.

• Evaluate and Enhance Sanitation Protocols: Even the best pest control treatment will fail if restaurant sanitation is poor. Work with your staff to ensure strict cleaning procedures are followed. This includes deep cleaning kitchen equipment, floors, and drains, immediately wiping up spills, and leaving no food residue overnight.

• Implement Proper Food and Waste Management:

  • Store all food in airtight containers made of hard plastic, glass, or metal, and keep them at least six inches off the floor to prevent access by cockroaches in restaurants.

  • Use trash cans with tight-fitting lids and empty them frequently.

  • Keep outdoor dumpsters clean, closed, and positioned as far away from the building as possible.

Cockroach Prevention for Businesses

Preventing cockroach infestations in restaurants and commercial facilities takes a proactive and thorough approach. Here are some essential strategies to keep these pests out of your business:

• Maintain Cleanliness: Clean and sanitize all surfaces, equipment, and storage areas regularly. Quickly remove food debris, spills, and grease, as these are major cockroach attractants.

• Proper Food Storage: Store perishables in airtight containers and keep them at least six inches off the floor. Inspect all incoming food shipments for signs of pests before bringing them inside.

• Seal Entry Points: Check for holes in walls, cracks around pipes and vents, and gaps in doors or windows. Seal these areas to block cockroaches from sneaking into your facility.

• Effective Waste Management: Use tightly sealed trash cans with liners and lids and empty them frequently. Keep outdoor dumpsters clean, well-maintained, and positioned away from your building.

• Regular Inspections: Schedule routine inspections to spot and address cockroach activity early. Train your staff to identify signs like droppings, egg casings, and shed skins.

• Equipment Placement: Seal equipment to the floor or raise it at least six inches off the ground. This makes cleaning underneath easier and reduces hiding spots for roaches.

• Cardboard Management: Remove and dispose of cardboard boxes immediately after unpacking deliveries, as they create ideal hiding spots for cockroaches.

• Staff Education: Train employees on hygiene, food handling, and pest prevention practices. Encourage them to report any pest sightings right away.

• Professional Pest Control: Partner with a licensed pest control provider for regular inspections and preventive cockroach treatments customized to your facility’s needs.

By following these steps, restaurants and commercial facilities can greatly reduce the risk of cockroach infestations and maintain a clean, safe environment for food preparation and service.

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