Is Your Restaurant Over Run By Pests?

Where to Check (and What to Do) Before It Costs You

Pests don’t need an invitation — just a small gap or overlooked corner. As a restaurant owner or operator, spotting the most common pest entry points in your structure can save you from surprise inspections, negative reviews, or even shutdowns.

Here’s a simple guide to help you catch issues early — before they become costly problems.

1. Worn or Damaged Door Seals

Rodents can squeeze through gaps as small as ¼ inch — and worn door seals are one of the most common access points.

What to Look For:

• Light coming in from under or around the door

• Torn, flattened, or missing weatherstripping

• Doors that don’t close flush

What to Do:

Install or replace weatherstripping and door sweeps. Use metal or heavy rubber where rodents can chew.

Mice can squeeze through a gap as small as your pinkie!

2. Unsealed Utility and Drain Line Cutouts

Any time plumbing, gas, or electrical lines enter the building, it creates a potential pest highway — especially if the edges are not sealed properly.

What to Look For:

• Holes around pipes under sinks or dish stations

• Cutouts near AC lines or behind equipment

• Foam that has been chewed or pulled back

What to Do:

Use copper mesh + low-expansion foam (rodents can chew through caulk alone). Steel plate patches are also effective for large holes.

Heavy traffic around drain line.

3. Base of Drywall and Wall-Floor Intersections

These are often overlooked — especially in older buildings. Moisture, cleaning chemicals, or repeated mopping can wear away drywall and baseboards.

What to Look For:

• Cracks or gaps along wall edges

• Soft, peeling drywall at base

• Evidence of droppings or gnawing in corners

What to Do:

Seal or repair damaged walls. Add protective trim or corner guards in high-moisture areas.

Dry wall is easy material for mice to chew through.

Bonus Tip: Check Above the Ceiling Tiles

Rodents and cockroaches love ceiling voids — they’re warm, dark, and often untouched for years. Many infestations go undetected until the signs become visible below.

What to Look For:

• Gaps in ceiling tiles or loose-fitting panels

• Chewed insulation or rodent droppings above tiles

• Sounds of movement at night

What to Do:

Lift a few ceiling tiles in quiet areas. If you see signs of activity, schedule an inspection. This is one of the first places pest professionals check.

Checking above your hanging tile could lead to a surprise!

Why Sanitation Alone Isn’t Enough

Even if your kitchen is spotless, pests will find any structural access point they can.

And even the best pest treatments won’t be effective if:

• Food scraps are left in hard-to-clean spots

• Storage areas are cluttered

• Access points are left unsealed

Rodent bait and insect gel only work if pests don’t have easier food or hiding options.

What Health Inspectors Look For:

You may pass a general cleanliness check — but these issues can still lead to violations:

• Droppings in corners or behind equipment

• Evidence of past or present pest activity

• Entry points or structural gaps

• Lack of pest monitoring or reporting

Want Help Spotting These Risks Before They Cost You?

At RESOLVE Pest Control, we offer a Free Structural Entry Point Walkthrough for food businesses. No pressure, no obligation — just a professional second pair of eyes to help you stay compliant and pest-free.

📞 778-907-7001 | 📧 info@resolvepestcontrol.ca | 🌐 www.resolvepestcontrol.ca

🖨️ Want This as a Checklist?

Ask us for a printable “Pest Entry Risk Guide” to share with your team or post in your backroom.