Running a restaurant or food business can be challenging enough without dealing with unwanted flies. Yet, we see time and again how these tiny pests can tarnish a business’s reputation in no time. As a Raleigh-based pest control company, Wake Pest has worked with numerous local establishments to tackle fly problems head-on. In this article, we’ll explain why flies flock to restaurants and how you, as an owner or manager, can keep these unwelcome guests at bay.
What Draws Flies to Food Establishments?
It might seem like a no-brainer—restaurants have food, and flies are there for the feast. But there’s more to it than just readily available meals:
- Abundant Waste: Kitchen scraps, overflowing trash bins, and even the aroma from organic waste can be major attractants.
- Moisture and Heat: Busy kitchens generate heat and often have damp areas—perfect breeding conditions for many fly species.
- Spills and Residues: Sticky floors, soda fountain drips, and areas around dishwashers can provide micro-habitats for flies.
According to a National Restaurant Association survey, 65% of diners said they’d think twice about returning to a restaurant where they saw multiple flies. That’s a statistic no business wants to ignore.
The Fly Types You’ll Typically Encounter
While house flies may be the most common, restaurants also deal with:
- Fruit Flies: Attracted to sugary residues, fruits, and fermented beverages.
- Drain Flies: Thrive in the gunk that can build up in floor drains and grease traps.
- Phorid Flies: Often found in sewage and soil contaminated with organic matter, they can be a sign of plumbing issues.
Key Areas to Focus On
To effectively control flies, you need to think like a fly. Where would you go for food, warmth, and a place to breed? Here are the hotspots:
- Kitchen Prep Areas: Tiny bits of food, spills, and wet surfaces are irresistible to flies.
- Trash Storage: If your garbage cans or dumpsters are close to the building and not sealed properly, that’s a big draw.
- Beverage Stations and Bars: Overflowing drip trays or spilled beer and soda can lead to fruit fly infestations.
- Restrooms: Damp conditions in restrooms can also attract some species of flies looking for moisture.
Preventive Measures That Make a Difference
Luckily, there are several strategies you can implement that have proven effective for our clients here in Raleigh:
- Proper Sanitation: Train staff to clean up spills immediately. Schedule regular deep cleans, especially in less visible areas like under equipment.
- Sealed Trash Bins: Use bins with tight-fitting lids and empty them frequently. Keep dumpsters away from doorways if possible.
- Screen Doors and Air Curtains: Install these at entrances to create a barrier that flies have difficulty crossing.
- Drain Maintenance: Regularly scrub and flush floor drains with enzyme cleaners to remove the organic matter that drain flies feed on.
- Food Storage Protocol: Keep all produce, condiments, and other supplies covered or refrigerated.
Staff Training and Involvement
A fly-free restaurant is a team effort. We recommend:
- Assigning Tasks: Clearly define who is responsible for taking out trash, scrubbing drains, and cleaning specific areas.
- Checklists: Use daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning checklists to ensure no area is overlooked.
- Awareness Training: Educate staff on the health risks and reputation damage flies can cause, encouraging everyone to take it seriously.
A 2018 study showed that restaurants with well-trained staff saw a 40% reduction in pest complaints compared to those without formal training programs.
Tools and Technology
Beyond keeping things clean, there are modern tools to help you stay on top of fly control:
- Insect Light Traps (ILTs): These can be discreetly placed in dining areas or kitchens to attract and capture flying insects.
- Automatic Misters: Some systems release natural or low-toxicity repellents at timed intervals, though these need careful regulation in food prep areas.
- Biological Drain Cleaners: Enzyme-based cleaners break down organic matter in drains, making them less hospitable for breeding.
Regulatory Considerations
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services conducts routine inspections of food establishments. Excessive fly presence can lead to demerits that affect your health inspection score. Low scores can deter customers and, in worst-case scenarios, result in temporary closure. Staying ahead of fly problems isn’t just about customer satisfaction—it’s also a compliance issue.
When to Call in Professionals
If flies are a persistent issue, even after implementing good sanitation and basic prevention measures, it may be time for professional help. At Wake Pest, we offer:
- Comprehensive Inspections: We look at your entire setup—from front of house to back—to identify hidden fly breeding sites.
- Custom Treatment Plans: We recommend solutions tailored to your specific establishment and its layout.
- Ongoing Monitoring: Follow-up visits and traps can help ensure that flies don’t become a recurring issue.
Hiring a pro might seem like an added expense, but when weighed against the potential cost of lost customers or health department fines, it’s an investment that often pays for itself.
Bottom Line for Business Owners
Flies can quickly turn a positive dining experience into a negative one, but you don’t have to let them jeopardize your hard-earned reputation. By focusing on cleanliness, staff training, strategic technology, and timely professional intervention when needed, you can keep flies out and customers in.
At Wake Pest, we’re proud to support the local Raleigh business community by offering effective, discreet pest control solutions. If you have questions or would like a tailored plan for your restaurant or food establishment, we’re here to help. Together, we can ensure that the only buzz around your restaurant is about how great the food is—not the flies.