Lots of rats in the lots

A little "vacant lot" in one of the "outer boros" has been seeing rats.  Upon investigating we find numerous conditions that are helpful to the rats, namely human clutter and human trash.  Trash containers like these are not good for outside areas, unless they are going to be kept closed with tight fitting lids.  Also, the very presence of clutter is conducive to rodent activity.  Clutter provides shelter, nesting areas, and gives them items on which to gnaw.

The best bet to conquer this problem is 1) to have a day of Spring cleaning, throwing away everything in the lot, 2) having someone keep an eye on the lot to make sure sanitation is kept up, 3) replace these trash cans with those big rectangular hoppers that have the lids attached so there is less temptation to leave them uncovered, 4) install a good amount of rodent bait stations, maybe even more than you need at first, so that you can reduce the population, 5) check for burrows and treat them as needed.  Also, if your budget allows, drones can be used to perform periodic fly overs to attack the rats.

The bottom line is: if you don't care about your lot in life, you will have lots of rats.

You deserve better than "better than nothing."

Straight out of a horror movie come the Water Bugs, these large American Cockroaches, right up through the piping and into your bath tub (hopefully you are not sitting in the tub at that very moment).  This overflow drain was apparently the source of access for the bugs, and so the resident took it upon himself to tape up the slot with masking tape, and then put steel wool around the bottom gap.  It looks ugly, won't last long, and it might even cause damage to the tub.

To minimize Water Bugs getting into your bath tub: 1) have your Pest Elimination team inspect and make regular treatments to bathrooms, kitchens, and all areas where pipes come into your apartment, 2) if you have a tub or sink that you don't use regularly, you should periodically run water down the drain to prevent Water Bugs from harboring in these tunnels, 3) invest in the proper caps or lids or plugs for your drains, overflows, etc., and keep them on at all times.  Masking tape is better than nothing, but you deserve better than "better than nothing."

Blockade to sanitation

This is a typical sight underneath a kitchen's appliances.  We see broccoli, snap peas, and other healthy choices, but also a lot of decaying organic food matter (DOFM) that has built up over time and is ideal for pests to feed and breed.  Also, notice how the steel coil forms a blockade above the crevice and literally blocks attempts to do deep cleaning.  This is a dream situation for flies, roaches, and rodents, and a nightmare for friends of clean kitchens everywhere.

One option is to see if the coil can be tied up a few inches above the floor.  A second idea is to dedicate an extra hour each week to have your team do a deep cleaning in these areas (that means get on your hands and knees, use a flash light and something abrasive to scrape everything out, and get the job done like your care about self-preservation).

These problems only get fixed on purpose.

Happy Fourth of July

Red, White, and Blue, the colors of our nation.  And in this picture they are the colors of conditions conducive to fruit flies and other pests.  Cardboard soaked with syrups is a dream for flies.  While it may seem impractical, time should be taken to wipe these cardboard boxes clean.  And let your team know the importance of minimizing spills.

Ew York City will return on Monday.

I want to wish all of our readers a safe, peaceful, pest free Independence Day!

The Abyss

Where are they coming from?  Why do I keep finding wretched creatures of the night in my restaurant bar?  Are there any answers?
Maybe.  One possibility is situations like this above.  This pipe feeds into a wall, and it continues all the way to the nether regions of your building far below your cool little gastropub.  Rodents, Water Bugs, Chuppacabra, and almost anything else can make it's way through this entry point.
This needs to be sealed, preferably with something that is going to be gnaw resistant, but that also will stand up to the moisture and temperature changes that it will be put through.  Also, we want to apply our products to the void before it is sealed, so that we can give our unwanted visitors something to taste.  How many of these invitations to terror are in your abode?

Look closely

What are those?  Are they mouse droppings?  Are they just debris or dirt from the kitchen appliances?  Can you be sure of your answer?
If you have to look twice, then there is cause for concern.  Health inspectors are not infallible, and I would assert that in the history of the NYC Health Dept there has been more than one instance where something that was not "rodent excreta" was called "rodent excreta."
The bottom line is: you cannot be too clean.  You cannot be too diligent.  You cannot work too hard at keeping your restaurant's sanitation as clean as humanly possible.  Why take a chance?
Incidentally, if memory serves, the one on the left was indeed rodent excreta and the one on the right was a food particle.  But since this picture was taken over a year ago, I cannot be certain.

Many ways to say the same thing

No matter how many times we tell people, no matter how much cleaning we do, no matter the distance between us, pest conducive conditions (PCC) will always exist in the world.  Here is the corner under a kitchen oven.  Notice not only the large pieces of food debris, but all the decaying organic matter (DOM) in the grout.  That buildup can attract pests, vermin, and serve as a breeding ground for flies.  When was the last time you looked under your oven?