Throughout January, February and March, business is painfully slow for Needham, Massachusetts, restaurants. The only significant boost comes on Valentine’s Day. To help bolster interest, cities like nearby Boston participate in Restaurant Week, which Boston now calls Dine-Out Week. Master chefs, samples of local fare and special deals abound during the celebration. In 2016, Dine-Out Week will be observed March 6-11 and 13-18.
If you own or manage one of the participating restaurants, you’ll want to make sure that everything is perfect; that means ensuring that no rats are present in your kitchen, dining area or anywhere else. Few things can ruin a restaurant’s reputation faster than poor rat control.
Signs of Rat Presence
Although rats are sneaky, they do make their presence known. If you observe any of the following signs, contact a rodent control professional immediately.
- Numerous rat droppings clearly indicate an infestation. A rat can produce up to 40 droppings per night. The droppings are dark brown, spindle-shaped objects that resemble large grains of rice, and they tend to be concentrated in areas where rats congregate or nest.
- Greasy smudges and dark smears on skirting boards or along walls also suggest a rat problem; these rub marks are created by rats to help establish familiar routes.
- Unusual noises such as scurrying, scratching, grinding or chattering sounds are another sign of trouble; these may occur at night as rats climb or move around inside walls or under floorboards.
- Foot and tail marks may be found in dusty, isolated areas. To determine if an infestation is active, sprinkle flour along the floor, and check for fresh tracks daily.
- Rat nests may be present in attics, crawlspaces, lofts and even in cavity walls. Nests often consist of shredded materials such as insulation, paper, cardboard and other soft materials.
- If you suspect the presence of rats, check the vicinity for rat holes. Brown rats are known for excavating complex burrow systems for nesting, shelter and food storage. Holes are often found near well-vegetated areas and wasteland.
Trust Our Ecocare Culinary Program for Effective Rat Control
Our Ecocare Culinary pest and rodent control program is designed specifically for restaurants and other food-based businesses. Chain restaurants, fine dining establishments and food service locations in and around the Needham, Massachusetts, area can rely on our Culinary program to provide ongoing protection from contamination, loss of food stores, health code violations and horrified customers. If you’re ready to rat-proof your eatery for Dine-Out Week, contact us today.