Small flies (including fruit flies, gnats, and drain flies), may be tiny but can cause major health hazards and sanitation issues for bars, restaurants, and cafes. They can rapidly increase in numbers and contaminate food preparation surfaces, posing a serious threat to your customers’ health and safety.
At McCloud Services, our fly control solutions (including our No Fly Zone™ program) are designed to protect your business through comprehensive inspection and control techniques for small fly breeding areas.
Our experts have put together these ten tips to keep small flies at bay in your food service business:
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Clean Under Equipment Every Day
Small fly-attracting organic debris, trash, and moisture can become trapped under and behind kitchen equipment and prep lines. Move equipment out of the way to clean these spaces and use a flashlight to highlight problem areas.
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Secure All Tiles
Missing tiles or worn grout can collect organic debris and quickly become breeding sites for small flies. Make sure that all tiles are secured in place and the grout is intact.
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Remove Equipment Access Panels When Cleaning
Food crumbs, moisture, dust, and other organic build-up collect quickly in, behind, and under equipment such as ovens, refrigerators, and coffee machines. Remove equipment access panels for deep cleaning or schedule a professional cleaning service regularly.
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Practice First In, First Out (FIFO) for Produce
Fruit flies and gnats are attracted to produce that is beginning to spoil and can breed in rotten produce. Practice First In, First Out (FIFO) rotation by placing items with the earliest best before or use-by dates at the front of your food storage areas and items with the furthest dates towards the back.
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Reduce Overall Moisture
Small flies need water to survive. Drain ice wells in the bar area and all sinks in your establishment each night to decrease the risk of infestation. After cleaning, use industrial floor fans to dry wet floors and remove standing water.
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Clean Drink and Bar Drip Trays
The sugars in soda, beer, and coffee syrups are highly attractive to small flies. Clean on top of and underneath soda fountain trays, beer tap drip trays, and flavored syrup stations daily to prevent problems.
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Regularly Clean Drains
Drains, especially those serving soda machines or beer taps, accumulate slime that serves as the perfect breeding material for small flies. Thoroughly clean all drains, drain covers, and drain baskets weekly using protective equipment to prevent contact with harsh chemicals.
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Deep Clean Seating Areas
Equip your employees with a clear checklist of all cleaning procedures for which they are responsible. After closing, rigorously wipe down all chairs, tables, couches, and barstools with the correct cleaning products to remove sticky residue that could attract fruit flies. Floors should be well-mopped and dried with fans if possible.
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Dry Mops by Hanging Them
Wet mop heads are an unsuspected place for fruit flies to breed. Hang mops upside down to drain and dry them properly, and change out mop heads regularly to prevent the build-up of organic debris.
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Partner With McCloud Services for Professional Fly Extermination & Control
The most important tip is to partner with a professional pest control company like McCloud Services to implement a strong Integrated Pest Management solution in your bar, restaurant, or cafe.
Along with our suite of services, our revolutionary Lumnia UV Insect Light Traps offer proven efficacy in eliminating fly issues and reducing the risk of contamination from small flies using LED technology.
McCloud Services’ No Fly Zone™ Program
Our team eliminates small fly infestations by following this process:
- Surveying and identifying active fly breeding zones, species, and conditions sustaining their growth.
- Developing a detailed plan outlining the necessary procedures for the exterior and interior of your establishment.
- Applying bioremediation products and insect growth regulators or insecticide residuals to eliminate fly larvae and their preferred habitats.
- Implementing effective food storage and rotation practices to reduce the risk of small fly infestations.
- Making sanitation recommendations and suggesting structural modifications to help eliminate breeding sites altogether.
Don’t let small flies compromise your business’s reputation and your customers’ health. Contact McCloud Services today to learn more about our commercial fly control solutions.