Can Mice Infestations Shut Down Your Restaurant?

Health code violations can really make you lose your appetite. Restaurant owners and food service operators have a hefty responsibility that goes beyond serving delicious food. They also bear the burden of protecting public health and preventing the spread of foodborne illnesses.

That’s why dealing with mice infestations in restaurants is such a serious proposition. Not only can a restaurant get shut down for mice and other serious health violations, but it can also suffer lasting damage to its reputation.

Introduction to Mice Infestations in Restaurants 

Mice are so much more than their beady, inquisitive eyes and curious, adaptable outlooks. These pests are a true public health hazard. In addition to posing a serious risk of contamination, mice also breed quickly. A single house mouse, one of the most common species, can have up to 48 babies per year. This means that a relatively small infestation can quickly grow into a large-scale problem that puts your employees, customers, and business in danger.

Overview of the Risks Posed by Mice in Food Establishments 

Mice are sometimes called “commensal rodents,” a term that means “sharing one’s table.” And that’s the last place you want to catch sight of these critters in a restaurant setting. Still, restaurants offer the ideal environment for scavenging critters searching for food and water. One of the most problematic concerns is the potential for mice to contaminate foods and surfaces. Although they are relatively small, these pests can create a big mess, leaving droppings everywhere they go. 

Potential Legal and Health Implications 

Lawsuits, legal fees, and fines — oh my. The ramifications of a mouse infestation can add up quickly. Sickened patrons may choose to bring legal action against the establishment. If they don’t, city inspectors may levy substantial fines. If the infestation is widespread and accompanied by other violations like a lack of sanitation, the restaurant could be temporarily shut down.

Health Risks Associated with Mice Infestations 

The presence of mice is a major food safety issue. They often chew on all types of materials, including insulation, structural elements, and even wiring. As problematic as that is, it still doesn’t dim the spotlight on food safety issues and public health concerns.

Diseases and Contaminants Spread by Mice 

Mouse droppings, urine, and saliva can spread dozens of dangerous pathogens and contaminants on surfaces and food itself. The health risks of mice in food establishments include the risk of spreading diseases such as: 

• Salmonella, a bacterial illness that affects more than 1.35 million Americans every year, and causes symptoms like fever, vomiting, headache, and diarrhea (sometimes bloody) 
• Hantavirus, a virus that can affect the lungs and become severe if left untreated 
• Leptospirosis, a bacterial disease that can cause fever, yellowing of the skin and eyes, and stomach problems like diarrhea and pain 
• Hemorrhagic fever, a virus caused by hantavirus that can have severe effects on the kidneys 
• Tularemia, a bacterial illness that can cause skin ulcers, swelling of the glands, sore throats, and fevers 

Impact on Food Safety and Public Health 

Did you know that mice and their larger rodent relatives, rats, spoil tons of food every year? In fact, they destroy enough to feed at least 200 million people annually. Mice can squeeze through tiny openings, making it likely that they will scamper throughout all areas of the restaurant. They may break into the pantry and rifle through dry goods. They may also contaminate other food items, prep areas, and dining spaces. 

Health Inspection Criteria and Mice 

The responsibility of maintaining safe, pest-free conditions rests on the shoulders of restaurant owners and staff. Customers put their trust in eateries’ abilities to do their due diligence in preventing spoilage and contamination. The health inspection process is essential for local health departments to ensure restaurants follow best practices in food handling, storage, and maintaining safe, sanitary conditions.

That includes keeping the restaurant — both front and back of house — pest-free and following necessary preventive measures. 

What Inspectors Look for During Evaluations 

Some of the primary areas health inspectors look for include proper food storage at optimal temperatures, personal hygiene of the staff, and cross-contamination prevention. Inspectors will walk through the premises and assess various aspects of food service, the cooking environment and practices, and sanitation.

Specific to mice and other rodents, inspectors typically look for: 

• Doors propped open and other entry points mice can slip through 
• Signs of mice, including droppings and gnaw marks on packaging or food items 
• Live or dead mice 
• Protocols in place to reduce risks of infestations (i.e., proper food storage, regular cleaning, pest inspection/treatment records) 

Criteria That Could Lead to Restaurant Closure 

Evidence of mice or other pests is typically considered a critical violation. These violations represent a high risk of foodborne illnesses. Any presence of pests will cost a restaurant points, which can impact their grade and the frequency of future inspections.

However, a major infestation could lead to the restaurant’s immediate closure due to mice (and any other pests infesting the premises.

Consequences of Failing a Health Inspection 

Failing an inspection can lead to immediate problems, including fines and loss of revenue. In the long-term, it can also cost restaurants customers and trust among potential patrons.

Immediate and Long-Term Consequences 

Fines can range from $200 to $500 or more, depending on the nature of the violations, the extent of the infestation, and the number of offenses. Other potential ramifications include: 

• Lost revenue due to closure, which will last until the issue is remedied 
• Corrective expenses 
• Permit fees and fees for follow-up health inspections 
• Increased inspection frequency
• Negative impact on the brand and its reputation 
• Negative publicity and bad reviews can lead to long-term customer losses 

Examples of Restaurants Affected by Mice 

Mice are a nationwide issue for restaurants. A few recent headlines underscore the seriousness with which food establishments everywhere must approach pest management and prevention. 

In June 2024, CBS News reported a horrifying instance of mice in a restaurant. A woman eating in a Pennsylvania restaurant videoed more than a dozen mice falling first on her and then in a bathroom sink. The restaurant immediately began working with pest management professionals and local health inspectors to correct the issue. As a result, they passed a subsequent inspection and did not get shut down due to mice. However, the impact on the eatery’s reputation will likely take time to correct.

A year prior, Baltimore’s health department shut down a downtown restaurant because of mice. A food blogger recorded their experience visiting the eatery. Within minutes of being seated, they saw several live mice. After uploading the video onto a popular social media platform, the city’s health department noticed and took action. The restaurant was immediately shut down and tasked with correcting violations and passing a re-inspection. 

Effective Strategies to Manage and Prevent Mice Infestations 

A proactive approach is critical. Focusing on prevention and taking all necessary steps to remain compliant with health codes requires an investment of time and money. It’s essential to train staff and potentially invest in commercial exclusion systems, which provide a long-term, chemical-free barrier to protect vulnerable areas.

In contrast, a reactive strategy is like taking a “wait and see” approach. The danger of this is once restaurant owners and staff see a mouse, the likelihood of customers seeing one is significant.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Approaches 

Integrated pest management (IPM) focuses on prevention, maintenance, and effective treatments with minimal impact on human and environmental health. It is vital to make the area unattractive to mice by following strict sanitation protocols. Other important steps include storing food properly and promptly making repairs. IPM takes a multi-faceted approach, which includes: 

• Cultural control (making the area less attractive to pests) 
• Physical control (sealing entry points and physically removing them) 
• Chemical control (administering treatments; used typically as a “last resort”) 

Professional Pest Control Solutions 

Partnering with seasoned professionals with expertise in commercial services and restaurant pest control can make all the difference. Working with the right company can help ensure restaurants prevent infestations and catch potential problems early thanks to regular inspections. It’s also an effective strategy to remain compliant with health codes and maintain a healthy, thriving restaurant business.

Maintaining Compliance and Preventing Future Infestations 

Correcting the issues and putting measures in place to prevent any future infestations or health code violations is an excellent starting point. Recovery hinges on the restaurant’s ability to pass re-inspection and begin rebuilding its image.

Regular Inspections and Staff Training 

Read up on all the health inspection criteria for restaurants and create a checklist to ensure every point is accounted for on a go-forth basis. Likewise, implement routine inspections to catch any potential areas the restaurant may need to address before it becomes a widespread issue.

Staff training regarding personal hygiene (handwashing, etc.), food storage, sanitation, and restaurant operating procedures is crucial. New hires should receive thorough training, and all staff should receive periodic refreshers. Consider investing in ServSafe training and certification to maintain the highest-level standards possible.

Creating a Pest Control Plan 

The goal is no more mice, rats, or other pests. Your restaurant may not recover from a second health department shutdown.

Having a comprehensive pest control plan in place is important. It not only ensures you are taking all preventative steps possible, but also ensures regular monitoring and inspections to catch issues before they become violations.

Recovery and Rebuilding Trust After an Infestation 

An industry survey revealed that restaurants with pests, including mice, will likely lose some loyal and potential customers. More than half of diners will report the experience on the internet. Additionally, 76 percent of survey respondents indicated they would never return. Rebuilding trust with customers and the community is essential to moving forward and becoming a flourishing business again.

Steps to Reopen After Closure 

Dealing with mice infestations in restaurants can be serious, and how you respond can make or break the future of the establishment. Some steps to take include: 

• Review the inspector’s report and create an action plan 
• Address the violations immediately to eliminate mice and any other issues inspectors uncovered 
• Train (and periodically retrain) staff to ensure everyone understands standard operating procedures 
• Implement best practices to prevent future infestations and begin rebuilding employee and customer trust

Rebuilding Customer Trust 

Rebuilding trust takes time. It begins by taking accountability, being honest and forthright, and letting customers know about the restaurant’s steps to fix the problem. Continue working toward staying inspection-ready, including working with a professional pest control company.

Contact Catseye Pest Control to Help Your Restaurant Stay Mice Free 

Can a restaurant get shut down for mice? The short answer is yes. Restaurants have a heavy responsibility to maintain a safe environment that reduces the risk of foodborne illnesses. Protect your customers, employees, and business by partnering with industry-leading experts. Catseye Pest Control has decades of experience and expertise in commercial pest control and using IPM to keep restaurants pest-free. Contact us today to learn more or to schedule a free inspection to get started.

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