FOR RESTAURANT WORKERS: Are roaches at a restaurant normal/common?

Question

I just started waitressing again after 10 years away. Yesterday I killed a few roaches in the kitchen. Everyone there is used to this and acts like it's "just part of the job". Are roaches in a restaurant kitchen more common than I think/or ever knew?

Yes! I know it's appalling. I'm not an idiot! And of course, if I had a roach in my pie I'd freak out and NOT call it normal. I think that the average person who eats out and who has NEVER worked in a restaurant would be appalled at a lot that goes on in a restaurant kitchen. Generally speaking, roaches or not, restaurant kitchens are less than clean by "at home" standards. But what you don't know can't hurt you, right?

Answer 1

Roaches have been around for literally millions of years. They are resilient, hardy little insects. Commercial kitchens provide ideal living and breeding grounds, what with all the grease, food, heat, and the nooks and crannies created by the cabinets and equipment. A roach is happiest when it is in between two surfaces .. like the back splash of a sink and the wall.

Keeping roaches in control is one of the most important aspects of good restaurant management. Ask any Health Inspector (and if they are running around in broad daylight, your health inspector has a good chance of hearing about it and visiting your job unexpectedly.)

The problem isn't just cleanliness (although that certainly helps) or pest control (equally important, especially because of the Public Health concerns), but rather the way that roaches re-enter a building AFTER they have been successfully eliminated: Roaches also thrive in the hollows made when heavy paper is formed into corrugated cardboard boxes. Each time supplies are delivered to your stock room, there is almost a 100% garuntee of more roach eggs. This is why an ongoing commercial pest control program is vital. Over-the counter roach chemicals are not as effective as those only available by professionals. Plus, professionals are trained to be aware of proper chemical applications, doses, breeding habits, and other concerns that would not normally be common knowledge.

I say all that just to say this : Roaches ARE common, but they are also controllable, and your co-workers and management have allowed a lower standard for themselves and the restaraunt then your local Health Department would approve of. As a "new" employee, you may want to address your concerns to your supervisor. Be sure to use non-threatening phrases when discussing issues that others may be sensitive to, or react emotionally about. The words "Vermin" and "health Inspector" could well be received badly by your bosses, but your concerns are valid non-the-less. Best of luck to you.

Answer 2

Roaches In Restaurants

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
FOR RESTAURANT WORKERS: Are roaches at a restaurant normal/common?
I just started waitressing again after 10 years away. Yesterday I killed a few roaches in the kitchen. Everyone there is used to this and acts like it's "just part of the job". Are roaches in a restaurant kitchen more common than I think/or ever knew?

Answer 4

It's disgusting but not uncommon. Roaches are hard to ward off too. They are attracted by the food and will eat almost anything. Spraying the restaurant means closing down for a few days to do it, and someone's bound to ask why its closed. You don't want to tell your customers you have roaches. They wouldn't want to come back, but to simply answer your question Yes, most restaurants have some form of pest.

Answer 5

Roaches are normal as far as them coming in shipments that come in not to mention the garbage at any busy restaurant BUT if the employees are acting as if they are seeing them on a normal basis then the board of health should be called. Any place I've ever worked had a thing called " bugs burger ", monthly in the evening everything was covered and in the am before business a hired company would come in and spray to avoid any pests. You can't avoid now and again seeing one but consist.... don't want to work nor eat there!

Answer 6

I think it depends upon a few conditions.

Old buildings and dirty conditions.

The restaurant can't do anything about being in an old building, but they are in control of hiring exterminators and cleanliness.

For roaches to be roaming around the kitchen, I'm tempted to say the restaurant you work at is not keeping up.

Answer 7

I have worked in the restaurant business for years, Working in over 12 different establishments in 35 years..Every single place had roaches and every single place had exterminators come in on a weekly basis to control the little buggers..They will never go away as long as supplies are coming in from vendors..Enjoy your lunch and dinner folks

Answer 8

I spent several years in the restaurant business and not it is not common, nor acceptable at any level. The health department should be notified if management is not doing anything. An exterminator should be a regular at restaurants to control any and all pests.

Answer 9

No! That's appalling. For you to question whether it is common or not is stupid. If you were a customer in a restaurant and a cockroach was in your pie or something would you just think "oh it's ok, most places have roaches roaming around like vermin in there kitchen so I can't complain!" No? Didn't think so!

You should report this place to health and hygiene services!

Answer 10

Unfortunately, common yes, but normal, definitely NO! It's a sign of dirty conditions!