Supermarket Pest Control

EcoGuard knows firsthand how impactful maintaining a pest free grocery store can be for a business’s reputation and revenue. Even the smallest pest issue can cause big problems as word of bug contamination can go viral with today’s social media. Our licensed and trained technicians provide pest control for supermarkets and can help create a custom plan that uses integrated pest management (IPM) to cater to your specific bug needs. Our services use the highest quality ecofriendly pesticides that are proven to be effective. Call today to schedule an appointment for an inspection!

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Importance of Pest Control at the Supermarket

Seeing pest activity at the supermarket is almost inevitable given the amount of food resources available to different bugs and rodents. This is why food retail businesses are extremely vulnerable and require a high level of pest management to ensure the highest standard of safety and health are met.



The need for pest control in supermarkets has never been more critical as bugs and rodents can pose serious threats to consumers. When it comes to food retailers, pest can be responsible for:

  • Food contamination by introducing disease, bacteria, germs, viruses, and other pathogens
  • Pests can be found in final product which can then reach end consumer
  • Rodents and bugs can cause extensive damage to equipment and property if left unchecked
  • Damage to reputation if word of contamination is exposed
  • Potential fines & closure for severe cases

Supermarket Pest Services

EcoGuard uses an integrated pest management (IPM) approach that unifies proactive preventative measures with reactive treatment strategies to combat existing and future bugs with the least environmental impact possible. This combination allows us to implement a plan that will keep pests out of your facility after any initial problems have been addressed. Call today for a free estimate 866-326-2847

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Common Supermarket Pests

Pests that are found in the food industry can be catastrophic to a business because they are all vectors for disease. Each pest type introduces several types of pathogens that can contaminate food products that will end up in the hands of consumers. Contamination can lead to product recalls, outbreaks in sickness, declines in reputation, penalties, and even closure if deemed severe enough. It is imperative to maintaining business that incidents that involve these pests are prevented all together and treated immediately if identified.


The most common pest types in supermarkets are generally:

  • Rodents – Rats & mice are extremely clever and are known to be able to destroy an entire store’s food supply in short time if not managed properly.
  • Cockroaches & ants – These invasive pests are some of the most persistent pests that can be difficult to eradicate after they have already infested an area.
  • Pantry Pests – Weevils & Indian meal moths are both pests that can get passed onto individual retailers. This can negatively impact the business if they infest the stores’ supply of grains, pastas, and cereals.
  • Flies – The number of fruits that are out on display make combatting fruit flies an on-going issue. Fresh produce will have to be cycled in to ensure that overripe fruit doesn’t stay on shelves long enough to attract fruit flies.

Where in Grocery Stores Will You Find Pests

There are so many places in a grocery store for pest to find a comfortable home. Ideally, it will be somewhere that goes undisturbed which shouldn’t be difficult to find given the number of shelving units, storage rooms, and food prep & display areas there are. Be sure to be vigilant in commonly overlooked areas like:

  • Employee break areas
  • Employee locker areas
  • Butcher department
  • Bakery
  • Loading docks
  • Trash disposal areas
  • Produce
  • Entrances & exits
  • Under display cases
  • Under appliances

Early detection is the most critical element of successful pest control. Knowing which signs to look for is the most important part of being able to report incidents of pest activity. 

How to Help Keep Pest Populations Under Control

Supermarket managers are generally responsible for ensuring the cleanliness and maintenance of a grocery store. It is recommended that they use some sort of prevention checklist to minimize the possibility of a future pest infestation.


A few key steps that can be taken to prevent future bug outbreaks are:

  • Exclusion – Most bugs and rodents find their way in via access points into a facility. Knowing where to look for these access points and then sealing them properly to prevent easy access is the most effective method of pest prevention.
  • Sanitation – Next to exclusion, keeping and area clean and sanitized ensures that an area is clear of trash and debris that may be used as food sources for a growing pest population.
  • Waste disposal – Ensuring that proper protocols designed to minimize pest activity where trash accumulates is important. Using sealed containers and ensuring that trash areas are kept clean will help reduce the amount of exposed waste that pests are attracted to.
  • Regular inspection – Ensuring that constant monitoring of potential harborage points will ensure that pest activity is caught immediately.
  • Modifying exterior – Adjusting outside décor and landscaping to move vegetation that may harbor pests away from the building.
  • Product quality control – All final packaged goods should have some level of quality inspection to identify and remove contaminated products. These packages should be linked to specific batches of products so careful examination of similar products can be inspected.
  • Elevating products – Keeping products at least 6 inches off the ground follows standard health and safety protocol.
  • Inspection of deliveries – Incoming packages of produce and grains are potential threats that could already be carrying pests from suppliers. Be sure to be vigilant for pests that sneak in via cardboard packaging and pallets.
  • Breaking down boxes after use – Breaking down cardboard boxes reduces clutter for bugs and rodents to hide and nest in.
  • Maintain regular cleaning schedule – This should help maintain a clean environment while also ensuring that cleaning is held accountable, so it gets done.
  • Clean food prep stations - Keep food prep areas clean and all utensils washed when not in use to reduce food resources for bugs and rodents. This includes grease traps and hard to reach places that might otherwise be overlooked.


Each of the above tips will help maintain a high standard of cleanliness, but even with that the supermarket must be constantly and thoroughly inspected. Regular inspection with specialized pest control services is recommended to ensure a facility meets food safety standards. EcoGuard provides specialized treatment options that are designed to solve supermarket specific pest problems.

What are Stored Product Pests?

Stored product pests are commonly known as pantry pests. They include weevils, Indian mean moths, and different types of beetles. They prefer to consume grains like wheat and barley, but will also be found in corn, beans, rice, and nuts. These insects will usually go unnoticed for some time while populations explode. These pests will use whatever food they find to nest in and will lay eggs which turn from larvae to pupae before maturing into an adult. They eventually continue & repeat the life cycle until the entire container has been completely infested. If the container they have infested is opened, the adults are released to go find new food sources in your pantry to infest.

Grocery Stores & the FSMA

The Food Safety Modernization Act was passed by the FDA in 2011. It created strict guidelines for the supermarket supply chain. In order to combat increasing food related problems, the FSMA decided to shift its focus to prevention of pests and food borne illnesses. This requires food producers and processers to perform regular preventative actions designed to target pests and rodents to mitigate the health impacts they cause. 

Supermarket Pest Control FAQs 

  • How do grocery stores deal with pests?

    There are several supermarket practices that are recommended:

    • Store food 6 inches above the ground
    • Never leave unsealed food out in the open
    • Ensure areas are clean and clear of clutter
    • Check incoming packaging for pests
    • Ensure all gaps and cracks are sealed to prevent pest access


  • How do grocery stores keep ants away?

    Using a mix of vinegar and water is a good way to deter ants from coming into an area. The acidity of the vinegar will kill ants on contact and the smell acts as an effective preventative measure. It also provides the benefit of acting as a disinfectant as well. 

  • Why is pest management important in retail food stores?

    Pests can destroy a business’s reputation especially for any business that serves and handles food. Ensuring that pests are not a problem is important to all supermarkets and grocery stores. 

  • How do grocery stores keep mice away?

    Cleaning up surfaces and floors to ensure there isn’t enough food available for mice is the best way to prevent them. Be sure to sweep and mop daily and ensure that food is packaged and sealed.

Proven Pest Solutions

EcoGuard Pest Management is a leader in pest control innovation & service.

EcoGuard is a professionally licensed pest control corporation servicing California, Oregon, and Washington. We have a dedicated staff of local employees committed to serving and meeting your pest control needs in the most cost efficient and productive way possible. The head of our applications department boasts over forty years of experience in the pest control field. As a locally owned and operated company, we are delighted at the opportunity to earn the business and create lasting relationships with our neighbors.

Why Choose EcoGuard?

EcoGuard approaches each job with integrated pest management (IPM) as our primary focus. IPM is defined by using “Pesticides that pose the least possible hazard and are effective in a manner that minimizes risks to people, property, and the environment, and are used only after careful monitoring indicates they are needed according to pre-established guidelines and treatment thresholds.” Our proximity to the subject property allows us to closely monitor all pest activity and employ the highest standards of IPM available today.

Pesticide Application

All products will be applied in accordance with state and federal pesticide control regulations. At EcoGuard we choose our products very carefully based on environmental impact and human risk, only the finest products will be used on your property. We also offer all natural pest control solutions.

For immediate service for all of your pest control concerns please call 866-326-2847 or complete this form.

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