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A study by Excel Pest Services reveals the U.S. cities most vulnerable to restaurant pest problems.
The Restaurant Pest Risk Index analyzed major U.S. cities to identify where restaurant environments may create the most favorable conditions for pest-related concerns and hygiene complaints. Results are based on restaurant density per square mile, average humidity level, and Tripadvisor reviews mentioning terms such as “dirty,” “bugs” and “pests.”
“Restaurant hygiene concerns can have a huge impact on customer trust, particularly now that online reviews and social media make dining experiences more visible than ever before,” said Excel Pest Services’ General Manager Nick Ferrante Jr., ACE.
Seattle, Wash., ranked first on the Restaurant Pest Risk Index, performing highly across humidity levels, restaurant density, pest-related review complaints and restaurant pest-related search behavior. The city recorded one of the highest humidity levels in the study at 80.5 percent, while also maintaining more than 36 restaurants per square mile.
Grand Rapids, Mich., ranked second despite having a smaller hospitality footprint than many of the larger cities included within the study. The city recorded high humidity levels alongside relatively strong levels of Tripadvisor reviews mentioning hygiene and pest-related concerns.
Miami, Fla., was third and recorded by far the highest restaurant density in the entire study, with more than 125 restaurants per square mile. The city also recorded one of the highest percentages of Tripadvisor reviews mentioning terms such as “dirty,” “bugs” or “pests.”
“What’s particularly interesting about the findings is that the cities ranking highly aren’t just those with large restaurant scenes, they’re the locations where climate conditions, hospitality density, and customer-reported concerns all overlap,” Ferrante said. “Warm, humid environments combined with busy food establishments can create conditions that are more favorable for pest activity if preventive measures aren’t maintained consistently.”
Las Vegas, Nev., placed 81st despite recording one of the highest restaurant densities in the study, with more than 37 restaurants per square mile. However, the city also recorded the lowest humidity levels analyzed at just 34 percent, which may help explain its comparatively lower overall ranking.
Click here see the full Restaurant Pest Risk Index results.
“In cities where restaurants operate continuously throughout the year, maintaining preventive pest control becomes even more important,” Ferrante said. “High customer turnover, food handling, shared infrastructure and warmer conditions can all increase vulnerability if issues aren’t addressed early.”
About Excel Pest Services
Excel Pest Services is a family-owned pest control company based in River Edge, N.J. Founded in 1991, the company provides residential and commercial pest management across New Jersey and South Florida. It uses environmentally responsible and integrated pest management (IPM) practices to safely eliminate common pests and offers free quotes, same-day service and military discounts.
