Pest control checks in a kitchen: a daily walk-round
By the Daybook teamPublished 20 October 2026Last checked 20 October 2026
Covers: All four UK nations, with differences noted
The short answer
Walk the kitchen, stores and bin area every day looking for droppings, gnawing, insects and gaps where pests could get in. Record what you found, and if you see signs of pests, stop using affected food and areas and call your pest contractor.
What to look for
- Droppings, urine marks or greasy smears along walls
- Gnawed packaging, food, cables or woodwork
- Live or dead insects, flies or larvae
- Nesting material, holes or gaps around pipes
- Fly screens torn, doors left open
- Food stored on the floor or in open packs
Prevention
- Keep waste in sealed containers and remove it from food rooms quickly
- Store food off the floor, in sealed containers
- Keep doors and windows closed or screened
- Clean up spills straight away
- Seal gaps around pipes and cables
If you find signs
- Stop using affected food and throw it away
- Close off and clean the affected area
- Call your pest contractor
- Write down what you found and what you did
A serious and immediate risk to health can lead to a business being closed. Your local authority’s food safety team can advise.
Contractor visits
Keep every contractor report with your records. In Daybook, Pest Control is a daily check, and Pest Contractor records each visit and what was found.
Free template
Pest control checklist (PDF)
Sources
Rules can change and differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Check with your local authority food safety team if you’re unsure. Daybook helps you keep records. It does not give legal advice or certify training.
Keep this record on your phone
Cleaning and pest control, signed and dated.
Daybook is the food safety diary for UK kitchens. Staff sign each check on their own iPhone; the office reads the week and makes an inspection record for any dates.