What the law requires
Food hygiene law in England requires food businesses to have adequate procedures in place to control pests, and to keep premises, equipment and food protected from contamination. The core requirements come from the retained food hygiene regulations and the Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013, enforced by local authority Environmental Health Officers. In practice, that means:
- Keeping pests out through proofing and good maintenance
- Preventing conditions that attract pests, through cleaning and waste management
- Monitoring for signs of pests
- Acting promptly and effectively if pests are found
- Keeping records that show what you do
What inspectors look for
- Signs of pests: droppings, gnaw marks, live or dead insects, nests
- Gaps around pipes, doors and windows, and missing fly screens where needed
- Cleanliness behind and under equipment, in stores and in bin areas
- Stock storage off the floor and in sealed containers
- Evidence of a pest control system, such as visit reports, monitoring records and staff awareness
Food hygiene ratings
Pest problems affect the "cleanliness and condition of facilities and building" and "management of food safety" parts of the inspection. A pest problem can lower your rating, and a serious infestation can lead to a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice, which closes the business until the problem is solved.
Practical steps
- Keep doors closed, fit brush strips and repair gaps
- Clean behind and under equipment on a schedule
- Store food off the floor in sealed containers and rotate stock
- Keep bins lidded and empty them regularly
- Check deliveries for signs of pests
- Record pest sightings and actions in your food safety management system
- Use a professional pest controller and keep their reports
See restaurant pest control and pest control contracts.
Questions and answers
Is a pest control contract a legal requirement?
The law requires effective pest control, not a specific contract. A contract is a common way to show you meet the requirement.
Can the council close my business for pests?
Yes. If there is an imminent risk to health, Environmental Health can serve a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice.
What records should I keep?
Pest control visit reports, monitoring results, sightings and what was done, kept with your food safety records.
Related pages
This page is general information, last reviewed on 19 October 2026. It is not a substitute for an on-site inspection.