Common problems in takeaways and cafés
- Mice behind fryers, fridges and counters, and in the void under the shopfront
- Rats around rear yards and commercial bins, especially where bags are left out overnight
- German cockroaches in warm equipment, wall tiles and electrical boxes
- Flies drawn by food waste, oil and open back doors in summer
High street challenges
Takeaways on South London high streets, from Rye Lane and the Walworth Road to Lewisham High Street and Powis Street, usually share walls, floors and roof spaces with neighbouring shops and flats. Pests move between them. We look for the routes between units as well as inside your shop, and can talk to your landlord about the building as a whole.
Our approach
- Quick inspection of the kitchen, counter, storage and rear yard
- Targeted treatment: bait stations and traps for rodents, gel baits and insecticide in cracks and voids for cockroaches
- Proofing gaps behind equipment, around pipes and under doors
- Waste and cleaning advice: closing times, bin lids, grease build-up and deliveries
- A visit report for your records
Protect your food hygiene rating
A visible pest problem is one of the quickest ways to lose stars on your food hygiene rating. Regular monitoring visits mean early signs are spotted and dealt with before an inspection. See pest control contracts.
Questions and answers
Can you come outside opening hours?
Ask when you book. We will try to fit treatment around your opening times.
How quickly do cockroach treatments work?
Gel baits start to reduce numbers within days, but cockroach eggs hatch later, so follow-up visits are needed to clear an infestation.
Do we need to close?
Usually not for routine treatment. We will tell you if a particular treatment needs an area to be closed for a time.
Related pages
This page is general information, last reviewed on 19 October 2026. It is not a substitute for an on-site inspection.