Can I use bug zappers in a commercial kitchen?
Not over food prep — FDA Food Code prohibits them. Glue boards in light traps are the compliant alternative.
Why it happens
Bug zappers create an aerosol of insect parts when they electrocute a fly. This mist of fragments can travel a surprising distance and settle on food, prep surfaces, and equipment, creating a contamination risk. This is why their use is restricted in food service areas. Compliant insect light traps use ultraviolet light to attract pests, but capture them silently and intact on a hidden glue board, eliminating the splatter hazard.
What to check
Identify the type of fly to find the source. Fruit flies breed in fermentation sources like damp mop buckets, bar drip trays, and rotting produce. Drain flies breed in the organic film inside floor drains and sink pipes. A thorough cleaning of these areas is the first step. Ensure all floor drains have water in their traps and that any gaps around pipes or under doors are sealed to prevent pest entry from other areas.
When to call a professional
If a persistent fly problem continues after basic sanitation improvements, it is time to call a professional. A specialist can correctly identify the pest, locate less obvious breeding grounds inside wall voids or drain lines, and implement a targeted treatment plan. A recurring infestation often points to a hidden issue that requires specialized tools to diagnose and resolve.
How Luften handles it
Luften addresses fly issues at the source by eliminating their breeding grounds. For drain flies, our technicians apply a foam treatment that coats and removes the organic film inside drain pipes where larvae live. For fruit flies, we help identify and eliminate the fermentation sources they require, such as uncleaned bar mats or mop buckets. These fly control services can be consolidated with drain, grease, and general odor control programs under a single agreement.
Drain odor elimination and drain fly program