Silver Bullet Pest ControlFailed a Health Inspection for Pests? Fast Pest Control for NJ Restaurants
Failed a health inspection for pests, or one coming up? Silver Bullet Pest Control helps restaurants, delis, bakeries, food trucks and grocery and convenience stores across North Jersey clean up roach, mouse, rat and fly problems fast — and gives you the service records an inspector wants to see. Licensed commercial pest control, NJ License 90568B.
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Text us a photo of the inspection report or what you're seeing — we'll tell you the fastest way to fix it.
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What should I do if my restaurant failed a health inspection because of pests?
Call a licensed commercial pest control company the same day, fix the specific pest problems written on the inspection report, and keep the written service records on site to show the inspector at the re-inspection. In New Jersey, local health departments inspect food businesses under the State Retail Food Code and post one of three placards — Satisfactory, Conditionally Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory — and signs of rodents or insects are a common reason for a bad rating. Silver Bullet Pest Control treats the problem, helps you close up gaps and hiding spots, and documents every visit. Health inspection coming up, or just failed one? Call or text 973-510-2585 — same-day service is often available for urgent commercial problems.
New Jersey's three health inspection placards
Local health departments in New Jersey inspect restaurants and retail food businesses under the State Retail Food Code and post one of three placards:
| Placard | What it means | What usually happens next |
|---|---|---|
| Satisfactory | The business was in compliance with the food code at the time of inspection. | Keep doing what you're doing — and keep your pest control records up to date for the next visit. |
| Conditionally Satisfactory | The business was not in substantial compliance. Problems were found that have to be fixed. | A re-inspection follows. Many towns charge a re-inspection fee; the amount depends on the town. |
| Unsatisfactory | Gross unsanitary or unsafe conditions were found. | The inspector may ask the business to stop operating until the problems are corrected. |
Most food businesses get at least one unannounced inspection a year, and evidence of rodents or insects is one of the most common reasons for a bad rating. Your local health department sets the details — fees, re-inspection timing and what it wants to see — so ask your inspector or call the health office in your town if anything on the report isn't clear.
What health inspectors look for when it comes to pests
Inspectors don't need to see a live mouse to write you up. These are the pest-related things they commonly check:
Droppings, Gnaw Marks & Nesting
- Mouse or rat droppings on shelves, in drawers, behind equipment
- Chewed bags, boxes or packaging in dry storage
- Nesting material in corners, ceilings or under equipment
Droppings are the first thing many inspectors look for. Fresh ones mean rodents are active right now, and they're often found under shelves, behind the line and in storage rooms.
Live or Dead Roaches & Flies
- German roaches in gaskets, motor housings, under sinks
- Dead roaches in corners, light fixtures or glue boards
- Fruit flies or drain flies near the bar, drains and trash
Seeing roaches during an inspection is serious. German roaches hide in warm equipment and cracks, so a visible one usually means many more out of sight. Flies point to drains, trash or food left out.
Gaps, Harborage & Storage
- Gaps under back doors and around pipes
- Clutter, cardboard and unused equipment pests can hide in
- Food stored on the floor or in open containers
Inspectors also look at how pests could get in and where they could hide. Gaps around pipes and doors, stacked cardboard and food stored on the floor are all easy write-ups.
Just failed? Our urgent response plan
When an inspection goes badly, the clock starts. Here's how we handle it:
Call or text right away
Call or text 973-510-2585 and send a photo of the inspection report. Same-day commercial service is often available for urgent pest issues.
Inspect what the report found
A licensed technician goes straight to the areas on the report, then checks the rest of the kitchen, storage, drains, trash area and doors.
Treat, clean up & seal
Targeted treatment for roaches, rodents or flies, clear instructions for your staff on cleanup, and sealing of the gaps and hiding spots we find.
Written report for re-inspection
You get a written service report showing what we found, what we did and what we recommend — ready to show the inspector.
Health inspection coming up, or just failed one? Call or text 973-510-2585 — same-day service is often available for urgent commercial problems.
Pre-inspection pest checklist
If an inspection is coming up — or you just want to be ready for an unannounced one — walk through this list with your manager. Anything you can't check off is worth a call.
Kitchen and line
- Pull out equipment you can move and look behind and under it for droppings and dead insects.
- Check door gaskets, motor housings, and the underside of prep tables for roaches and egg cases.
- Clean grease and food buildup from floor-wall joints, under the fryer and around the dish area.
Storage
- Keep food off the floor and in sealed containers.
- Throw out torn bags and chewed packaging, and look nearby for droppings.
- Break down and remove cardboard — roaches hide and breed in it.
Drains, trash and doors
- Clean floor drains and bar drains so fruit flies and drain flies have nowhere to breed.
- Keep dumpster lids closed and the area around them swept.
- Check that back doors close tight with no daylight showing underneath.
- Look for gaps where pipes and wires come through walls.
Paperwork
- Have your pest control service reports from the last several visits in one folder on site.
Pest control records to keep on site
Keep your pest control service records where a manager can hand them over when the inspector asks. A good file includes:
Service reports
Every visit from your pest control company — date, what was found, what was done and where. Keep recent ones together in a binder or folder.
Pest sighting log
A simple sheet where staff write down when and where they saw a pest. It helps your technician find the source and shows the inspector you're paying attention.
Repairs & sealing
Notes on gaps sealed, door sweeps installed or leaks fixed. Fixing what the technician points out shows follow-through.
Your service plan
Your pest control company's name, license number and phone number, plus how often they visit. Ours is NJ License 90568B.
Food businesses we help with inspections
Any business that prepares, stores or sells food can be inspected. We work with:
- Restaurants and take-out spots — German roaches in the line, mice in dry storage, flies at the dish area.
- Delis and bagel shops — slicers, deli cases and bread racks give roaches and mice warm hiding spots.
- Bakeries — flour, sugar and ingredients in bags draw mice and pantry pests.
- Food trucks with a commissary — the commissary where the truck is stored and stocked needs to stay pest-free too, along with the truck itself.
- Grocery, bodega and convenience stores — stockrooms, dairy and beverage coolers, and back doors open for deliveries.
- Stores in strip malls — pests move between units. See strip mall pest control.
We can often schedule service before opening or after close, so treatment doesn't get in the way of business. Hablamos español — many of the kitchen staff we work with prefer it.
How ongoing service prevents repeat problems
A one-time treatment can fix the problem the inspector found. Staying off the inspector's list takes regular service, because new pests keep coming in with deliveries, through back doors and from the businesses next door.
With a regular service plan, a technician checks the same trouble spots on a schedule, catches problems while they're small, keeps sealing new gaps, and leaves a written report each time — so your records are always current when an inspector walks in unannounced.
Our roach treatment comes with a 90-day warranty, our mice and rodent service includes 90 days of coverage with unlimited free service calls, and regular service is backed by our 100% satisfaction guarantee. For the full details of our commercial program, see commercial pest control in New Jersey.
Related pages for food businesses
Get Help Before (or After) the Inspection
Tell us your business, the address and what the inspector found — or when the inspection is. We'll tell you how fast we can be there.
Why food businesses call us
- Conditionally Satisfactory placard and a re-inspection coming
- Roaches seen in the kitchen during service
- Mouse droppings in dry storage
- Fruit flies or drain flies around the bar and drains
- Need written pest control records before an inspection
Request Service
🔒 Your info stays private · Hablamos español.
Health Inspection & Pest Control FAQ
What happens if a restaurant fails a health inspection in NJ?
With a Conditionally Satisfactory placard, problems must be fixed and a re-inspection follows. With an Unsatisfactory placard, the inspector may ask the business to stop operating until the problems are corrected.
Do I have to pay for a re-inspection?
Many New Jersey towns charge a re-inspection fee, but the amount depends on the town. Ask your local health department.
Can you come the same day after a failed inspection?
Same-day commercial service is often available for urgent pest issues. Call or text 973-510-2585 as soon as you get the report.
What pest problems do inspectors write up most?
Rodent droppings, live or dead roaches, flies, gaps where pests can get in, clutter where they can hide, and food stored on the floor or in open containers.
Do I need to keep pest control records for the health inspector?
Yes, keep your pest control service records on site. They show the inspector you have a licensed company treating the business on a schedule.
How often are restaurants inspected in New Jersey?
Food businesses typically get at least one unannounced inspection a year, and more if there's a complaint or a re-inspection.
Can you treat without closing my restaurant?
Usually, yes — we can often schedule around your hours, before opening or after close. Your technician will tell you if any area needs to stay empty for a while after treatment.
Do you have a warranty on roach treatment?
Yes. Roach treatment from Silver Bullet Pest Control comes with a 90-day warranty.
Do you work with food trucks?
Yes. We treat the commissary where the truck is stored and stocked, and can check the truck itself for roaches and other pests.
Are you licensed for commercial pest control?
Yes. Silver Bullet Pest Control is a licensed New Jersey pest control company, NJ Pesticide License 90568B, with over 15 years of experience.
¿Hablan español para dueños de restaurantes?
Sí. Hablamos español. Llame o mande texto al 973-510-2585 o vea nuestra página sobre inspecciones de salud en español.
Serving food businesses across North Jersey
Based in Garfield, we help restaurants and food stores in these towns and across Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson counties.
Updated November 2026 by the Silver Bullet Pest Control team, Garfield, NJ • NJ License 90568B