Failure to Maintain Effective Pest Control in Kitchen
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain an effective pest control program, resulting in the presence of gnats and rodent droppings in the kitchen over multiple days. Observations included pest droppings in all three sections of a nonfunctioning dishwashing sink, another nonfunctioning sink, and on the floor beneath that sink. Five gnats were observed in a nonfunctioning hand washing sink near the dishwasher. Multiple staff interviews confirmed repeated sightings of rats and mice in the kitchen and pantry, with one staff member reporting that bread had to be stored in the freezer due to rodents eating through packaging. Staff also reported that rodents had been caught in traps and that gnats were present throughout the kitchen. The Maintenance Director stated that the rodent issue began after concrete was broken up on the back patio and had been addressed with sticky bait, but he was unaware of ongoing sightings in the kitchen. Pest control services were documented as occurring twice per month, with logs indicating recent captures of mice and fruit flies. The Administrator acknowledged the presence of pest droppings and stated that kitchen cleaning was the responsibility of the dietary manager, but was unsure when the droppings were last cleaned. The facility's pest control policy emphasized frequent treatment and monitoring, but the observed conditions and staff reports indicated that the kitchen was not being maintained free of pests.