Live Rats Nest Found At Econo Lodge During Routine Inspection Prompts Emergency Closure
Sept 16, 2025 -- 08:05pm By: /// TheBlakeMoiaShow.com Staff Report -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Inspections took place at the Econo Lodge in Merritt Island on June 24th & during August 26 & 27, 2025.
- Inspectors found rat and other pest droppings, as well as a live nest behind the ice machine.
- Previously fined 800$ twice in 2024 for numerous violations.
Inspector's Note - From June 24, 2025 - Facility Ordered Temporally Closed Down
- Basic - Accumulation of dead or trapped birds, insects, rodents, or other pests, in control devices. 2 rodents on 2 separate traps in kitchen areas. **Admin Complaint**
- Basic - Outer openings not protected during operation and vermin and/or environmental cross contamination present. Main entry door facing parking
- High Priority - Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed rodent droppings; 6 in service aisle closet 8 in dry storage room 3 in electrical room 5 in room next to employee restroom 5 in dish area 22 in kitchen on shelves and under equipment **Admin Complaint**
- High Priority - Rodent burrow or rodent nesting materials present. Scratched from walls in dish area **Warning**
- High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. In stand up reach in cooler to the right of kitchen entry door milk (53F - Cold Holding); butter packets (72F - Cold Holding)
- High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In stand up reach in cooler to the right of kitchen entry door milk (53F - Cold Holding); butter packets (72F - Cold Holding) SEE STOP SALE
- High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food held using time as a public health control not discarded at the end of the 4-hour/6-hour period. See stop sale. Milk and butter packets
Inspector's Note - August 26, 2025 - Facility Ordered Temporally Closed Down
- Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. In bar area. Large round hole
- Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. Single service plates stored with food contact surface facing upwards
- Basic - Unnecessary items/unused equipment on the premises. Old unused equipment in multiple areas of kitchen
- High Priority - Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed rodent droppings; 9 in dry storage rooms 1 in room between walk in cooler and restroom. 3 in hallways. 5 on countertop next to broken ice machine. 20 in bar areas **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
- High Priority - Rodent burrow or rodent nesting materials present. Behind bar. Pieces of torn paper, cardboard and plastic on the floor in walking area. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
Inspector's Note - August 27, 2025 - Facility Ordered Temporally Closed Down
- Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Unnecessary items/unused equipment on the premises. Old unused equipment in multiple areas of kitchen - From follow-up inspection 2025-08-27: **Time Extended**
- High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed rodent droppings; 9 in dry storage rooms 1 in room between walk in cooler and restroom. 3 in hallways. 5 on countertop next to broken ice machine. 20 in bar areas **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2025-08-27: Rodent droppings observed; 12 under equipment in kitchen. 2 in dry storage. 7 in bar areas **Admin Complaint**
Inspector's Note
- Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Unnecessary items/unused equipment on the premises. Old unused equipment in multiple areas of kitchen - From follow-up inspection 2025-08-27: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2025-08-27: **Time Extended**
