Pest Control
Pests can contaminate food and transmit severe diseases like Histoplasmosis, which can be a fatal respiratory disease from a fungus growing in dried bird droppings. When pests appear in a food processing plant, infestation can occur in a short period of time if not dealt with immediately. Pest control refers to the reduction or elimination of pests including flies, cockroaches, mice, rats, birds and other insects. Safe, effective, pest control should be a priority in a food processing plant. With a pest control program in place, you can protect your plant from shutdowns and recalls. You can also ensure that the safest possible food is being produced in your plant. Effective pest control requires proper cleaning and sanitation procedures in the food plant.
Pests should not be ignored or taken lightly. If they are found in a food processing plant, adequate measures must be taken immediately. It is important to consider all conditions that can allow pests to enter your facility and help pests survive. For instance, if insects are found in a food storage room, the following actions can be applied: inspect incoming food for insect evidence before storage, store food off the floor, keep the room clean and inspect regularly for insects.
Pest Management Programs
Pest management programs need more than traditional spraying techniques to eliminate pests. Modern pest management programs are designed to allow pest prevention as well as control.
An effective pest management program in a food plant should include:
early detection of pests through monitoring to see if threshold levels have been reached and controls have been effective (thresholds are the levels of pest populations at which action must be taken to prevent unacceptable damage) routine inspection for detection focused on areas where pest are most likely to occur (ex: receiving docks, storage areas, employee break rooms, lockers and potential entry points) identification of the pests to set elimination targets treatments that do not pose a risk to employees or the environment analysis of possible factors that may attract pests (ex: food residue, lack of cleaning) recording pest control monitoring activities to measure efficiency of pest control in case of an audit and to determine areas that need more attention communication and co-operation between staff and pest control providers, employees should report any signs of pests (designated employees should be in charge of pest control communication with the pest control provider)
1) Chemical Pest Control
2) Greener Alternatives
Monitoring before treatment helps identify pests and allows targeted pesticide application to specific areas. New techniques are currently used in pest control programs to help reduce the use of chemical pesticides. They may provide even better results for pest control. Examples of some possible alternatives include:
- Pheromones: These are chemical hormones produced by a living organism that transmit a message to others of the same species. Insect synthetic pheromones for pests can be used to trap and control them by creating confusion, disrupting mating and preventing them from laying eggs.
- Insect Growth Regulators: These are insect juvenile hormones that disrupt the growth and development processes of insects. They can cause sterilization of adult insects. When pests become adults, they are incapable of reproducing and the normal life cycle of pests is disrupted.
- Non-Volatile Baits: A bait containing a non-volatizing pesticide, like boric acid, is very effective in controlling pests and exposes low risk to human health. Baits contain insect or rodent poisons mixed with food. Pests will take some of the food containing the pesticide, and bring it back to the other members of the pest colony.
Building Design and Maintenance to Avoid Pests
Eliminate cracks and crevices in food storage and handling areas with proper construction. Cracks and crevices are ideal areas for insects to breed and hide.- Consider that tight and smooth waterproof surfaces are easy to clean while porous surfaces can shelter insects.
- Doors and windows should fit tightly and must have screens to prevent entry of insects. A good practice is to keep doors closed whenever possible.
- Food containers should be stacked on pallets. Allocate enough space between stacked containers and walls for cleaning and inspection. If possible, follow the 18-inch-rule of sanitation - place pallets 18 inches away from walls and 18 inches off the floor.
- Empty garbage containers at least once per day in a proper disposal site located outside your facility. Ensure outside containers are covered with a lid. Put inside garbage containers in a suitable location and ensure they are large enough to prevent garbage overflow.
- Maintain a routine cleaning schedule in the food processing plant. Spills and accidents should be cleaned right away. Even an hour without proper attention can be enough time to attract pests.
- Food handling and storage areas should be accessible for thorough cleaning. There should be adequate equipment spacing in your facility. Equipment located one or two inches off the floor or less than an inch from the wall is difficult to clean and can be very attractive to cockroaches or other pests.
- Pest infestations are less likely with a sufficiently cleared space around the exterior of the building. The surroundings should be free of debris and stagnant water.
- Roofs and walls must be water proof because all pests need water to survive.
- Proper lighting is important for insect control. Exterior lights should be placed away from the building to discourage insects from swarming near the building.
- Verify that each pest control device is in good repair.
- Rodent traps should be placed against the walls, behind objects and in dark areas. Never place poison baits inside the building. Traps should be spaced approximately 8 meters apart around the interior of the plant and within 3 meters of each exterior door.
- Flying insects can be controlled with light lamps. High voltage light traps electrocute insects and can cause them to explode. Traps should not be placed within nine meters of exposed food or food contact surfaces. Low-voltage traps consist of an attracting light and a replaceable, sticky board. Flying insects are attracted and attached to the sticky board. To remain effective, the board should be replaced frequently.
What to Look for in a Pest Management Provider
When looking for a pest management provider, look for:
Pest management providers must be licensed by the appropriate government agency. A list of licensed pest management providers for Winnipeg and Manitoba can be found at Pest Control Canada.
- Providers should provide full, detailed proposals about the scope of the pest control job that will be done.
- Providers should visit your plant every six months.
- The expected response time to be effective against pests should be indicated.
- Applicable guarantees should be provided.
- Provider should supply reports with details of particular services, chemicals applied, detailed sanitation and structural recommendations to avoid pests and corrective action.
- Trap layout maps of your facility should be provided.
- Lists of approved pesticides to be used should be provided.
- Pest management providers should have rigorous training in pest identification and behavior.
- Providers should give documentation that includes material safety data sheets (MSDS) on products being used.
Pest Facts
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Licensing to Apply Pesticides