Controlling Pests Requires Staff Participation

In any food processing plant, a pest management program is only as strong as the employees who implement it. To ensure a successful pest management program, the staff should be given training about prevention of pest problems before they occur. Not only does this serve as a low-cost training opportunity in a stressed economy, but it also can save money long-term by preventing pest problems that would require costly remediation.

Many pest management providers will provide value-added staff training on integrated pest management (IPM) as part of their service program. An ongoing pest prevention cycle, IPM focuses on removing conditions that attract pests—food, water and shelter—through non-chemical techniques like sanitation and facility maintenance.

Company staff need to understand the reasons pests are attracted to the facility so they can take an active part in prevention. Many food safety standards, such as Safe Quality Food (SQF), and third-party auditors, such as AIB International, require staff training about the facility’s pest management program.

The pest management provider’s Web site usually offers access to free resources and materials. Pest management is a team effort, and your provider will be grateful for employee support in keeping pests out of your facility.

Be Proactive to Prevent Pests

A facility should implement sanitation and facility maintenance year round. These proactive measures keep a building’s interior clean and the exterior secure from pests and are a great place to start staff training about their roles in pest management. During IPM training, assign roles to staff so that each person is responsible for a portion of the pest management program. Through training, employees can help understand, identify, and prevent conditions that are conducive to pest entry and survival.

Sanitation

• Regularly monitor for standing water that can accumulate in and around the facility. Repair all leaks and damaged insulation as needed. Although mice can get enough water from the food they eat, rats need a small amount of water in their diet to survive.
• Make sure that food in employee break rooms is stored in tightly sealed containers. Dispose of waste regularly to cut down on odor and eliminate another pest food source.
• Floor drains can be a breeding ground for flies. Use an organic cleaner to break down the grease and grime flies love to eat.
• Pay attention to the exterior of the facility to discourage pests from approaching. Hose down or pressure wash surrounding sidewalks and parking lots to remove debris that can attract pests.

Facility Maintenance

• Use weather stripping to minimize gaps around doors and windows. Install plastic strip doors or screen doors, or add a second set of doors, to provide additional protection. Cockroaches only need 1/16 of an inch to squeeze through.
• Inspect the facility for cracks in the exterior, and use a pencil to measure gaps. Make sure to use a weather-resistant sealant to close up any openings the pencil fits into. Rats only need a space the size of a quarter to enter the building, and mice can fit through a hole the size of a dime.
• Use positive airflow—air that flows out of the building—to push pests out the door. To check your facility’s airflow, light a match near an open door. If the flame blows away from the building, the airflow is positive. Work with an HVAC professional to address any airflow concerns.
• Landscaping techniques can also discourage pests. Trim trees and bushes so limbs are at least two feet from the sides of the building or roof. That way, pests can’t climb onto the building, and rodents have no place to hide.