How to Rid Yourself of the Common Pest and its Pathogens

First and foremost, manufacturers should seal all unnecessary openings around the building’s exterior, concentrating on exterior points of entry – utility penetrations, doors, windows and rooftop HVAC units. Mice can squeeze through holes as small as a dime, and rats only need a hole the size of a quarter to enter a building.

Since rodents feel vulnerable out in the open, trimming back the vegetation from the building and installing a 30-inch wide gravel strip around the exterior can discourage them from ever approaching the facility.

In addition, third-party auditors require facilities to implement exterior baiting and interior trapping programs to control rodents. On the exterior, tamper-resistant bait stations should be placed at set intervals around the perimeter of the facility, while glue boards and traps should be strategically placed around the interior. Each third-party auditor has different requirements for the placement of these devices, so manufacturers should work with a pest management professional to ensure they adhere to the auditor’s guidelines.

Squash Cockroaches’ Dreams

The steps taken to prevent rodents from entering the building – sealing exterior openings and installing a gravel buffer – also will help prevent cockroach entry. Cockroaches can fit through openings as small as one-sixteenth of an inch, and the gravel strip acts as an obstacle to the crawling insects.

Inside the facility, glue boards and non-volatile baits can help control cockroaches. Glue boards trap the pests and are a useful device to help monitor the cockroach population’s activity over time.

Though non-volatile baits include chemicals, they are preferred over spray pesticides because they do not become airborne. Nevertheless, they should not be used in areas that could threaten food safety. Non-volatile gel baits can be injected into cracks and crevices, minimizing the likelihood that humans and products could come in contact with them.

The bottom line is whether they fly or scurry, pests are unwelcome in food manufacturing facilities. Manufacturers and pest management professionals should work together as part of an ongoing IPM partnership to prevent flies, rodents and cockroaches from posing threats to food safety. Commitment from both sides will help take pests out of the facility and food borne illness concerns off the table.

Dr. Zia Siddiqi is quality assurance director for Orkin, Inc. A Board Certified Entomologist with more than 30 years experience in the industry, Dr. Siddiqi is an acknowledged leader in the field of pest management. Reach him at [email protected].