Sanitation Measures for Food Processing Facility Pest Management

Pay attention to the processing area. Remove debris and build-up from machinery using an appropriate cleaner that breaks down grease and grime. Look for any moisture leaks from processing lines or fixtures, and make repairs if needed. Monitor and clean drains used to dispose of waste. Accumulations of waste and bio-film provide food for fly larvae.

Outside Your Facility

Place all trash in Dumpsters, and be sure to position them at a distance from the building and have them regularly cleaned and rotated. Eliminate used cardboard cartons or other items that can provide hiding spots for cockroaches, which also feed on the glue that holds boxes together.

Trash receptacles are an instant attraction for pests, because they provide all elements necessary for pest survival. Consider foaming dumpsters with a green cleaner on a frequent basis to remove food waste residues.

Pressure wash the building exterior and sidewalks. Remove any bird droppings, which may carry harmful bacteria. Use appropriate personal protective equipment and take necessary safety precautions when removing these droppings.

Regularly monitor for any cracks or holes in exterior walls and seal openings with weather-resistant sealant.

Pressure wash building exteriors and sidewalks. Remove any bird droppings, which may carry harmful bacteria.

Maintain the perimeter of your building by cutting down any shrubbery or trees that touch exterior walls. The branches from this vegetation can create a bridge for pests to enter your facility and offer harborage areas to rodents and other pests. For further protection, install a 12-inch wide gravel strip at the grade-wall junction to eliminate hiding spots around the perimeter.

Check for poor drainage around your facility. This condition can encourage pest activity. Work with maintenance to clear any drains and remove standing water.

Regularly monitor for cracks or holes in exterior walls, and seal openings with weather-resistant sealant. Incorporate copper mesh or another appropriate backing material to keep rodents from gnawing through. It only takes an opening 1/16 of an inch wide for a cockroach to enter a building, while a rodent can enter your facility through a hole the size of a quarter.

By including your employees and pest management professional in your strategy, you can divide and conquer pests with your facility’s IPM program. This will keep your conveyer belts running smoothly and your products tasting great. Remember, when it comes to sanitation at your facility, it’s always the right time of year for a little spring cleaning.

Patrick Copps is technical services manager for Orkin’s Pacific Division. A board-certified entomologist in urban and industrial entomology, he has more than 35 years’ experience in the industry. For more information, email him at [email protected] or visit OrkinCommercial.com.