Pest Control 22 Dec 07 What do

Pest Control 22 Dec 07

What do pests do? Pests can: l Contaminate food (droppings bacteria)* l Spoil food by eating part of it l Carry disease 22 Dec 07 2

Main types of pests l Insects l l l Rodents l l l Mice (field / house) Rats (roof / Norway) Birds l l Flying (adult moths / flies & larvae) Crawling (beetles / weevils / cockroaches) Pigeons / crows / starlings / gulls Other mammals l 22 Dec 07 Skunks / raccoons / cats & dogs 3

Control methods Need to determine: l What mix of pests are present? l What attracts the pest? l What are the particular habits of the pest? l What are the most effective control measures to control or eliminate the pest? 22 Dec 07 4

Effective pest control An effective pest control program includes: l Exclusion of pests l Removing food sources by good practices l Controlling pests with appropriate methods l Specific procedures / records 22 Dec 07 5

Pest exclusion l Keep doors closed / tight fitting l l l l Minimize gaps Use door seals / self closers Keep windows screened / closed Screen air inlets / exhaust openings Use air curtains / strip curtains Netting / eliminate perches for birds Eliminate cracks / holes in walls l l 22 Dec 07 Small cracks harbor insects New construction often creates spaces 6

Good Housekeeping l Garbage & spoiled product: clean up l Raw product: bring in “hitch-hikers” l Garbage containers: clean and closed l Building perimeter: remove vegetation / clean / slope away from building l Process eqpt: clean daily after use / clean under / take apart / vacuum electrical 22 Dec 07 7

Pest infestation checks l Watch for droppings / tracks Indicate type of pest present l May lead to entry points / nests l l Watch l Indicate type of pests present l Note l 22 Dec 07 for product or container damage presence of dead pests Baits are effective 8

Capture or destruction Traps work by: l Attracting the pest l Attractants vary with pest (smell / curiousity) l Confine l the pest Trip mechanisms / sticky pads l Kill the pest Baits (outside plant) l Mechanical levers / electric current l 22 Dec 07 9

Rodent control l Use of bait stations / traps most common l Place traps inside production areas Sticky pads for small rodents l Check & empty weekly (min. ) l l Bait stations in non-food areas Use approved baits only l Place in secured station (seal / lock / strap) l 22 Dec 07 10

Bird control l Eliminate roosts or nesting sites l Minimize food sources outside of bldngs Landscape plants can be attractive l Garbage l l Use netting or screens under eaves or structures open to outside 22 Dec 07 11

Insect control l Physical l l Chemical l l 22 Dec 07 UV light attracts insects Mount at right height / location Charged electric grids kill insects Sticky pads hold insects after impact Handle pesticides with care Use only approved chemicals Don’t contaminate food Use correct methods to target pests 12

Working with Contractors l Pest control personnel must be knowledgeable / trained / licensed l Draw up a plan for trap / bait placement l Specify reporting to be done l Hold contractor accountable by verification 22 Dec 07 13

Employees and Pest Control l Don’t leave garbage lying around l Replace traps that are out of place l Place your lunches in designated areas only l Let your supervisor know if you see evidence of pests 22 Dec 07 14