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Food processing facilities use a variety of strategies to keep pests from causing expensive damage to production tools and inventory.
An in-depth record of pest prevention and discovery allows for a quick response to keep pests from spreading or causing damage to food production tools or inventory. It also allows for accurate preventative maintenance and a cost-effective pest control program.
What Are The Factors to Consider When Choosing a Pest Control Plan
Multiple factors go into choosing a food processing pest control plan. Some factors are universal across all pest control strategies, including:
- Size and location of facilities
- Food safety regulations
- Climate and other environmental issues
- Zoning laws
- Existing pest control strategies
Depending on the facility, pest prevention may include a combination or two or more of the following:
- Pest-prevention tools
- Sanitation programs
- Humane traps
- Exclusion barriers
- Pesticides
- Record-keeping and database management
- Insecticides
- Rodent control
The choice of which food processing pest control strategies to use is influenced by the nature of the pest problem as well as the ability to isolate and segregate the equipment or areas that are infested.
What Are the Pest Control Methods in Food Processing Facilities
The most pest-prone areas of a food plant are storage rooms, stockrooms, and loading docks. These areas provide a food source and shelter for pests. The first line of defense against pests includes physical barriers that prevent pests from entering the facility. These can include things like screen doors for loading docks.
Another important barriers are pest-proof doors. Many pests are small enough to enter through small cracks and crevices. This is why it is important to have pest-proof seals on all doors.
Pest control strategies vary by type of pest. Rats, cockroaches, and other pests that can spread disease or contaminate food products are typically treated with baits and traps. Ants, spiders, and other pests that are attracted to sweets and food odors are typically treated with sprays and liquids.
Chemical pesticides are also sometimes used. Most of these are applied in dilute concentrations, which helps to prevent the development of resistant strains of pests. However, in some cases, such as fire ant control, very high concentrations of chemicals are necessary.
Pests can become resistant to these pesticides. In order to prevent this, a variety of chemicals must be used. Using pesticides in the proper application can help to prevent resistance from developing.
Routine pest control is an important part of a food plant’s pest prevention strategy. Keeping accurate records of pest activity helps in determining whether current pest control methods are effective.
Why Should Food Processing Facilities Conduct Pest Control
Food processing facilities must conduct pest control in order to keep production on schedule.
If a pest outbreak occurs that prevents the facility from producing the expected amounts of food, it can result in significant financial losses. Even a minor pest outbreak can result in costly delays in food production.
In addition to financial losses, a pest outbreak can damage the reputation of a brand. This can result in a loss of profit not only from the factory but from the brand as a whole.
Pest control is also important in order to prevent potential harm to the facility’s employees. Food processing plants may contain hazardous chemicals or other materials that could result in harm if they came in contact with pests. By conducting routine pest control, potential problems can be avoided.
Conclusion
The pest management techniques used in food processing plants are an important part of the overall strategy to keep food safe for shipping and consumption. By conducting routine pest control, food manufacturers can prevent pest outbreaks. When an outbreak does occur, pest management technicians have the skills and experience to quickly identify and eradicate the problem.
RidX Pest Control offers pest control services in Fresno that ensure that your food processing plants stay pest-free. Our dedicated and trained technicians know how to employ a wide range of efficient and effective pest control methods specific to your needs. Let us protect your facility from pests and potential diseases with our pest control services. Contact us today to get started!
