[Pest Management] Food Processing Without the Pests

As any food processing plant quality assurance manager knows, pest control is an ongoing and laborious process. Whether your company hires outside professionals or has a well-trained in-house technician, being proactive, keeping up on the latest pest control solutions, and knowing how to properly apply product will go a long way to ensuring a pest-free facility, which means happier employees and a satisfied FDA representative.

WHICH WAY TO GO? Effective pest management requires experience, knowledge of pest habits, proper equipment, and innovative technology, including insecticides. If you decide to take the route of bringing in a professional, do a little research and find out if they already treat food processing plants, indicating they already possess knowledge of these environments. QA managers should always try and obtain at least three estimates from different companies before signing a contract for service.

If you do the work yourself, be sure to stay up to speed on proper usage techniques and the latest technology. Attending training seminars or requesting training material from the National Pest Management Association or product manufacturers will keep you at the top of your game. As pests are part of the landscape, the amount of attention required to keep food processing plants pest free can be much more extensive than other commercial accounts. And because of conditions such as damp areas and readily accessible nourishment, pests are a constant issue.

ONE PMP’S STORY. Jason Johnson, a board certified entomologist and general manager of Adam’s Exterminating Co. in Dallas, Texas is a pest management professional who has experience with how bad pest situations in food processing plants can get. "I can think of one situation, in particular; when we first went into this pet food processing plant, the cockroach problem was pretty substantial," says Johnson. "Certain areas were especially bad because of the constant dampness."

Additionally, these environments are often times the most challenging from a pest management perspective due to the 24/7 nature of the business and the acres of land most plants cover. For a pest management professional, most jobs take a few hours, but when it comes to food processing plants, treatment can last an entire day.

Luckily for pest management professionals and QA managers alike, product innovations have come a long way, especially when treating moist environments. "Although we’ve always had food processing plants as customers, we didn’t always have the most efficient way to treat them," says Johnson.

Recently, however, Johnson started using DeltaDust®, the only waterproof insecticide dust on the market. With the recent addition of "commercial food handling establishments" to its label, pest management professionals and in-house technicians can now use it in food processing plants, even in drains. "In one situation, we used DeltaDust on American and Oriental cockroaches," says Johnson. "We applied the dust in cracks and crevices, around drains, and pretty much anywhere it was moist or damp, which is a favorite hiding place for cockroaches. This product is really great around moisture," adds Johnson.

Most QA managers agree that employees are happier and thus more productive if the pests are gone. The product proved effective and "they appreciated that there was no odor, which we have come to realize is a very important consideration in environments where employees work in close proximity to the treatments," Johnson says.

KEEPING PESTS IN CHECK. In order to assure pests are kept under control, Johnson and his crew visit their food processing plant customers every four to five weeks. "The typical program for our food processing clients is a monthly service to check up and see what’s happening," says Johnson. "We always like to know what’s going on with the pests, and always want to know if there are any problems." But in the time between visits, Johnson is always sure to leave managers with techniques they should use themselves.

"As anyone working in the plant knows, just because the roaches are gone after we leave, does not mean employees can get lax about doing things to prevent them from coming back," says Johnson. "I always emphasize sanitation practices and exclusion work to my customers, which includes repairing cracks and sealing up holes. If you take care of their entrances, it’s obviously harder for them to gain access again."

For QA managers it means making sure all visible entry points are sealed tight and floors are constantly sanitized. Traps may also be necessary and employees should maintain a record of structural deficiencies and pest sightings, which should be addressed in a timely manner.

DUSTING TIPS. Here are a number of dusting tips to help control unwanted pests.

Light, barely visible deposits of dust are the most effective application method. As Bayer’s Joe Barile says, "If it’s white, it’s not right." Avoid applying heavy, large clumps of dusts on to surfaces or into voids.

• To apply insecticide directly into cracks and crevices, use a bulbous duster or other suitable equipment. Apply lightly and uniformly to the infested area. Pay particular attention to: cracks and crevices, service ducts, floors and ceilings, wall voids, around electrical and telephone fittings and equipment, around water and sewer pipes, under and behind cabinets, refrigerators and sinks, around windows and door frames, along baseboards, and crawl spaces. The amount to be applied will vary with the site but usually should be in the range of 2-3 grams of dust per square yard (or 0.5 lbs per 1,000 square feet).

• When applying, the duster should be filled only halfway – no more than two-thirds full. This allows for adequate air space to create the desired air/dust mixture prior to application.

• Between each squeeze, the duster should be shaken to get dust floating inside the unit.

• When applying dust into cracks and on surfaces, gently squeeze the duster to ensure the application of very thin layers of dust. When dusting correctly, you should barely be able to see the dust emerging from the tip of the duster.

• Before relaxing your grip on the duster, pull it away from the surface or crack you are treating to prevent sucking up lint, moisture or debris.

• Place several pebbles or small ball bearings in your duster to keep the dust agitated and ensure that any clumps are broken up prior to application. Also, always keep the screen inside the duster in place to help maintain a fine dust consistency.

• When treating around electrical outlets, use dusters fitted with plastic or fiberglass spouts, or place a small section of rubber hose or plastic tubing over the metal tip to avoid contacting electrical wires. These tubes will also enable you to reach around corners and beneath cabinet voids that would otherwise be impossible to treat.

• Carry a small brush and a damp cloth. These can be used in the event that dust accidentally drifts out of cracks and crevices and onto non-target areas.

• Apply dust carefully and judiciously so it does not travel to areas where it might represent a hazard. Prevent food contamination by not applying dust to where it could filter down onto food or food areas after it is applied. Also, be aware of any air currents that could transfer dust to containers or other objects.

• If you apply any kind of dust for extended periods of time, wear a respirator approved by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

• When storing hand dusters, place them in airtight containers or in zip-style plastic bags.

• In general, do not place the tip of the duster in a moist location or allow the duster to sit in moist environments as it will absorb water and become clogged.

• Finally, always follow the label when using insecticides. QA

The author is the Maxforce business manager for Bayer Environmental Science.