Clark Pest Control Upgrades Processor’s Pest Management Program

Clark Pest Control (Lodi, CA), a Food Protection Alliance member, received a request to upgrade a food processor’s pest management program. The PCO at one of the processor’s California facilities had failed two Silliker Audits within 60 days. Clark needed to prove it could replace that PCO efficiently, effectively and quickly, meeting the processor’s timeline and achieving successful audit compliance.

During the month of April, employees first observed evidence of rodent activity, which they reported to supervisors and managers. By the time the previous PCO began to respond, the facility was in the throes of a full-fledged rodent infestation. Beginning May 4, 2010, a trapping program to alleviate the rodent problem was put in place. The infestation was occurring in areas already noted for trouble, but the previous PCO had quit monitoring due to lack of activity. Later, it came to light that the previous PCO had stopped monitoring due to a fumigation service it performed at the end of May 2009.

On May 12, 2010, the processor’s national QA person contacted Clark Pest Control to determine how quickly we could begin the pest control service, and whether we would be able to navigate the transition, given the facility’s current rodent infestation and a pending SQF / Silliker audit on June 8, 2010. We responded that our equipment could be installed within 48 hours of commencement of service, that we simultaneously would install a rodent elimination protocol, and we would be audit-ready by June 4, 2010.

Knowing that there had been a disconnect between the previous PC company and the facility’s local management, we suggested weekly teleconferences for the initial six weeks. This upgrade in communication was welcomed by all, and was instrumental in achieving desired results. Participants included the food processor’s QA manager, management personnel from the California facility and Clark Pest Control’s management and QA team. The purpose of the teleconference was to discuss the progress of the installation, ongoing infestation control, and the cooperation level of the local sanitation and maintenance departments.

The initial installation of our device configuration began May 17, 2010. Five technicians and a supervisor handled the removal of the existing equipment and installation of Clark Pest Control devices: 145 external devices, 168 interior devices, and 26 pheromone and kairomone traps monitoring Indian Meal Moth and Red Flour Beetle. Simultaneously a three-person team: Dominique Sauvage, Commercial Food Safety; Greg Ingram, Corporate QA Manager; and Dana DeMoulin, Corporate Sales, began inspecting the rodent infestation.

The previous PC Company had begun a trapping protocol in three areas of the facility. Our team discovered they were using peanut butter as an attractant which is an unapproved allergen within Clark Pest Control Upgrades Processor’s Pest Management Program Bakery. We removed their devices and installed traps in the three existing trapping areas. During our inspection we identified nine additional areas of infestation and installed trapping devices.

All of our activities regarding the rodent infestation were documented and reported during the weekly conference call. Trend analysis data with respect to rodent catches was compiled and our ongoing activities were adjusted according to activity. In short order, we had control over the infestation and reduced our service from every third day to weekly inspections concurrent with the regular pest control service. Of the 12 infestation areas, we established seven Inspection Zones, each identified by a placard with barcode labels located within each IZ area requiring the technician to inspect and report at each weekly service. We will not allow the potential of any large-scale infestation to exist.

To increase the communication between all departments within the facility we installed 10 Pest Sighting Logs each with barcode labels. In addition we held a one-hour rodent training session which included each department manager and supervisors.

On June 8, 2010, we participated in the pest control portion of the Silliker audit. Due to the condition left by the previous PCO, the national QA manager was in attendance along with all local department managers. We reviewed all of our documentation with the auditor and sufficiently answered all of their questions. The SQF and Silliker standards were all met and no pest control related issues were noted.

As a result of our performance we were invited by the national QA person to “demonstrate your pest control management excellence” at a future corporate QA meeting. She went on to say that she was impressed by our team’s efforts and wanted to expose Clark/FPA to more sites for greater impact within their organization.

This success story was made possible only by the strength of our Food Protection Alliance. The credibility established by our alliance partner FSS coupled with our ability to ensure an equal level of service gave us the opportunity to exhibit our complete professional capabilities and leverage technology to enhance communications to a level that many would envy.

Talking about value with a customer is one thing, proving it is something else.

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FPA is an organization of regional companies formally organized to provide Pest Management/Food Safety/ Fumigation/Alternatives and Fumigation & Product sales throughout North America. 1-877-FPA(372)-3334.