Thus, whether you are building new, modifying existing, or making improvements for pest prevention, “number one is to get a good, complete inspection,” Geiger said. It gives them food, water, and shelter - all in one.” For example, he said, “English ivy is rat heaven. If, on the other hand, you are in an older building, you need to be aware of the attraction that plant life on or near the structure can have for pests. These are a particularly problematic when placed above entryways, he said, explaining,“That’s one place you really don’t want people tracking in bird crap.” Roof overhangs, eaves, and decorative trellises also should be avoided as they are highly attractive to birds. It’s not difficult to seal them, but, he said, it must be done properly. For example, he said, if concrete block is used in construction, the hollow blocks can easily become a highway for rodents. The provider can identify surrounding area issues and make recommendations. “There really is a role for a quality pest management provider doing an inspection at the outset before the building is built,” Geiger said. Sealing gaps around cables and wires will eliminate these exterior pest entry points. While it is simplest to design pest prevention into a facility when it is built, there are a number of techniques that can be applied during facility modifications and expansions, or simply by inspecting the facility for and correcting pest-conducive conditions. “But those simple things can go a long way, even for a small business,” Geiger said.ĭESIGNING IN PREVENTION. In fact, some are very simple and applicable to any building, such as using sealant and steel wool rodent blocking. While various lists of these tactics have been compiled, most have been piecemeal and none have been subjected to rigorous review.” It was for that very reason that this Authoritative Guidelines for Designing Pests Out of Structures was published by the San Francisco Department of the Environment and the International Code Council.Īlthough intended primarily for city properties and institutional kitchens, the 88-page guidebook provides a number of practical applications for food processing facilities as well. However, pest preventive tactics are rarely included comprehensively at the design stage of buildings. As explained in Pest Prevention by Design by primary authors Chris Geiger and Caroline Cox, “Relatively simple design features can substantially reduce long-term pest control costs in buildings and landscapes, while also cutting the health and environmental impacts of pesticide use. Pest proofing with sanitation provides the best long-term pest management program. Exclusion practices are essential to stay in regulatory compliance and maintain confidence of their buyers.” “An inability to control pests can drive the facility into violation, resulting in fines, and can also mean the loss of permanent market share when infractions occur. It is because of the stringent standards for producing a product for human ingestion that food facilities have intensive needs to control pests, added Julie Konowitz, Mars Air Systems vice president of foodservice sales and corporate marketing. Exclusion is one of the simplest and most cost effective ways to prevent pests. “Prevention is all about taking proactive steps to eliminate or minimize risk by eliminating conducive conditions before they occur, and preventing problems,” said Drew McFadden, director of marketing for Xcluder. But what does this mean to the food processing facility - particularly in relation to exclusion practices? At its simplest, it means that it is better to combat pests prior to entry than to control them after they have established residence. The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) specifies pest management as a preventive control. Air curtains can be placed on doors and sanitation equipment to inhibit flying insect entry.
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