What do you need for a pest control checklist for the food industry?
- Consultation with pest control services
- Education and training of staff
- Hygienic management of the establishment
- Recording of a pest sighting
- Pest control treatment reporting
Rodents can cause the spread of pathogens such as Salmonella and E. coli. Cockroaches move filth to your food which can cause food poisoning. Making a pest control checklist for the food industry is vital because you can’t risk contamination of your products. Keep on reading to learn more!
Consultation with Pest Control Services
Before starting your pest control checklist, it is vital to consult the services of a pest control team. This way, your establishment can be inspected for any infestation. Because there is no instant way to get rid of pests, treatment may span a few weeks or months to ensure that all nooks and crannies are free of this problem.
Aside from the treatment, a professional pest control service will also help you form an effective pest management program. Strategies will be formed to prevent pests from coming back, see early signs of an infestation, and ways to treat the problem. Instead of deciding on your own, the experience of a pest control team is valuable in making a checklist.
Education and Training of Staff
To keep everyone on the same page, all the people working in the establishment need to be trained regarding pest control. If each worker knows their role in the pest management program, even a big factory will be safe from this problem.
This way, each person can take turns in completing the pest control checklist for their station, ensuring a hygienic and clean workplace. They must know what signs to look for to determine an infestation.
Aside from completing a daily checklist, an open platform for communication is key to prevent this problem from reoccurring. In case of a pest sighting, they know the next step they need to take or the person they need to inform.
Hygienic Management of the Establishment
Now that your staff knows their part in the pest management program, all you need to do is make a daily checklist for preventive maintenance. These include all the tasks they need to complete to ensure that no pest will be attracted to your establishment. This includes food hygiene and proper management of waste.
A professional pest control service will give you an idea of what to put on your checklist:
- Storing food in airtight containers.
- Cleaning up spills and debris immediately.
- Daily cleaning of all surfaces before closing for the day.
- Closing rubbish bins with lids.
- Clearing of rubbish bins located inside the establishment.
- Deep-cleaning of hard-to-reach areas such as shelves and under sinks.
- Closing all entry points to the building after entering the premises.
Recording of Pest Sightings
With preventive maintenance, your risk of a pest infestation will decrease. But in the event where a pest manages to enter your building, your staff must know that it is crucial that your staff knows what to look for. Because every pest is different, knowing the signs can help you choose the best treatment.
It is useful to make a sighting log that will be submitted to the pest control manager. This can help you form the next step to control the infestation. Some of the things you can include in your checklist are:
- Is there any evidence of pest droppings?
- Are chew marks present in food packages?
- Are there any new holes on the walls?
- Is there a foul smell coming from inside cabinets and under sinks?
Pest Control Treatment Reporting
If you’re undergoing a long treatment, a checklist may be given to you to keep track of the pest management program’s success. You might need to check this from time to time to ensure that everything is working correctly. To keep food safe, non-chemical control methods will be recommended for your establishment. Pesticides will be used as a last resort.
While pest control services will visit your establishment regularly, they will leave tasks to you. If there are any abnormalities, report them immediately to the person in charge.
Key Takeaway
Before you form a pest control checklist for the food industry, consulting a professional pest management service can make a tremendous difference. Because of their experience and knowledge, they can advise you on the tasks you need to do to prevent and treat a pest infestation.
If you’re interested in a free inspection, send a message to Topbest today!