Cockroaches
Other than the housefly, that is more easily recognized and detested than the cockroach. Cockroaches have been shown to transmit diseases including pathogenic foodborne bacteria such as salmonella, Vibrio cholera, Staphylococcus aureus, and others both in the insect’s gut and on its exterior surface.
Inspection & Monitoring:
A good way to detect cockroaches is to enter a darkened production or storage area, turn on the lights, and quickly look for roaches scurrying back into hiding. Cockroaches also may be found by inspecting inside electrical junction boxes and control panels, or by looking behind objects and in floor drains. Glue traps often are a good monitoring device.
Treatment:
Eliminate all habourage by clearing junk, sealing and filling cracks and crevices and maintaining a sealed, smooth surface throughout the plant in production and nonproduction areas. Seal junction boxes, receptacles, and control panels. Seal openings around conduits and pipes where they pass through walls and ceilings. Inspect incoming shipments (packaging, ingredients, etc.) and reject infested shipments. Acceptable chemical control that may be used include gel baits, sprays, aerosols, or dusts.
Flies
Flies transmit disease by spending part of their life in direct contact with or in close contact to fecal matter or decaying material. Flies must liquefy their food before ingestion, so they secrete salvia (often called vomitus) on surfaces where food may be prepared leaving germs and other harmful bacteria.
Inspection & Monitoring:
Thorough inspection should focus on detecting breeding spots, most times are garbage areas, drain area with high organic matter etc. Fly traps would help identify fly specie and area of high infestation.
Treatment
Re-locate garbage away from doors and should be evacuated frequently, and waste disposal areas must be properly maintained and smooth without cracks. Next, flies must be excluded from entering the food processing facility. This includes using air curtains (air screens) and/or doors that close automatically. Electric traps with blue fluorescent light/gum traps are effective in reducing flying insects, including flies. Sticky traps can be utilised indoors and outdoors. Chemical solutions include larvicide, fly baits granules and liquids etc by spraying and fogging.
Rodents
Rodents include rats and mice. Rats and mice carry and transmit disease, and they can cause significant economic losses by damaging food containers, contaminating food with rodent droppings, and consuming food. Two major species of rats are found in and around human habitation: the Norway rat and the roof rat.
Inspection & Monitoring:
In rodent infestation inspection should include search for signs of rodents which include: droppings, smudge marks, noises, visual sightings, tracks, gnawing, urine stains and smell. Inspect for exit and entry holes which you may identify by rub marks and run ways. Traps and tracking powder are a good way to monitor and also control.
Treatment
Elimination of harborage is the most effective way to control rodents. This includes removing all general clutter from the food plant and storage areas to eliminate rodent hiding places. Seal-up and prevent entry of rodents, remove source of food and water.
Treatment
Chemical & Physical Control Strategically place rodenticides, glue boards, bait boxes, ultrasonic devices, and traps as required.
The above pest and control methods outlines the pests of concern and steps that food processors can take to start a pest control program.
