How to Control Pest

Deny pest access to the catering facility

· Use reputable suppliers and inspect deliveries

· Screen windows and vents

· Fill holes around pipes

· Seal cracks in floors and walls

· Seal spaces around equipment

Deny pest food and shelter

· Dispose of garbage quickly and properly

· Properly store all food and supplies quickly

· Clean an sanitize the facility thoroughly

Fly control

Keep flies and flying insects out of the catering facility with:

· Fly screens over windows and doors

· Self closing doors

· Cover all food

· Keep the area around the catering facility clean

· Ensure all waste products are disposed of in the correct bin

· Eliminate all strong odors

· Make sure all bins have a tight fitting lid

Rodent control

Look for the signs, droppings and entry holes in the catering facility. Most rodent activity will take place at night; a daily cleaning program will assist the detection of rodent infestation.

Rodent will enter through:

· Poorly fitted doors

· Open windows and doors without fly screens

· Holes in the floor or walls

· Broken plumbing

Rodents need to drink lots of water, make sure:

· Taps are not dripping

· Water is not left in the sink or a bucket over night

Roach control

The most common roach found in the catering facility is the ‘German’ cockroach. The larger ‘Australian’ and ‘American’ cockroaches are usually found around the rubbish area, toilet and grease traps.

· Seal all cracks no matter how small or how high, (remember – roaches can walk along your ceiling)

· Remove dirt and food from drains

· Remove all rubbish from the catering facility

· Empty all bins regularly

· Remove cardboard boxes

· Do not leave food out over night

Pest control contractors should be used to assess the requirements for chemical, electrical or manual traps. These can be:

· Fly zappers

· Bait boxes

· Glue pads

· Chemical spray

Kinds of Pest in the Food Industry

· Rodents (rats & mice)

· Flies & Insects

· Birds

· Any other animal that enters a food room

Signs of an infestation

· Droppings

· Footprints in dust

· Gnaw marks and damages

· Smear marks from fur

· Holes and nesting sites

· Rat runs in undergrowth

· The animals themselves either dead or alive

Signs of a roach infestation

· Strong oily odor

· Droppings similar to grains of pepper

· Capsule – shaped egg cases

Signs of rodent infestation

· Droppings

· Signs of gnawing

· Tracks

· Nesting materials

· Holes

Signs of a fly infestation

· Bodies of insects

· Live insects

· Excreta (small splashes/smears on surfaces

· Webbing

· Nests

· Droning or buzzing

· Maggots and pupae

Pest Control

Pest control will help keep dangerous germs out of your catering facility.

Good pest control means:

· Keeping pest out

· Keeping the catering facility and rubbish area clean

· Checking for signs of pets

· Removing access to food and water

· Covering all food

· Removing rubbish and damaged products from the catering facility

Adequate control of pests is essential to the maintenance of a safe and decent environment for people to live in.

Pests pose a range of health hazards. They spread pest – borne illnesses, which reduce people’s quality of life and increase the demand on scarce medical resources.

Pests cause damage to structures and contaminate products. Rodent activity is a nuisance. Birds fouling can make pavements unsafe, resulting in significant claims for damages. Food and medical supplies are rendered unusable when contaminated by either insects or rodent pests.