The Importance of Pest Control for Food Processing Plants
Did you know that rodents consume, damage, or contaminate enough food each year to feed 200 million people?
Your food processing facility might face a rodent or fly infestation if not being properly cleaned and cared for. To keep your building from suffering a pest threat, continue reading to find what you can do to stay safe and sanitary.
Pest Threats to the Food Processing Industry
Keeping your food processing facility sanitized is the most crucial aspect to ensuring that your products are being safely handled.
However, failing to properly maintain the cleanliness of your facility will result in severe threats to your business and to the environment. There are several common pests to prevent from inhabiting your building.
Rodents
One of the biggest issues in food processing plants is the danger of rats and mice.
By urinating and defecating often, rodents quickly spread microorganisms and contaminate food. These droppings can transmit diseases such as salmonella and hantavirus.
The three common rodents to find in food processing facilities are house mice, Norway rats, and roof rats. Look out for signs of an infestation by practicing rodent control and being aware of droppings, gnaw marks, nests, and damaged goods.
Flies
Many types of flies are known to spread at least 100 known parasites and viruses to humans. These can cause diseases like cholera, typhoid, and dysentery.
Flies spread bacteria by indulging in rotting foods, feces, and decaying flesh. Picking up germs from these surfaces, flies then bring harmful bacteria into your food processing plant when they land.
Fruit flies, drain flies, and phorid flies are all common to find hovering in your facility. By laying eggs on surfaces and spreading pathogens, flies are a substantial threat to human health and safety.
Staying informed on the common pest threats you might find will help you achieve pest management in food processing facilities.
How to Keep Your Food Processing Facility Pest-Free
Keeping your food processing facility pest-free is simple. By staying vigilant and maintaining your workplace, you can minimize the possibility of an infestation.
1. Watch your equipment. For machines dealing with raw meat, you will need sifting equipment to remove excess food or debris surrounding the area. Invest in equipment that will help you keep your facility as clean as possible.
2. Watch the temperature. Food that gets too warm can grow and spread bacteria, rendering it very dangerous to come in contact with. By keeping hot food at 140 degrees and cold food below 41 degrees, you’ll minimize the risk of temperature-affected foods.
Make sure you are thoroughly cleaning and sanitizing every surface. By putting these important practices into motion, your facility will already be more sanitary than before.
What Does Hiring Pest Control Look Like?
If you’re faced with an infestation or a potential pest threat, it’s best to call a manufacturing industry pest control.
The best pest control service will be fully licensed and insured, preferably in general pest control, Quality Pro, IPM, public health, and food processing industries. Check their credibility and if they are OSHA-trained.
For your food processing facility, you will want to hire pest control that provides commercial services. This will ensure that your building is properly taken care of.
Considering Pest Control for Food Processing Plants
Keeping your food processing facility clean, safe, and devoid of pests is crucial to operating your business smoothly.
If you’re in need of pest control for food processing plants, get in touch with us today. We will take it from here–you’re in safe hands.
We service the areas of Morris County, Bergen County, Passaic County, Essex County, Warren County, Sussex County, Hunterdon County. Union County, and Somerset County. Get in touch to see if we service your town.
