Dusana Bondy, Technical Support Auditor Abell Pest Control Inc.
Food Manufacturing brings together and mixes several different sciences; toxicology, microbiology and entomology are just a few aspects of this complex industry. Even though these sciences are different they all play an important role in maintaining the food plants integrity and ability to produce safe and sanitary food.
Sanitary design pulls all aspects of the processing/warehousing facility together and can create an ease of cleaning and elimination of food sources for structure infesting pests. The plant layout, structural areas, equipment, electrical systems and the construction all effect pest activity and can all provide potential harbourage areas and or food sources. The food manufactures focus should be altering the design affecting cleaning and maintenance practices. This allows the process to be easier to perform and thus creates more efficient work time.
Here are some easy steps to take to modify the working environment of the facility and in turn reducing the possibility for pest occurrences:
The Exterior Foundation. Ideally it should be constructed of solid concrete with no direct soil contact (gravel border) at ground level. This eliminates harbourage areas for crawling insects and allows for easy inspections if cracks or potential entryways are found.
Support Beams. Support beams exposed within the facility create sometimes -uncleanable cavities. Constructing Pilaster or brick walls around these beams can eliminate the accumulation of product. When building a Pilaster, the support beam must be sealed and the top sealed to prevent possible spills from settling in this created void. Access panels work well and provide pest control technicians with space for control traps and cleaning if required.
Structural and Working Surfaces. Lets examine surfaces. Product that accumulates on ledges provides stored product insects and rodents with a food source. Design of ledges is crucial in preventing buildup and to assist with ease of cleaning. Support beam bases should be cemented and pitched at 60 degrees. Angle iron should be inverted so as not to trap product dust.
Floors. Floors should be constructed out of one material with an epoxy coating apposed to tiles. Floor tiles crack and the grout can wear allowing moisture from cleaning to seep underneath. This creates an excellent area for flies to breed.
Drains. Drains can often be the source for much of the pest activity found in food plants. Drains should contain strainers to prevent large food particles from entering the drain and clogging it causing water to pool and sit stagnant. Trench drains should be rounded to facilitate cleaning and eliminate all organic debris, which can collect.
Pipes. Horizontal pipes should run adequately spaced and vertical pipes should be at least 4”from the wall. Crevices are formed when pipes are laid up against flat surfaces or adjacent pipes. These crevices trap solids and can result in insect problems.
Electrical Panels and Conduits. These offer quite and warm locations for pests to breed. Both panels and conduit lines should be fully sealed and seals should be inspected yearly to ensure they remain in good condition. Room should always be provided to clean under and behind these units. Ensure they are raised off the floor and away from the walls.
Let’s also remember, when contractors are on site doing repairs, adequate training on your facilities GMP’s are essential. When contractors are called in to repair the floor to prevent pests, we don’t want them to leave an exterior door open to let more in!
Following simple designs, keeping the ease of sanitation in mind during the construction stages will save the company; cleaning time, less possibility of pest activity which in turn equals cash savings and higher productivity!
Since 1924, Abell Pest Control has provided quality services, protecting our customers and their patrons from coast-to-coast. Our customers enjoy the expertise and resources of a national provider. Prouder yet, we are members of your community, ready to service your home or business 24/7.
We are reliable experts in pest control—experts who care. At Abell Pest Control, we bring experience, efficacy and knowledge to customers who are looking for a fast, safe and effective solution to their pest problem.
You probably already know that most people are repulsed by the simple sight of cockroaches. If you are personally dealing with a cockroach infestation, the feelings of disgust are probably even more intense. Unfortunately, the cold winter weather tends to be one of the reasons this pest ends up in your home in the first place, according to Any Pest. While you may know that you don't want to share your home with cockroaches this winter, there are a number of interesting facts about this pest that you've probably never heard.
Because of the high amount of traffic and the versatility of the facilities, pests are naturally attracted to long-term care institutions. Many nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and other care facilities include on-site kitchens and cafeterias as well as private rooms and common spaces. All of these places are susceptible to attracting pests because of the presence of food, water and viable habitats.
During the summer months, some people love to go camping with family and friends. Yet this fun trip can be ruined with a few unwanted visitors, most notably different types of bugs. Crawling spiders, hungry mosquitoes and buzzing flies can become annoying quickly. How can you avoid these pests when you're outdoors? Consider these tips to keep bugs out of your campsite.
Carpenter ants can chew through the strongest studs and stringers in a house as they hollow the wooden beams out for nesting. The resulting damage can weaken the home's structural support and require expensive repairs. Professional pest control workers can remove a colony of ants, but the best practice for homeowners is to learn the best ways to keep out an ant colony and prevent the problem before it begins.
As the weather cools, you'll probably see fewer pests than you did during the warmer months, but that doesn't mean they're all gone just yet. Some insects can actually come out in full force during the autumn, while others might seek refuge in your warm home. Here are some key tips to keep in mind as fall gets underway:
As the middle of summer approaches, you need to be vigilant about keeping your garden free of pests. Many insects breed during the summertime, which means they're on the lookout for great places to lay their eggs. For many bugs, that means near a source of food. In fact, some species of insects will lay their eggs inside budding vegetables and fruit so their larvae have something to eat as soon as they hatch. That's why you have to keep harmful bugs out without damaging the bugs that could help you, such as bumble bees.
You might have noticed that, with the exception of the kitchen, you find more pests in your bathroom than in the rest of your home. This is because insects and rodents see the bathroom as a convenient watering hole. Pests love leaky pipes and standing water because these offer them a hydrating oasis in the otherwise dry biome that is your house or apartment. And if your bathroom develops mold, all the better for pests, who may eat fungus or use it to lay their eggs.
The kitchen is largest gathering place for pests in a residential home. The reason is simple: pests can grab a bite to eat and take a sip of water while they're here. And when they find such a bountiful place, they will return home to their nests and report the finding - before you know it, your whole pantry is a buffet for ants! The problem could get even worse if a piece of food falls somewhere and begins to rot. Similarly, fruit and vegetables you bring into your home may be harboring unseen pests waiting to hatch.