When it comes to the Food Industry, the days of the Pest Management Professional simply providing good service and summarizing their findings and actions in a report are gone. Yes good service and strong communications are critical to ensuring safe food; however when it comes to the current environment that is infused with Third Party Food Safety audits, much more is needed to achieve perfect scores. Knowing what constitutes a sound Pest Management Program that will meet and exceed Third Party Food Safety standards is half the battle; choosing the right company to deliver on the needs of your facility will help ensure a safe food production environment.
What may have once been considered “Bells and Whistles” for Pest Management programs are now standard requirements for many Third Party Food Safety audit standards. Program requirements fall under the principle of Active Program Management, meaning that both the Food Facility and the Pest Management company must be constantly documenting and addressing pest activity and conditions that could support it.
Some of the pieces your Service Provider should be delivering to be in compliance include:
Service Technicians with experience and training on how to effectively service food facilities and the stringent requirements with respect to paperwork, food safety and Third Party Audit standards. Does your Service Technician have formal, certified training on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) such as QualityPro Food Protection certification through the National Pest Management Association? Does the Pest Management company have established service procedures for food facilities? Organic protocols?
Documentation binders that include everything Third Party Food Safety auditors require including business credentials such as Service Technician licenses and training certificates, insurance, device floor plans for the facility, up to date MSDS and Product labels for pesticides, service reports, Approved Chemicals Lists, Pesticide Usage Logs, etc.
Electronic Reporting and Pest Activity Trending. Electronic reporting allows for a much higher level of detail to be captured with respect to the individual service verses a paper service report. As regular services are merged into one report and findings are tied to specified locations, filtering can be performed to identify chronic issues in the facility with respect to sanitation, structure or pest concerns. Electronic reporting also utilizes barcodes on pest management devices allowing for pest activity and proof of device service to be captured. Typically, pest activity data is processed within these reports to give trend report graphs that can be altered in real time for specific pests or specific locations within the facility.
A Corrective Action process to ensure appropriate action is taken to address important issues identified during the pest management service is also a key requirement. This process can be conducted via a paper Corrective Action Log but is often being built into electronic reporting systems for easier management on a daily basis. Strong communication of the issues and cooperation is vital to ensuring a successful and effective Pest Management Program.
Third Party support. The support team that the Pest Management company can offer can play a critical role in managing the entire program and keeping food safety on track. This support will come in the form of Branch Management, a Quality Assurance Department, Information Technology Department, and a strong local base of Service Technicians. The Support Team can provide the Food Facility with regular program reviews to determine whether revisions are necessary to mitigate chronic problem areas and strengthen the program. They can also provide other support such as staff training, detailed facility audits, and software support.
The abilities of the Pest Management Industry have greatly advanced to meet the needs of our Food Industry Clients. Be sure to investigate the opportunities to maximize the Pest Management Program at your facility to ensure compliance with Third Party Food Safety Audit standards.
About the author:
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.
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:
Not every creature that visits your property is a dangerous nuisance. Many animals actually offer a number of benefits that keep your yard healthy. Predatory animals, in particular, actually offer natural pest control. Here are five common suburban creatures that can help keep more difficult or annoying animals at bay:
Summer is almost here and before you head out on a family trip or even if you travel for work, consider doing a little research so you become familiar with bed bugs. This will help you identify them quickly and it could keep you from bringing them home unknowingly!
For some, the garage is a primarily a storage unit. If your household is one that keeps its vehicles parked in the driveway, you may have considered clearing out the garage or at least organizing it so that you can better locate your things. Another good reason to do so it because a cluttered garage makes it easier for pests to hide. In the summer months, pests might invade the space looking for some shade. During winter, rodents may take shelter from the cold. Perhaps worst of all, a swarm of bees or wasps could decide that an open wall is the perfect spot to build a nest. For these reasons alone, you should consider cleaning out your garage and inspecting it for pest damage. Read on to learn how:
With autumn in full swing, chances are you're spending more time outside, enjoying the changing colors. Hikes through the forest and walks through the park are great ways of enjoying the outdoors before the cold months of winter come. These activities are so much more enjoyable when you can take your beloved canine company with you. But when you do, you have to be wary about ticks and fleas. These parasites can spread disease at worst and make your pet very itchy at best. Keep reading to learn how to keep your pets pest free.
Resort hotels have an increased risk of pest infestations because there are several potential points of entry. The surrounding environment, food shipments and the guests themselves can all bring pests into the facilities. A solid integrated pest management strategy is important for keeping these pests from becoming a costly problem. Here are a few tips for controlling pests at hotel resorts:
Moths may be small, but they can cause real damage around the house. Some species may infest your kitchen and living room area, while others are notorious for their ability to ruin your favorite clothes. Even in the winter, these flying insects can be a serious nuisance and demand action from homeowners. Here's what you need to know about the different ways moths can infest your home and what you can do about it:
