When you own a business in the food industry, you understand more than most other business owners that pest control is a critical part of weekly, monthly, and annual property maintenance. A few mice can ruin your entire inventory, and a single cockroach can ruin your business’s reputation forever. So, before you risk your business’s future, make sure you understand the importance of effective pest control in the food industry.
There are five primary steps to implement when you create a plan for long-term effective commercial pest control. These primary steps include inspection, pest identification, the establishment of pest tolerance levels, implementation of an effective control strategy, and an evaluation of effectiveness. If you haven’t spotted any pests on your property, monthly services including these important steps are still necessary.
State-of-the-art in commercial pest management for businesses is call Integrated Pest Management. Integrated pest management truly integrates various methods working in combination within a single program. IPM was born in agriculture but has been adapted to almost every discipline under a broad pest management umbrella. A commercial pest control expert will understand what methods work best for your property, your industry, and the pests that affect you most. When you need to implement effective commercial pest control management in the food industry, work with a trusted professional with decades of experience in the industry.
Proper pest management must be practiced at every step of the food and beverage manufacturing process, from procurement of raw materials to palletizing and shipping the finished product. To assure pest-free products, it also is important to be familiar with pest management practices of suppliers. Suppliers should adhere to their own sanitation and insect control practices, and incoming materials must be inspected thoroughly to ensure they are free from pests. Raw materials should be segregated and inspected for any sign of infestation.
During processing and packaging as a business in the food industry, the products must pass through internal control points determined by a Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points, or HAACP, program. Trucks should be carefully inspected for pests before packaging or raw materials are unloaded and before product is shipped. Your restaurant, storage spaces, warehouse, and other spaces where you keep product must be meticulously maintained to keep pests away. Hiring professional food safety pest control in Yakima is the best way to start protecting the future of your business.