For those of you in states buried under several feet of snow, navigating slippery roads, or simply trying to remember what the sun looks like, it may be hard to fathom, but warm weather is around the corner!
Along with picnics, baseball, vacations, and relief from seasonal affective disorder, spring and summer come along with some uninvited guests: a myriad of pests. In all fairness, cockroaches, flies, rodents, etc. are threats to food safety operations all year but with warmer weather food operations often see additional challenges when it comes to managing pests.
A good pest control program takes a good deal of planning and proper maintenance. Before the warmer weather hits, it might not hurt to examine your current program and anticipate the needs for your operation. Where to start though? Well, don’t “wing it.”
The following free sources provide some good, introductory insight into Pest Control in food processing environments:
Pest Control in Food Establishments - FDA
A Pest Control Program - Purdue University
Sanitation and Pest Control - USDA
Also, consulting with your local inspectors, government resources, and academic extension programs can help you get ready to put your pest control plan/ program to the test. To assist you in developing, implementing, and maintaining you program, Nelson-Jameson has created a Pest Control flyer, highlighting some of our key product offerings. To talk with one of our product specialists about your pest control needs, give us a call at 800-826-8302 or view our website for more information. We’re here to help in all seasons!
