John Barclay FRSPHExcel Environmental Services

Common Food Pests and Their Control.

http://www.excelenvironmental.co.uk

What is a PEST?

Any organism that is detrimental to man or his Health/Activities.

Food Pests would include, Rodents, Insects, Birds.

Hazards – Contamination

Food Destruction

Diseases

Contamination

What is Contamination? Potential for spreading food borne pathogens &

causing damage to goods and structures. E.G. – Urine, Droppings, Hair, Insect Bodies. Outcomes – Food Poisoning

Monetary Loss

Survival of Species

Food Pest

Food Destruction – Food Consumed or destroyed by Pests, making it unfit for human consumption.

E.G. - Food gnawed by rodents.

Insects Laying eggs in Food.

Birds droppings in Food.

Outcomes – Monetary Loss, Disease.

Disease

illness caused by contact or ingestion of contaminated food stuffs.

E.G.- Salmonella (Rats) – 20000 cases pa

Listeria – 100 cases pa

Campylobacter – 50,000 cases pa

E-Coli – 800 cases pa

Weils Disease - fatal

Types of Infestation

There are 3 main types of infestation

- Rodents

- Insects

- Birds

Rodents

Habitat – Everywhere and anywhere.

Characteristics – Nocturnal, young grow quickly, litter size rats 7-8,mice 6-14. reproduction potential rats 200, mice 2000 pa.

Rodents

Food Requirements – any foodstuffs, rats 1oz, mice 10th oz.

Water consumption rats require 2oz, mice long periods without, esp. if moist foods.

Signs of Infestation – Live rodents, hairs, droppings, gnawed food/material, smear marks @ wall floor junctions.

Birds

Habitat –External ,become pests when nest indoors, or e.g. Gulls on roofs.

Characteristics – main type of birds, Gull, Feral Pigeon, Sparrows, Starlings.

Food Requirements – Any food scraps, chicken, cake, flour, fruit,.

Signs of Infestation – Live birds, droppings, feathers, nesting material.

Insects

Habitat – Food Stuffs, Cupboards, Wall floor junctions, cracks & crevices, containers.

Types – Grain Beetle, Dried Fruit Beetle, Leather Beetle, Flour Beetle, Australian Spider Beetle, Grain Weevil.

Insects

Food Requirements – Any foodstuffs/stored products.

Signs of Infestation - Live Insects Larvae

Insect Tracks Webbing

Reasons for Control

Disease – contamination from pests causes illness e.g. food poisoning. NHS vulnerable ,ill, elderly, very young.

Monetary – Damage to goods, materials and building structure.

Phobia – Many people have irrational fears of pests. Staffing issues.

Reasons for Control

Image – Public seeing insects, rodents. Potential repercussions e.g. bad press, political.

Legislation – Could lead to prosecutions.

Methods of ControlRODENTS

Environmental – Sealing gaps on Doors

Sealing Fabric of Building

Landscaping

Hygiene

Methods of ControlRODENTS

Physical – Gassing Burrows Trapping Sticky Boards Chemical – Rodent Baits Contact Poison

Methods of ControlINSECTS

Environmental – Screening Windows & Doors Sealing Cracks, crevices, gaps Landscaping Hygiene

Physical Control – Electronic fly killers Moth Traps Insect Traps

Methods of ControlINSECTS

Chemical - Insecticides

Baits

Methods of ControlBIRDS

Environmental – External Hygiene e.g. Bins etc Predators Physical – Bird Repellent Systems Trapping Shooting Scaring Proofing Chemical – Narcotising

Conclusions

Good Hygiene accounts for 90% of pest prevention and control.

Pest Prevention and control should be a routine essential part of any catering facility.

Good Hygiene combined with professional pest control inspections ensures best practice is achieved.