Pest Management Professional, September 2013

austins agenda Austin M Frishman Ph D t Technical Consultant Different products require different storage longevity which will vary with temperature humidity and the product Effective warehouse inspections T o help a customer better understand why he was having recurring grain pest problems in spices and what steps were needed to stop it I developed an 18 point program to give us a baseline The potential top score would be 100 percent The owner quickly realized why he was having such a pest problem His score was below 40 percent If each item was worth 55 percent and youre aiming for 100 percent you dont need to be a genius to see why youre in trouble In this case the reason for the concern was economics The warehouse owner wanted to sign two new customers but was told he had to pass an American Institute of Baking inspection and achieve a score of 800 or higher He was ready to listen Keep in mind the economics of your accounts might prevent you from completing all the steps but this makes clear what needs to be done 1 Are all vulnerable products fumigated before they enter the warehouse 2 Is there a quality assurance program in place to verify the fumigation is effective 3 Do you inspect all incoming materials 4 Are your people trained on what and how to inspect 5 Do you inspect vendors facilities before accepting products 6 Do you reject contaminated materials and return them with a written explanation 7 Are storage practices sound This includes written specifications about stacking height the types of containers permissible and the proper storage temperatures 8 Is vulnerable product stored at cold temperatures 9 Are employees trained for good manufacturing practices Do they follow them 10 Do you have a track record of at least one year without having to fumigate anything once its brought into the facility If not why What can be done to avoid this mistake again 11 Are samplers trained to properly patch the holes they create and pick up their spills 12 Are pheromone traps used and maintained properly and is action taken when insects start to appear in the traps 13 Are storage practices sound The strategy of first in first out isnt enough Different products require different storage longevity which will vary with temperature humidity and the product Something should be in writing to indicate what these values are 14 Are exterior doors windows and vents properly screened This includes loading door cushions around the trailers when parked at the loading dock 15 Does management review this pest management program monthly and visit the warehouse regularly to see whats happening The finest program on paper means little unless its being implemented 16 Are floor wall and ceiling surfaces constructed so they can be cleaned easily 17 Is there a written cleaning program in place 18 Is a specific competent individual assigned to oversee the pest management program The objectives are to eliminate the need to fumigate and maintain pest free premises Some pests might enter but with an early warning detection program and proper sanitation in place the pest situation shouldnt get out of hand making fumigation necessary PMP You can reach Frishman an industry consultant since 1967 and president of AMF Pest Management Services at mypmp@ northcoastmedia net 110 September 2013 Pest Management Professional www mypmp net