Best Practices For Pest Management In Supermarkets
The expectations of customers can place a great deal of pressure on any food-handling business. Patrons are justified in presuming that their restaurants, food processing facilities, and grocery stores meet or exceed acceptable standards of quality and cleanliness to ensure that their food products are safe to eat.
The pests most frequently found in supermarkets include German cockroaches, flies, mice, pantry pests, and birds. All of these pests have been known to carry pathogens that cause deadly diseases, and pose a serious threat to the health of your employees and customers. Furthermore, a single pest sighting can ruin the reputation of your business and cause formerly loyal customers to take their business elsewhere. Pest infestations can happen virtually anywhere in a supermarket, but are most often found in the cold cuts department, the bakery, produce sections, employee break areas, and trash areas.
One of the most important strategies for pest prevention -- one that is often overlooked by supermarket managers -- is employee education and vigilance. Each employee working in a supermarket plays an important role in an integrated pest management (IPM) plan, and should be well informed on the protocol of handling pests. Simply training employees on how to spot pests and how to report a pest sighting can be a significant help in the overall management of store pests. Supermarket managers should also train their employees on how to inspect incoming stock for signs of insects and rodents.
While the regulations imposed by the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) do not directly apply to supermarkets, the FSMA does affect food suppliers. Supermarket managers must ensure their vendors are compliant with FSMA standards, and the items they purchase must be free of pests.
In addition to enlisting the services and expertise of an experienced pest control company whose technicians will conduct regular inspections, supermarket owners and managers may want to consider additional bird and fly control programs.
Does your integrated pest management plan involve employee education? Does your supermarket employ a strategy for controlling birds and flies? If not, contact JP Pest Services for a free commercial consultation today. Our experienced professionals can eliminate pests and prevent them from ruining your reputation. Keep your customers satisfied with an IPM plan designed by JP Pest Services.
