Pest Management for Breweries
Good news for New England-based beer lovers!
Local breweries are on the rise, with more than 500 craft breweries located around the region. In fact, Vermont is now considered the “craft beer capital of the U.S.” Unfortunately, with these exciting developments and distinctions comes a drawback: As much as people love a good brew, so do many pests, and many of them pose very specific threats to a brewery’s business and bottom line.
Here are a few factors to be aware of, if you or someone you know (New England is small, after all) owns a brewery…
Problematic Patrons
Between the popularity of the product and the raw materials required to produce it, beer attracts more than just your typical barfly. Unfortunately, breweries must contend with two types of pests -- primary and secondary -- that are known to attack cereal grains and pulses, the types of product stored in breweries.
Primary pests are considered more problematic because they attack stored grains, while secondary pests only do so after primary pests have “broken the seal,” so to speak. However, secondary pests can also infest processed goods, like flour.
In general, local brewers store materials like malt for longer stretches, compared to bigger breweries. The longer these products are available, the greater the risk for pest problems.
No matter how they are classified; pests like flies, grain beetles, roaches, and rodents all pose a threat to breweries. Investing in professional pest management is critical, as these pests can do some serious damage…
A Real Buzz Kill
Some of the pest-imposed damages incurred by a brewery could include:
Audits
FDA regulations apply to breweries and quality assurance audits will ensure that operations are up to code, and the sign of pests on-site is not a good look.
Loss of materials and productProduct that needs to be replaced because of pests takes a toll on a brewery’s bottom line.
Toxic online reviewers
Some people just have an ax to grind and will use any excuse to tear down your efforts, and possibly ruin your reputation. Pests are perfect for their purposes, so best not to give them the opportunity.
These challenges are basically doubled for those breweries that also have a bar open to the public. Customers coming and going can also attract pests, especially if the brewery offers outdoor seating, where trash receptacles might be in easy reach for patrons… and pests.
New England brewers needn’t fret or follow the lead of a Chicago brewery that decided to enlist the help of feral cats in order to protect their establishments.
Located throughout New England, JP Pest Services has been providing pest solutions to business owners since 1925. Contact our experts for a free commercial pest control consultation and raise a glass to professional pest management you can count on. Cheers!
