ACCESS

Premises may be protected against pest access, by:

Insect pests may gain access to the premises in food packaging (e.g. cockroaches in cardboard boxes). Checks should be carried out at the time of delivery.


PREVENTING INFESTATION

Refuse areas may attract pests:

Good management and monitoring will lead to an early identification of pests and prevent infestations becoming established.

It is recommended that expert advice be sought from a pest control contractor.

MONITORING

Regular checks must be made to ensure that premises are free from infestations.


ERADICATION

Problems identified should be dealt with quickly, either in-house or, preferably, by using a contractor who will be able to provide food-safe chemicals and equipment and give advice. It is recommended that all actions should be recorded.

Electric fly killing (EFK) units should be positioned away from food surfaces or equipment, draughts, windows and fluorescent lights. Insects are attracted to the unit by the ultra-violet light and electrocuted on a charged grid.

Units should be serviced regularly and ultra-violet tubes must be replaced at least annually, or as frequently as manufacturers recommend. Catch trays should be cleaned at least weekly in warmer weather. A high number of dead insects would indicate that there is easy access to the premises and this should be investigated and rectified as soon as possible.

It should be remembered that it is better to prevent the insects gaining access to the premises than to kill them once they are in!

Fly-screening can be as simple as net fixed to window frames!


This Guidance Sheet contains basic information only. For more detailed and authoritative advice you should refer to the relevant Industry Guide to Good Hygiene Practice available from the Environmental Health Department on 823000.