A Guide to Pest Control in Warehouses

Learn how to use an integrated pest control programme to

control pests in the workplace

www.remaxproducts.com.au

Contents
Introduction

The Risk of Having Pests in Your Warehouse

The Blacklist
Rodents

Flying Insects

Cockroaches

Birds

What is Integrative Pest Management

11

Keeping Records

13

Building Design in Pest Prevention

14

Pest Control Checklist

19

1 Introduction
Despite rapid advances in the pest
management industry over the
last 30 years, many warehouses,
manufacturers, distributors and
processers have not kept up.
While pest prevention is naturally
an absolute must to all those in the
food industry, it is also essential
to those in other industries. A
quick look at the pests in the next
few pages will show why their
prevention is essential not just for
workplace hygiene, but also for
keeping your stock and warehouse
infrastructure in top condition.
It is true that the level of pest
prevention necessary for the food
industry is much higher but we
hope that this guide will show you
why all industries should strive for
the utmost standards.

2 Risks
The risks of not having a pest
control procedure in the food
industry are:
The spread of disease
Damage to property
Contamination of your
product work surfaces
Poor staff relations
Severe loss of reputation
and the creation of negative
public opinion
Prosecution and even closure
of your business

Many of these risks still apply

outside the food industry and
can have serious implications
for your business. As such, you
need to create a pest control
plan that effectively manages
and attempts to eliminate any
intrusions into your warehouse.
In the modern age where most
people carry smartphones with
high resolution cameras and
high-speed Internet access, all
it takes is a single disgruntled
employee or visitor posting a
photo online of any pest control
breaches in your facility to
bring your business into serious
disrepute.

Simply search on the internet under:

hygiene breach in warehouses or
hygiene breach in restaurants to see
how businesses can easily find themselves in public scrutiny if they dont
have the best pest control standards.

The implications of poor pest

control dont just include potential
regulation breaches, fines or loss
of stock, they have also become
increasingly dangerous to an
organisations reputation and can
severely impact on the retention of
customers and the acquisition of
new ones.
The risks are high and as such the
objective of a Pest Management
Programme should be to prevent,
as far as practical, the introduction
of pests onto the premises and to
reduce any conditions that may
encourage their presence.

3 The Blacklist
Rodents
It is often said that the most threatening pest in the food industry is the rodent.
Rodents have been implicated in over 55 diseases, this range of pathogens
stretches from parasitic worms to viruses. Not only are rodents responsible for
contamination, they can also cause considerable loss of supply, damage to the
premises and potential fire hazards.
Presently, Australia has over 60 species of rat inhabiting its expansive landmass. Of
these species there are two introduced varieties that cause the most trouble. The
elusive Black Rat (rattus rattus) and the larger more agressive Brown Rat (rattus
norvegicus).
What makes these two rats
particularly troublesome is their
rapid life-strategy stemming from a
high birth rate, short-life span and
high death rate. The speed at which
they breed means that a few rats
that are overlooked or ignored can
quickly become a severe infestation.
Rats are capable of producing ten or
more young every three weeks who
become independent within 21 days.

Quick Identification:

Black Rat (Rattus Rattus): Arboreal and

agile, black in colour, big ears and eyes
proportional to their body, tail is longer
than the rest of the body. Body is slender.
Brown Rat (Rattus Norvegicus): They
are found on every continent except
Antarctica, Small ears and eyes compared
to their body, tail shorter than the rest of
their body, sturdy build.

5 5

Most rats are granivorous (seed-eaters) but when short of food; they become omnivores
and will eat almost anything. Brown Rats eat about a tenth of their body weight every
day, but Black Rats do not eat as much. All rats have front incisors that continue to grow
at a rapid rate throughout their life to keep up with their constant gnawing.
They also gnaw to reach places previously inaccessible. All of this can cause
considerable damage to your facility and can even lead to exposed wires that can then
become serious fire hazards.

Signs of rat infestation includes:

- Droppings
-
Visual identification
-
Gnawing sounds
-
Oil marks from fur
-
Tracks in dusty areas
-
Worn insulation wires and
-
Urine (detectable under UV)

By using any one of these signs you can determine a lot about the extent of your
problem. For example the shape and size of droppings can inform you of the
population; 10-12mm long and 5 mm in diameter are rats and around 4 mm in length
and 1mm in diameter are mice.

If the droppings consist of multiple sizes you

may have a population consisting of adults
and their young, this designates a growing
population.
If the droppings are soft and glistening; rodents
are still present as the droppings are fresh.
Are the droppings distributed or located in
one area? Brown Rats are known for having a
dedicated latrine area and focused droppings
would indicate their presence.
How many droppings? Rats produce about 40
a day, so the number can be a strong clue as to
how many are present on the premises.

These simple
observations
can help you
take a first look
at any problems
you have, but
we would
advise seeking
a professional
opinion and help
on any course of
action.

Removing Rodents consists of destroying their harbourages, such as old pallets or

equipment, and always removing rubbish from the premises and exterior perimeter.
Rats must drink at least once a day and will not survive in an area without water. If
you have an infestation, you may be able to track a harbourage by the tracks to and
from a water source. Rodents are mostly nocturnal so sightings may be rare. A sighting during daytime means either heavy infestation or a disturbed nest.

Flying Insects
Flies are a well known feature of life in Australia and it is no surprise
flying insects are a pervasive contamination issue across Australia
and particularly throughout the food manufacturing, processing and
distribution industry. During the summer months they become even
more of an issue. Their size and agility can make them hard to identify
and trap. They are also completely indiscriminate in moving between
food products and garbage and therefore can easily spread illness and
disease. In implementing any pest control programme, it is important to
consider preventative measures first and foremost. Strong preventative
measures will reduce the need for major elimination procedures.
In Australia, the main flying insect pests are flies, all of which have 4
stages of life; egg, larva, pupa and adult. Adult flies are what we think
of when we discuss flies as they are the largest concern and highly
mobile disease spreading pest version. They only eat liquid foods and
this means that if they encounter solid food they extrude saliva and
regurgitated gut contents, rich in digestive enzymes (along with any
viruses, protozoa or bacteria present in the stomach) to break down
the solid into a liquid. It is this process that makes them a massive
contamination threat.

All flies have different feeding and breeding habits but the good thing
about preventative measures is that when effectively employed, they
will prevent all types along with all other flying insects. It should be
noted that the other flying insect pests include:
Moths
Mosquitoes
Wasps
Bees
Winged Ants
Termites

There are 5 key flying insect hazards that businesses need to consider:

Flying insects are highly mobile and therefore all points of entry in the
entire facility need to be considered.

Flying insects are also prone to indiscriminately feeding on waste,

excrement and food products. This means that insects found on food
products may have just been on an entirely different source of food;
possibly rubbish or excrement.

They are also carriers of organisms that are harmful to humans and entirely
unsanitary. They may deposit these organisms in your produce or products
causing spoilage and/or transmitting disease.

They can also embed themselves in food or products causing

contamination and spoilage of your food stuffs.

Finally, food regulations dictate that there should be no flying insects

present in food premises. This means that all the above hazards are
regulated heavily across Australia.

Cockroaches
Cockroaches have remained largely unchanged for over 200 million years. There
are over 4,000 species but only a few are of major concern to facilities in Australia.
These are:
The German Cockroach
American Cockroach
Native Australian Black Cockroach
Brownbanded Cockroach
All three like warm, moist and
dark conditions, although the
native Australian species is
more commonly found outside
and feeds largely on decaying
plant matter, and as such, is
less of a contamination threat.
Just as with rodents and other
insects, cockroaches have a rapid
breeding period and thus a single
sighting can quickly become an
infestation.

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Each cockroach varies on the length of time a deposited egg case (oothecae) will
sit before opening. In the Australian Cockroachs case it is 80 days, whereas the
German cockroach is only one or two. This means that pest control plans need to
be comprehensive and ongoing because infestations can happen quickly or with
a long delay after the first sighting.
Cockroaches are omnivorous and will feed on a large variety of organic matter
including other cockroaches. Their activity is most frequent during hours of
darkness. This means that they may go largely unseen during the day, where they
spend most of their time together in harbourages. Just like flies, cockroaches
present a large contamination problem with their indiscriminate nature towards
food.

Birds
For some reason, birds seem to be pushed to the bottom of the list when it
comes to the most dangerous pests in food processing plants. It may be because
they seem less harmful than other pests like termites, cockroaches, and rodents.
However, this is a common misconception.
Pigeons: They carry a wide range of bacteria, including salmonella (which causes
food poisoning), and ornithosis (which is transmissible to humans, and causes a
flu-like syndrome).
Starlings: They also carry disease. They flock to cities in large numbers, and roost
in industrial structures, buildings, nearby trees, and livestock farms and factories.
Starlings are drawn to livestock farms and factories because of the high protein
supplements that are often added to livestock rations.

Swifts and Swallows: They seek

to build nests in buildings, and
carry anthropod parasites such as
bird mites and bird bugs. These
parasites will attack humans in
the absence of their hosts, posing
a health threat to workers in your
plant. When attacked, humans will
experience severe itching, large
inflamed areas or small welts on
their skin.
Sparrows: Living in close
association with humans to feed
and nest, sparrows are most
commonly sighted in granary or
rice storage areas foraging on
goods. Manufacturers will have to
deal with fecal contamination from
bird feathers and droppings. The
consequences; are monetary loss
on contaminated goods, as well
as increased chances of failing the
regular food safety audit.
Crows: Since crows are welladapted to urban areas, they
tend to gather in a large number
around people, ready to feed on
road kill, garbage, and refuse. They
are quite clever and will learn to
exploit any gap in your pest control
programme.
In summary birds are troublesome
for three major reasons.

Their nesting materials can block rain gutters and down pipes,
which can result in water overflow leading to timber decay, broken
rendering and even more severe structural damages.

Their uric acid droppings contain pathogenic fungi, some of which

can be harmful and even fatal to humans.

Some species carry diseases and parasites that are transmissable to

humans, such as the ones mentioned above.

10

4 Integrative Pest
Management
Why is an integrated pest management
solution essential for modern warehouses
The more traditional reactionary method of pest control relies on the
identification of a pest problem before the associated prevention is used. This
is merely a reaction to a problem and is thus not effective in prevention and
often means that contamination has happened long before the identification
and certainly before the safety measures have been put in place.
The new standard in pest control is the integrative style. While initially
created for crop farming, integrative pest control can now be used across all
industries. It involves the consideration of all available techniques and the
integration of appropriate measures that discourage the development of pest
populations. Integrative pest management also focuses on reducing risk to
human health and the environment. Another key element of integrated pest
control is the insistence on using more than one method of control so as not

to encourage resistance to any one method. Integrative pest management

also has a stringent focus on monitoring which we will deal with in the next
chapter. Regular observation is absolutely critical to a successful pest control
plan. Insects are cold-blooded and hence an observation of degree-days (the
measure of ambient heat temperature by day) can be extremely useful in
predicting pest influxes.
Integrative pest control measures also stress the use of mechanical, biological
and synthetic pesticide control. The first point of call is mechanical control,
which primarily includes barriers, traps, vacuuming and even the removal of
produce.

11

This is followed by biological control; encouraging naturally occurring

deterrents to the pest. The final method of control is synthetic pesticides; it is
crucial that they are used responsibly and only at specific times in a pests life
cycle. It is also considered best practice to use pesticides derived from plants
or naturally occurring substances, such as pyrethrum based pesticide made
from chrysanthemums.
Methyl Bromide is a perfect example of not being an integrative pest control
method:

International concerns about the environment and requirements by local

regulators have meant that many pest control methods have been forced to
change to accommodate new standards.
The Montreal Protocol is considered one of the most successful international
agreements to date. One outcome of its ban on substances that deplete the
ozone was the removal of Methyl Bromide from the arsenal of pest control
programmes. Methyl Bromide was considered the most effective fumigant
available on the market, with 71,500 tonnes of synthetic Methyl Bromide
used across the world in 1999. The advent of The Montreal Protocol meant
that the product has been partially, and now completely, phased out by most
countries around the world. This demonstrates a key tenet of integrative pest
control management; which is the desire to not use control methods that will
adversely affect humans or the environment.

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5 Keep Records
How to keep your records for
integrated pest management
It is essential that whatever plan
you use, that you you keep a
good reporting system which
documents your constant
monitoring process. The following
reasons further elucidate why a
strong record is important:
To Monitor Pest Management Processes
(possibly across multiple agents)
As Evidence of Compliance to any third
party auditors

An assessment of the risk

Any post-treatment instructions and
precautions

These are the basic requirements

of any pest control report. You can
also negotiate for other metrics
such as analyses or trends on the
performance of any traps, baits or
pesticides.

Pest Sightings Log

To highlight any recommendations

To demonstrate compliance with legislation
(in the food industry)
To highlight any recommendations

A pest control report should be

concise, legible and stored in an easily
accessible location. The standard pest
control report should contain at the
very least:
Treatment date
Details of the person who conducted the
treatment
Details of the customer name and the
contact person on site
The type of visit e.g. call out
The type of pests found
The action taken
Pesticides used
The location of all baits and monitors (this
could be in the shape of a checklist or a
plan)

Supplementary to these records, you

should have an easily accessible pest
sightings log. This could be a book or
folder but must be accessible to all
personnel, not just pest management
professionals. The log should include
the following categories:
Name of the person making the
report
The Date and Time
The location of the sighting
The type of pest seen
Any other relevant information

The designated person in charge

of pest control should check the
logbook regularly and they should
also decide on the action to be taken
in response to any sightings. If a
contractor is hired to manage pest
control, then they should be checking
and signing the pest record every
time they visit the facility.

The quantity of anything used

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6 Key Integrative Pest

Control Strategies
There are many strategies you can employ in your integrative pest control
programme, we present a few crucial strategies that you should consider for
each pest.

Reducing Flying Insect Contamination Through Mechanical

and Structural Prevention
Below we will address preventative structural measures that any business can
employ in the prevention of flying insects at their facility.

Window & Door Screening

Reason: Windows, doors and ventilation points are key areas for flying insect and
bird ingress. The major species of cockroaches, minus the Oriental Cockroach,
are great climbers and will also find windows, doors and ventilation points
a welcome entrance. The Black Rat is also arboreal and as such should be
considered a threat of entrance through any open point. Their gnawing means
that any screens need to be resistant to such activity and regularly checked for
breaches.
Action: Have tight fitting and intact insect screens on all points of entry which
are well maintained and can resist birds and rats gnawing.

Door Opening & Closure

Reason: Open doors are obviously a major invitation to all pests and thus open
time needs to be kept to the absolute minimum and all seals need to be as tight
as possible.
Action: Implement a closed door policy for all areas of your facility. Wherever
possible install and fit automatic or manually opening traffic doors that close
automatically and are also robust enough to take impacts and keep on working.
The less time the door is open, the less time for undesired pests to enter. It
should be noted that, not all doors are designed for multiple opening and
closure, so consideration must be given to installation of high usage traffic doors
such as flexible PVC swingdoors, or high speed roller doors.

14

Strip Doors
Reason: When there is an entry or exit that must remain open and air curtains
are unjustified because of cost or size of opening, strip curtains can provide
an adequate barrier to deter most flying insects from entry. Some Stripdoor
manufacturers even supply an Insect Repellent Yellow material that will
effectively defer most flying insects.
Action: With any unprotected exit or entry, install strip curtains and make
sure that the strips provide a continuous visual barrier when they are hanging
undisturbed, this will prevent insects but also trap odours and obscure vision
making the entrance less of a target for other pests.

Air Curtains
Reason: Doors that must be open at all times still need a preventative barrier to
stop flying insects. Air Curtains, if installed correctly, can provide a fast moving
airstream that repels most flying insects and may also deter birds. Typically, Air
Curtains are most effective on pedestrian access doorways, while larger doorways may require a physical barier such as strip curtains.
Action: Where possible install air curtains to building entry and exit points and
ensure that the air curtain is operating at optimal performance and that the
airflow is directed downwards in the shortest distance to the floor.

15

Door and Window Seals

Reason: Anywhere where there is a faulty seal, there is a point at which pests
may find a way into your facility.
Action: Ensure that every window, door and ventilation unit is securely sealed
and has no gaps around the edges. Also check for any signs of gnawing or decay
to make sure that all the seals are in good condition and will not perish in the
near future.

Air Conditioning Temperature, Efficiency and Positive Pressure

Reason: It has been shown that when the above conditions are met (as in an
environment that is cool, low in odour and comfortable to humans) that the
conditions are unattractive to most pests.
Action: Make sure that air conditioning and ventilation systems are well maintained and provide a constant cool, low odour environment. A good sign of a
well-conditioned environment is one with a slight outward flow of air when any
door is partly opened.

These are structural measures that every business should consider when
building or checking their facility for flying pest prevention effectiveness.

16

Below is a shortlist of further measures that should be in practice around your

workplace.

Location of Flowering Plants: They should be at least 10 metres away from

any entrance or exit.

Exterior Cleanliness: All external objects of furniture, pathways, garbage

bins and surrounds should be kept clean and clear.

Odour Management: Make sure to regularly clean exhaust outlets and

filters to rid your area of food odour.

Waste Management: Always keep trash sealed in bags and skip bins and
make sure it is cleared regularly before it overflows. Also, all leftover liquids
from beverage containers and other products should be minimised.

External Lighting: Bright lights attract flies and moths, try to have the
lighting facing the building, rather than on the building itself.

These preventative measures are a crucial element of any pest control system.
They should be matched with an effective elimination procedure to create a fully
functioning pest control system.

Traps
If elimination becomes necessary,
there are numerous chemicals and
traps that you can resort to. It is
important to note though that rats
are neophobic (a fear of new things)
and as such, show hesitation in
approaching new elements of their
environment. So it may take some time
for traps to work. Traps should also be
placed according to a mapped plan.

Traps should be monitored and

accompanied by a record so that your
pest control can be easily moderated
and focused. An effective control can
also involve performing treatment or
trap checking in an irregular or anticlockwise direction every few days to
help you pick up on things you didnt
spot before. It is also important to
think of unexpected areas. Black Rats
are infamous for their ability, and
indeed preference, for climbing.

17

Swallows and other birds will nest in often difficult to see places; although there may
be tell-tale droppings near the site. This means ducts, rafters and roofing should most
definitely be considered as part of any pest control programme.
Every business in the food industry should have a process of monitoring, auditing and
review in place.
Bait maps should be created where applicable. This involves a schedule of treatments of
traps and other measures, such as air curtains and strip doors, that address the type of
control and the area it needs to be applied.
Furthermore; any pest control chemical used on site should be accompanied with a
material safety data sheet and proof of suitability for use in a food production, processing
or storage area.
It is also important to have a system in place where any sightings of rodents can be
reported in between inspections. These sightings must result in immediate remedial action
and should be recorded in your pest log.

18

7 Your Pest Control

Checklist
Y

Personnel
Has someone been assigned the responsibility of managing pest
control in the warehouse?
Has an audit of your warehouse and its current pest control
procedures been conducted in the last six months?
Do you check-in and identify your visitors?
Are your employees and visitors aware of your pest control
programme?
Are your staff eating areas, and lockers (where they store their food),
separated from the rest of the warehouse by sealed doors?
Have you trained your employees to be aware of and report any pest
activity in your warehouse?
Do you have a logbook in which your staff can report any pest activity?
Do you use a licensed Pest Control Officer?

Facilities
Have you conducted an external perimeter search of the building for
breaches, holes or features that might attract pests?
Have you conducted an internal perimeter search for any possible
liabilities?
Have you ensured an unobstructed space between your warehouse
walls and pallets?

19

Are all your ventilation systems, air ducts and windows sealed and
screened?
Are all your doors intact, providing a solid seal and an adequate
closing and opening time?
Is all your waste contained in sealed bags or skip bins and cleared
before overflow builds up?
Is your exterior lighting kept to the bare minimum?
Have you checked that your neighbours propety has a clean exterior
and effective pest control policy?
Have you ensured that there are no pools of water in or around the
warehouse that might serve as a water supply for pests?
Have you implemated a closed door policy in your facilities and are
your main access-way doors suited to multiple opening/closing?

Procedure
Do you have a trap or bait map with all the stations numbered and
mapped?
Are you using approved pesticides, and according to their label?
Do you have a pest control service, at least monthly?
Do you use easily accessible logs to record pest procedures
conducted?
Do you have easily accessible logs to record any pest sightings?
Do you try to review, and even innovate, with your pest control
procedure? (e.g. occasional reverse runs through the bait trap
schedule when checking)
Do you use an integrated pest control procedure consisting of
multiple prevention strategies?

2018

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REMAX PTY LTD

A: PO Box 152, Nathalia VIC 3638
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