With over one million known insects in our world, approximately fourteen species exist as primary pests to stored products with approximately one hundred seventy-five to two hundred species existing as minor pests. Whether the problem be with Indian Meal Moths, Fruit Flies, birds, Yellow Mealworms, rodents or Mediterranean Flour Moths, food processing and storage facilities can be a unique challenge, not only because of their processes and size, but also because of the need to comply with laws and regulations promulgated by the FDA, EPA, USDA, state and local authorities and by Military Standards.

Insects and rodents love food processing and storage facilities. They are attracted by the lights and odors and enter through people and vehicle doors, vents, pipelines, windows and cracks in exterior walls. They also enter in incoming supplies.

Leaf Pest Control has the experience, knowledge and expertise to solve even the toughest pest problem in food processing and storage facilities while complying fully with all laws and legal requirements. Leaf’s pest management program consists of six integrated segments:

1. Inspection – Leaf will thoroughly inspect all areas of the facility, interviewing facility management and staff. This inspection is designed to:

• Identify past and current pest problems and related damage/contamination issues
• Identify conditions that are or may be contributing or conducive to pest problems
• Evaluate housekeeping, sanitation and facility maintenance practices which may contribute to pest infestations

2. Pest Identification – Only by correctly identifying pests can their habits and biology be known and used to eliminate them. This is critical and key in the design of an effective pest management program.

3. Program Application – Leaf utilizes an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach to pest control. This approach emphasizes non-chemical methods of control such as pest exclusion, trapping, sanitation, monitoring and maintenance before consideration of chemical controls. When chemical control is applicable and required, low impact measures such insect growth regulators (these interrupt the insect’s growth cycle) and baits are considered first. This helps ensure that maximum control is achieved while emphasizing safety and avoiding contamination of foods and packaging materials.

4. Program Evaluation – For a pest management program to continue to succeed, it must continually adjust and evolve to match changing plant needs. Leaf’s pest program includes evaluation and diagnostic tools that allow plant management to spot changes in pest habits and environment, leading to a quick response. These tools also help in spotting seasonal trends, evaluating sanitation program changes and early detection of additional conditions conducive to pest introduction and harborage.

5. Communication – Teamwork between Leaf and facility management is the key to a successful pest management program. That is why Leaf’s program provides communication tools such as Pest Sighting Logs, Sanitation Reports, Site Environment Reports, Service Reports, Rodent Device Status Reports and others. But Leaf also believes in face-to-face communication with plant management and other facility personnel for their input on program adjustments.

6. Quality Assurance - Our Quality Assurance team is always on call to meet the changing needs of dynamic facilities. Team members can help evaluate sanitation, production and physical plant processes relating to pest management. In addition, every six months a team member will thoroughly review the pest management program and interview facility managers and make recommendations for enhancing the pest program.