Sanitation and Pest Management Module

The module will identify the components of a pest control program, including personnel and preventative practices used to reduce pests, identify individuals responsible for sanitation of specific process centers within the feed manufacturing facility. This grain module is brought to you by the Iowa Grain Quality Initiative, and was produced by the former Crop Adviser Institute.

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Learning objective: Identify components of a pest control program, individuals responsible for sanitation, common pests, associated hazards, and methods of pest control in a feed and grain facility.

Introduction: The only way to keep pests from entering the grain chain is a strong sanitation program. Feed mill managers are primarily responsible for developing a sanitation schedule, based on mill design, that includes storage of incoming ingredients, equipment management, and feed transportation. Pests include mice, rats, birds, and other rodents.

Integrated pest management (IPM): The key to successful IPM starts with inspection. Every facility should have an inspection checklist customized to detect and correct issues as they emerge. Inspections and monitoring help define the presence, numbers, and spread of infestations. Periodic examination of monitoring data will indicate the benefits of IPM. Pest control is also a major element of the Food Safety Modernization Act Good Manufacturing Practices.

Food safety hazards: Physical hazards include the bodies or excreta of pests themselves. Chemical hazards involve pesticides or cleaners. Good manufacturing practices separate chemicals from feed so contamination does not occur. Biological hazards may occur if pests are carrying microbial pathogens, or if wet cleaning processes are used and equipment is not completely dry.

Supporting information:

Determination of Potential Microbial Hazard(s) in Animal Food

Pages / Length:
Publication Date: 09/2016

Permanent link for this product: https://store.extension.iastate.edu/product/14587