Warehouse Sanitation

Q: We just got the contract for pest control in a food storage warehouse. This is a large facility and it’s the first time we’ve ever serviced a customer of this size. In addition to doing rodent control and insect control, the customer has asked us to give them a monthly sanitation report. This is not something we have done a lot of in the past. What types of things should we be looking for and be notifying the customer about? (M.M.)

A: The first thing I would recommend is that you look into taking one of the American Institute of Baking (AIB) short courses on food processing and sanitation and/or warehouse sanitation. These are offered several times a year and I believe also can be taken by correspondence. There is no better place to get a firm understanding in this type of work than AIB. You can contact AIB at 913/537-4750.

I’m not sure I can do justice to your question in the space provided for this column. There are literally hundreds of situations that a trained inspector looks for when inspecting a food warehouse. Perhaps I can get you started on a few I believe are important and commonly present themselves as problems.

First, you would want to notice whether or not this facility is making an attempt at sanitary operation. In other words, would you describe the interior and immediate exterior of this warehouse as being clean, neat, tidy and well cared for? You’re trying to get an overall sense for how much emphasis the management of the facility places on cleanliness. If it’s clean and orderly, that is good. It means they have a basic understanding of sanitation and are making a solid effort to keep the facility clean. If you cannot describe the facility as clean, neat or tidy, then you’ve got your work cut out for you. This is certainly something you should have noticed and taken into consideration prior to bidding on the facility.

Here are a few things that commonly pop up during inspection:

Broken or damaged items. What do they do with torn bags, leaking cans or other damaged containers? If these things are left in place or moved to a common area and then left in place for more than a day or two, this is unacceptable. Broken items are highly attractive to insects and rodents. Whenever possible, damaged materials should be removed from the warehouse or repackaged as soon as possible.

Floor cracks and expansion joints. These openings in the floors serve to collect all types of food debris and are excellent harborage for a number of insects. Rats and mice can also use them as entryways from the fill beneath the concrete floor slab. If the facility uses brooms or power sweepers to clean the floor, they will never get the debris out of the cracks in the floor. This must be dug out by hand or through use of a vacuum. Any openings in the floor other than intentionally installed drains should be filled and sealed.

Pallets. If pallets are used, then you will have to determine whether or not the pallets are harboring populations of psocids or stored product beetles such as the saw-toothed grain beetle. Are the pallets cleaned regularly? Where and how are unused pallets stored? Are new items received on wooden pallets from outside vendors?

Stock rotation. Is the entire stock of the warehouse rotated on a fairly predictable basis? Or, are there some items that tend to remain in the warehouse longer than others? You may find that some items don’t move at all and that these should always be viewed suspiciously as potential infestation sites.

Inspection of incoming product. Most pests in food warehouses are brought in from outside sources. As a result, all product on the receiving dock should be inspected before being allowed into the facility. If it is infested, it should be rejected.

The items that I’ve listed here just scratch the surface of the things you’ll need to pay attention to when you inspect a food warehouse. The style of construction, the nature of the food materials in the warehouse and a whole host of other factors will determine the nature of your inspection. You’ll need to get some additional training to do this correctly.

Jeffrey Tucker is president of Entomology Associates, Houston. Questions can be sent to Questions & Answers, c/o Entomology Associates, P.O. Box 70375, Houston TX 77270, or faxed to 713/681-9069.