Pest Invasion 2013 Addresses Key Food Safety Topics

SOUTH ELGIN, Ill. - McCloud Services' annual Pest Invasion educational seminar drew a record attendance of nearly 350 food plant professionals, regulators and pest management professionals on April 26, the firm announced.

Pest Invasion, an annual food industry seminar hosted by McCloud Services, is one of the few pest management seminars, and combines hands-on training with timely topics important to the food industry, McCloud Services said.

The seminar focuses on the increasing demands for improved food safety, with several speakers addressing the importance of pest management in food safety. Topics ranged from rodent control updates to fumigation alternatives. Speakers included Dr. Robert Corrigan of RMC Pest Management, Dr. Steven Kells of the University of Minnesota and Dr. Tom Phillips of Kansas State University. McCloud Food Safety Manager, Dave Pettigrew and Technical Director, Patricia Hottel, presented information on regulatory updates and third-party audits. Gene White of Rose Pest Solutions closed out the conference with a presentation on overwintering pests.

• Dr. Corrigan recognized the importance of quality rodent control as an element of food safety by stressing the relationships between food-borne illness and rodents and food contamination. 
• Dr. Kells instructed the audience on the importance of inspection, as well as inspections post-insecticidal treatments.  He has utilized this procedure to help uncover the sources of stored product pest infestations.  
• Dr. Phillips reviewed a variety of research that has been performed at Kansas State University and Oklahoma State University.  The research focused on stored product pests and fumigant alternatives.  Phosphine fumigant resistance and strategies to prevent phosphine resistance in insects were also included in the presentation.  Strategies to help prevent resistance include rotating to other fumigant alternatives.