What scenario can lead to pest infestation

This blog looks at how a product recall caused by a pest infestation in the food manufacturing sector  can have a massive impact on your business.

Let's take a dive into a pest-related product recall. Please keep in mind reading this blog that there are three main reasons for product recalls: cross-contamination, pathogens, and physical contamination. Pests can be the cause of all three of these issues. 

What is a recall?

By definition, the act of summoning anything back to its original location is known as recall. A product recall is defined as a request to return, exchange, or replace a product after a manufacturer or consumer watchdog group discovers flaws that could impair performance, hurt consumers, or cause legal problems for the manufacturers.

The impact of product recalls

Product recalls are expensive, to say the least. You can find out more about that in our previous blog post: The cost of pests in food manufacturing. Not only are they financially expensive but recalls place huge pressure on the brand which is now under the spotlight. This in turn also translates to lower consumer trust and a decrease in purchases. 

How do pests cause product recalls?

As mentioned above, product recalls are caused by three things generally: cross-contamination, pathogens, and physical contamination. Pests have the inherent ability to cause issues in all three of these categories.  

1. Cross-contamination: 

The issues of cross-contamination is explained in detail in the this blog. Just on a surface level however, cross-contamination is the inadvertent transmission of germs or other bacteria from one substance or object to another, with potentially dangerous consequences.

2. Pathogens:

When it comes to pathogens we define those as organisms that cause disease to the host. We all know that pests carry a number of diseases, bacteria, and germs that can and will harm us.

3. Physical contamination

As for physical contamination, this makes for a robust discussion on actual pest sightings and signs that the surrounding areas are compromised. The best way to prevent physical contamination of products by pests is to ensure that your staff members are trained to see signs and symptoms of live infestations. In addition, staff should be trained to positively identify what type of pest is being experienced on site. This is imperative to taking steps to dealing with the pest problem.

Worst Case Scenario - food for thought

No matter what commodity or product you procure or sell, there's a risk of a recall. For this scenario we'll take a simple box of cereal; a convenient breakfast that most people enjoy. You  get a consumer complaint stating that there are flies inside the cereal box.

Your first point of action is to communicate with the customer and explain to them that an investigation will need to take place to establish the root cause of the infestation, and whether other product has been impacted, and that you'll keep them in the loop regarding the outcome of the investigation.

Now that an escalation has occurred, this product line item is compromised and there needs to be a detailed and thorough check on the quality of the product, its production line, all retailers stocking the product, storage facilities and all stages of the cereal's  raw materials. A risk analysis needs to be conducted to establish whether or not a full product recall is required. This will be as a result of the infestation check. 

The infestation check: 

Let's say that the product was infested in the production stage, soon after the product exits the oven and just before packaging. The product is still warm and the flies lay eggs on the cereal. Once packaged, the remaining warmth facilitates the growth of the egg and larvae. This would certainly be cause for a recall of that batch of cereal - and so the logistics nightmare begins.

Now an official letter of recall needs to be extended to your retailers,  and everyone who purchased from those retailers will need to have an avenue to return the product. Refunds and credits will need to be issued as a result of the recall, and the costs skyrocket as more components in your supply chain pause operations and conduct reverse logistics activities.

Now what?

Once the product has been returned (and there have been millions of Rands in stock right-offs), the production facility will need to be treated for pest concerns, and then the actual production process will need to be re-engineered to mitigate the risk of future infestations  (this is on the internal operational belt).

Externally there is damage to the brand reputation, and to the customer base as more and more consumers move to competitor products and brand loyalty sees a sharp drop. This is truly the worst case scenario as the operational costs and financial impact of customer dissatisfaction mount and can ultimately lead to job loss and even business closures.

The product recall mitigation strategy should include quality checks throughout the supply chain, ensuring that products are inspected at every entry and exit point - from raw materials through to final consumer retail destination.

Although the implementation of these check points can be costly initially, in the long run they  pay for themselves and are completely necessary and beneficial to the longevity of your business.

My advice to you is that you make sure that you consider the damage that pests can do (cross-contamination, pathogens, and physical contamination) and involve a reputable, reliable pest control service provider in your quality checks. That way you can ensure that your supply chain is covered and that there is peace of mind for you and the consumer market you provide for.

For more information on how to prevent pests in your supply chain, download our free E-book on the Power of Data: A New Era For Food Safety eBook

Let’s say that you are out looking to purchase a home or rent a commercial space for your business. You want to make sure the building or home is in the area you want to be, has everything you need, and is a place you want to be in for a long time.

However, you also want to make sure there are no pest infestations. Have you ever stopped to think about what sign is most likely to indicate a pest infestation? There are a few such as identifying pest droppings, seeing anthills in your yard, noticing plant damage on the surrounding vegetation, or even nesting signs.

Let’s take a look in more depth at those signs of infestation and how to ensure they do not occur.

Where to Look For Pests

No matter if you are in a commercial setting or a residential setting there are places that you can start looking to see if there are pests. These are the attic, crawl spaces, tight spaces, and under cabinets.

Sign Indicate A Pest Infestation In A Commercial Setting

The commercial setting is a little bit different than a residential setting. However, the issues of a potential infestation are the same and equally costly. It is always best to be proactive when dealing with the potential for an infestation in a commercial environment. Hiring a professional right away is highly recommended so you avoid being shut down by the health department.

Some areas to look at to determine if you have an infestation in your commercial building very much relate to the signs you will see for a residential building. Pest droppings, damage to structures, damage to plants, nesting, and grease marks and grease tracks are all areas of concern within the commercial setting.

Nesting

You will begin to notice insulation has moved from the wall and possibly showing on your commercial building flooring. You might also see leaves and grass or sticks appearing as the rodents use these items for bedding and warmth.

Grease Tracks or Marks

As rodents travel around your establishment they will pick up grease or other materials on their feet and tend to make a trail of where they have been and where they are going.

Pest Droppings

Mice and rats leave a clean trail of droppings and are visible. However, other insect droppings are not as visible, so a thorough inspection by a professional is highly recommended.

Damage to Plants

Damage to plants is also a sign indicate a pest infestation. Similar to damage to plants for a residential home, the same factors are important to investigate for a commercial establishment. Making sure the insects aren’t swarming your plants and getting into your building via cracks and crevices or even the piping system is important. Preventative maintenance is key.

Damage to Structures

These can be seen by sagging ceilings, wall cracking, chewing on the support beams, and more. If you see any of this, it is important to have a professional check it out right away. This is because the safety of your family can be an issue.

Indoor Pest Infestations

Let’s take a look at some of the ways you can determine that you have an indoor pest infestation:

• You have active pests in your home and they require your immediate attention.
• There are dead bugs in your home, that normally should not be present.
• You notice pest droppings in various locations of your home.
• There is clear evidence of nesting in your home from various rodents.
• Holes and gnaw marks have appeared on your floors, cabinets, or walls.
• Complaints from neighbors regarding several rodents or other insects running amuck.
• Clear signs of termites on your wood, in the attic, walls, or any wood parts of your home.

Outdoor Issues That Indicate a Pest Infestation

Let’s take a look at some of the ways you can determine if you have an outdoor pest infestation:

• Clear signs of damage to your plants and vegetation around the exterior of your home, as mentioned above.
• A large number of anthills are starting to collect in your yard around your home.
• The yard is feeling soft and grass and plant root systems are showing signs of destruction by moles.
• You have a nearby breeding ground for rodents, such as a shed or other external storage unit.
• The lawn is showing signs of damage, due to the root system being eaten up by insects and underground rodents.

A Great Way To Prevent Pest Infestations

If you are looking for the best way to control a pest infestation, the answer is simple, prevention. Preventative maintenance of your home is the best way to keep insects and rodents out of your home or place of business.

Here are two ways that you can ensure that you are successful at keep insects and rodents out.

Home or Commercial Establishment Entryways Free of Access Points

Seal all cracks in doors and windows as well as any exterior holds. For a home, garage doors are typically an area that you will want to make sure is sealed properly. For a commercial building, the front doors and any large bay doors need to be sealed.

Remove Food Sources

The other way to ensure you will not have an infestation is to remove all potential food sources for the insects or rodents. The only reason that insects or rodents will come to your home or commercial establishment is for food and shelter. If you eliminate these sources of life support, then they will not want to stick around.

Commercially speaking, keep food stored at least 6 inches off the floor, dumpster areas clean, trash disposed of regularly, and maintain a clean working environment.

Other Recommended Maintenance

While you are checking inside your home for possible insect infestations it is also a good idea that you explore the exterior of your home. Cracks in the stucco or shingles are areas where insects can access your home. Making sure that the stucco is sealed and the shingles are replaced are great ways to protect your home.

You will also want to take a look at your HVAC unit to determine if there is any water leaking from the unit. Water leakage will attract other insects as well as create a mold problem. Getting ahead of this early is a great way to prevent an infestation and any major damage to the home.

When Do I Call A Professional

Calling on a professional the moment that you see a possible pest infestation is key. You will not want to wait too long for this scenario to get out of hand. Also, from a commercial building perspective, you could lose a lot of money and time if your place of business closes down to handle an infestation.

From a residential perspective, no one wants to have their home wrapped up in tarps to be bug bombed so the whole neighborhood can see. Investing in pest control in both residential and commercial establishments as well as being attentive to details will save you from stress and a large investment to solve the issue.

Conclusion

You will want to call out a professional team as soon as you have identified an infestation. First, reach out to your local home inspection company to conduct a termite inspection as well as having them offer up their pests control services and recommendations. Honor services in Melbourne, FL, and surrounding areas, can handle these inspections for you and help you keep an infestation under control before it happens.