Food Pests are the Devil’s Pets!

For those in the food industry, there is little difference between a terrorist and a pest. Both are the devil’s advocates and killers. They can kill you, your business, or both. With the latter, if you are in the food industry, it takes just one pest infestation to jeopardise the reputation of your product and your business.

With food safety related scares on the increase, and with pests becoming increasingly resistant to chemical pesticides, the threats they pose to our wellbeing are also becoming increasingly challenging. With do-it-yourself attempts no longer effective on these new-fangled pests, the challenge is even greater.

Hence, an integrated pest control program is a must, for any food related business. But first, is your pest controller a mere exterminator, a protector, or one who goes beyond these calls to be your ‘Carer’?

In the distant past, pest control was known for its ‘Exterminator’ approach. This approach involved using the most powerful chemicals to kill the maximum number of pests.

Later, the pest control industry evolved from Exterminator to Protector. This came about with the Integrated Pest Management approach (IPM), where all possible methods are integrated to have the maximum control, with least amount of chemicals used. This IPM method also includes the owner of the premises to ensure good hygiene, and sealing off obvious points of pest entry.

Pest management in areas such as your home, hotel, restaurant and the environment is also very sensitive. Special precautions must be taken when developing pest control treatments in areas where food is present, to keep such treatments from threatening food safety, the surfaces you touch and the air you breathe, hence the need to apply the principles of IPM to full effect.

Most Pest Control companies in Sri Lanka today are at the ‘Protector’ level of development in the industry, with some still in the ‘Exterminator’ level, relying more on chemicals to deliver the results. As in most industries, the pest control industry too must evolve by its own initiatives based on consumer trends. 

In the past, trusting consumers left it entirely up to the pest control company to develop the necessary treatment protocol and products used. But today, with numerous charlatans masquerading as professional pest controllers, it is best to ensure you are not being taken for a ride. Ensure that the Pest Control company you choose is trained in pest control, and licensed by the Registrar of Pesticides. 

Current trends point to better informed consumers, thanks to the internet and globalisation. The consumers today are beginning to look for more than protection from pests. They are also looking for more humane and ‘caring’ professionals in the industry, who will not only develop the best protocol for treatment, but also involve the client in making decisions for the best options of pest control.

One of Sri Lanka’s leading pest control companies, Lawson Pest Control International Ltd, specialising in Food Pest Control, took the initiative to promote food safety, by sponsoring a seminar on ‘Food Safety & Pest Control’, recently. The seminar was aimed at all those involved in Quality Control/Assurance, Maintenance Managers and Supervisors responsible for food safety.

The seminar included a presentation by the Swiss based International Pest Control Consultant Raja Mahendran on the theme ‘Latest Trends in Food Pest Control’. Mahendran has worked and consulted for Fortune 500 companies, across Australia, Asia and Europe.