MINIMISE INFESTATION BY...

Keeping your store in good condition. A good store is one that minimizes in-store temperature fluctuations and permits controlled ventilation.

INFESTED FLOUR OR FBF?

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Pest Management

Pest is any species, strain or biotype of plant, animal or pathogenic agent injurious to plants or plant products (FAO, 1990; revised FAO, 1995; IPPC, 1997).

Any stored or transported food commodity can be subject to attack by pests:

Food aid commodities in store are particularly vulnerable to attack by insects, rodents, and to a lesser extent by birds.

Pest infestation compromises the characteristics and self-life of commodities. It can impact the safety of food products via the trasmission of zoonotic diseases (e.g. leptospirosis from rodent urine or droppings). Pests can damage packaging materials (holes, gnawing, chewing) and result in major losses of food that is eaten, spoiled or contaminated by them. Moreover, pests may provoke severe damages at the warehouse premises. For example, they may cause fire hazards by gnawing of the electrical wires.

How to manage pests?

Apply basic principles of Warehouse Management and make sure that you:

  • Maintain hygiene to avoid harbourage
  • Remove dirt and food residue
  • Cover openings
  • Dispose garbage in metal dustbins
  • Use traps
  • Check regularly for signs of infestation

 

Store layout and stock rotation (First-In, First-Out) are critical in avoiding cross-infestation of the stored goods.

Is it infested?