Partner with Pest Management Providers to Prevent Rodent Pressure

Every week, Atkinson Candy Company’s pest management partner inspects the facility and performs a walk through with QA Manager Chris Dodson.

“He reviews our pest sightings log and we discuss anything new employees noticed,” she said, relating that managing pest pressure is a reality of doing business in Lufkin, Texas, where the company is based. The operative word, Dodson notes, is “partner.”

A collaborative approach with open communication has resulted in a highly successful pest management program for Atkinson Candy. “Our technician does a super job of walking the plant, pointing out anything he might observe that we didn’t see, like a crack in the wall or a new crevice, and our maintenance team is right on it,” Dodson said.

Bobby Corrigan underscores the importance of carving out time during a technician’s regular inspection and walk through to engage in the process. “And before the technician leaves, sit down for just five minutes and ask, ‘Tell me what you found? Tell me what you saw? Tell me what I need to do to help you maintain control?’” said the owner of RMC Pest Management Consulting in Briarcliff Manor, N.Y.

When QA managers or facility supervisors simply ask for the service ticket to sign off, they’re leaving on the table a whole lot of opportunity to secure their environment.

DON’T SWEAT THE COST.

When cost is the only factor driving pest management decisions, there’s trouble.

“I remind food companies, ‘You tell me how much it will cost you to be on TikTok or have the FDA shut you down because that animal was in a place you didn’t know about and defecated on your product and it went out for delivery,’” Corrigan said. “Food safety should be expensive. That is not where you want to worry about saving a couple thousand dollars a year.”

LEVERAGE RESOURCES.

A pest management provider can be a go-to for more than prevention, control and training. When exclusion work is required, such as door repairs or sealing, some providers offer this service — or can refer facilities to partner contractors, said Pat Hottel, technical service director for Rentokil.

“Take advantage of those resources, because sometimes it can be hard to get a contractor out there to do the work,” she said. “Look to your pest management provider for that advice and help in getting repairs done.”

Leverage communications tools, as well. For instance, every week, Amela Romanic logs into the customer portal her pest control provider offers. “I can see trending reports and find out if there are certain months or times of year or areas that we need to keep an eye on,” said the quality assurance director for Kessler’s Food Services in Camp Hill, Pa.

Their conversations are fluid.

“A key to success has been the ease in contacting them whenever we have an issue, and they are quick to respond,” Romanic said, adding that the company reviews sightings logs and recommends adjustments. This, plus the portal, have “helped tremendously,” she said.

“The more information I can get my hands on to see how we can increase or better control rodents, the better,” Romanic said.