Pest control: food businesses

Food business owners should be aware of ways to control animals and pests that can carry organisms and contaminate food.

Signs of pest activity

Signs of animals and pests include:

• droppings
• smear marks
• gnaw marks.

How to control pests in food premises

Pests enter food premises on food and packaging material and through doors and other openings.

You can stop pests entering by:

• insect-proofing doors and windows
• sealing cracks and crevices in the floors, walls and ceilings
• removing excess food packaging before it enters the premises
• implementing a pest control program
• not allowing animals into storage and preparation areas
• sealing all gaps between benches, shelving and cupboards
• keeping food scraps in bins with close fitting lids
• covering all foods when fly spray is being used.

Where to look for pest activity

You can look for pest activity in food premises in places including:

• behind fridges
• behind microwaves
• in electric motors
• around cappuccino machines
• under benches and sinks
• in storage areas
• in other dark places in the kitchen.

For more information contact Environmental Health.