Insects found in Food
There's No Hiding Place from Presto-X
Stored cereal product insects include:
- Flour beetles
- Sawtooth grain beetles
- Grain weevils
- Warehouse beetles
- Indian Meal Moths
Danger Signs
- Sighting of live insects
- Damaged product or packaging material (Holes in packaging materials, insect feeding evidence on product, webbing in product(product clumped together due to insect webbing) etc)
Potential Harm
- Potential for contamination of food products
- Regulatory concerns (Food and Drug Administration, HACCP compliance)
- Third Party Auditor requirements
Business Consequences
- Liability concerns
- Customer complaints regarding infested product
- Economic loss due to contaminated food products
- Aesthetics due to the presence of live insects
Steps To Take
- Identification of species
- Determine source of infestation:
- Incoming product
- Stored material
- Equipment
- Structure
- Explore non-chemical control methods (caulking, sanitation, etc)
- Application of approved pest management materials
- Implement a pheromone monitoring program