Tips for sticky stored product pest situations

Dr. Janis Reed, BCE, Technical Services Director, Control Solutions Inc.

Several years ago, when testing for my Board Certified Entomologist (BCE) accreditation, I realized how little I really knew about stored product pests (SPP). I could identify the pests, and I knew basic biological differences. My experience in pest control helped me understand how to manage them in a limited source situation. However, I was lacking real-world, practical experience in situations where SPP must be managed, like food processing, manufacturing and storage.

Here are a few tips I’ve since picked up along the way that can help pest management professionals (PMPs) in sticky SPP situations:

• Never underestimate the value of facility sanitation.
• Learn the function of each piece of equipment at an account.
• Identify equipment not being used or in disrepair.
• Pheromone lures are very useful as monitoring tools.
• Identification of a pest only gets you so far.
• A thorough inspection will bring the win every time.

A final tip is to avoid criticism and blame of different people or departments in the facility. By being a partner, and providing a clear plan of attack, you can provide quality service with many benefits to your clients.