How often do you deal with stink bugs (Pentatomidae)? Here are two memorable encounters I’ve had with the pest.
The roll with something extra
A consumer purchased a dozen fresh rolls and discovered an intact adult stink bug embedded in one of them. The bread was produced in a local bakery and then purchased in a local grocery store.
An inspection of the bakery revealed no signs of any stink bugs or exterior insects indoors. The exterior parking lot of the bakery was clean.
There was one issue, though. Cigarette butts were near the far edge of the parking lot. The adjacent field had high grass. Using a drop cloth and dragging it along the edge, I was able to catch a few live stink bugs, the same species found in the roll.
I never was able to prove it, but the following scenario seems logical: Employees not able to smoke indoors walk to the edge of the parking lot and smoke before returning to work. Stink bugs in the nearby grass could crawl onto their shoes or pants legs and be transported into the bakery without detection.
▶ Solution: I suggested the following four-pronged strategy:
⦁ Cut the grass in the field and along the parking lot regularly.
⦁ Create a designated smoking area that is not close to grass.
⦁ Install an insect light trap (ILT) in the front entrance lobby, where employees enter.
⦁ Train employees to check their clothes before entering the building.
⦁ For good measure, ensure all vents are properly screened.
▶ Conclusion: Neglected exterior grounds can result in a contaminated end product. It is not good enough to just identify an insect found in food; you must learn why it is there and what is needed to prevent it from happening again.
This salad stinks
Live stink bugs appeared on lettuce leaves of several salads prepared for children requiring a special diet in a hospital. The kitchen preparation area was in the center of a building in New York City. There were no exterior walls with windows where any insects could fly or crawl in.
An inspection of one of the kitchen ILTs revealed five live stink bugs. An inspection of the fresh lettuce crates revealed a few more.
▶ Solution: I told them to first, stop purchasing contaminated lettuce. Change vendors or have someone inspect where the lettuce is shipped from to ensure it is pest-free.
I then requested that a trustworthy staffer be put in charge of inspecting all incoming fresh produce entering the hospital before it is brought indoors.
▶ Conclusion: We must always expect the unexpected. Sometimes, a routine service can lead to preventing a health problem for vulnerable patients.
Dr. Frishman, a PMP Hall of Famer (Class of 2002), can be reached at PMPEditor@northcoastmedia.net.
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