15 Signs of Pest Infestation at Your Food Processing Unit
HiCare November 09, 2022 | Wednesday
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Planet earth is not just a home to us human beings, but it is also a home for countless organisms. Different organisms live in different places, but some tend to occupy places where we live or work. Yes, you guessed it right, we are indeed talking about pest infestation.
Cockroaches, rodents, termites, bed bugs, wood borers, mosquitoes, and ants, are to name a few common pests found in residential and commercial spaces. Their size may often be misleading, but they do possess great potential to pose a health hazard to human beings.
Curious to know how can pests be controlled? We suggest you first get acquainted with the common signs of pest infestation in food premises. Food manufacturing pest control is only possible once you detect their presence at your premise.
In this post, we aim to enlighten you with not just 15 signs of pest infestation at your food processing unit, but also help you identify the most common food pests too.
Pest infestation at commercial spaces like food processing units, if not controlled within time may lead to diseases and might destroy your entire business.
Listed below are the most common signs of pest infestation at food factories.
Top 15 Signs of Pest Infestation at Food Processing Units
- Tear or Hole Marks on Food Packaging
- Gnawing Marks on Tools and Furniture
- Smudge or Greasy Marks on Walls and Tables
- Scattered Pest Droppings
- Scattered Insect Skins or Wings
- Insect Eggs or Larvae Around Food Packets
- Dead Insects Around Food Packages
- Streaks and Tail-marks of Pests
- Foul or Musty Odors
- Knocked Down Trash Bins
- Fabric Damage in the Premise
- Mounds and Mud Tubes
- Live Rats Running
- Insect Webs Detected
- Wooden Powder or Dust Around Shelves
1. Tear or Hole Marks on Food Packaging
The most common sign to detect pests at a food manufacturing unit is when you find holes in food packaging. These torn food packets indicate rodent or rat infestation at your food factory.
2. Gnawing Marks on Tools and Furniture
Second common sign of pest infestation at a food processing unit is when you see gnawing marks on your tools and furniture. These are evident signs of some pests like rats hiding in your food factory.
3. Smudge or Greasy Marks on Walls and Tables
Your food manufacturing unit has already fallen prey to insect infestation if you notice some smudge or greasy marks on tables, walls, and floors. These are signs of pests hiding in your factory.
4. Scattered Pest Droppings
Do consider pest infestation control if you notice scattered pest droppings in your food factory. Places where pests like cockroaches, rats, etc. hide do show signs like scattered droppings of these pests.
5. Scattered Insect Skins or Wings
Food attracts all types of pests like rodents, flies, cockroaches, and bugs. If you are running a food processing unit, make sure to look for signs like scattered insect wings or skins. As soon as you notice these pest infestation signs, hire an expert for commercial pest control services.
6. Insect Eggs or Larvae Around Food Packets
Sometimes, you don’t need much to detect signs of pests hiding in your food manufacturing unit. You will see them live in front of your eyes. Some of the food packets will show you live larvae or insect eggs, which are not to be taken lightly.
7. Dead Insects Around Food Packages
Quite contrary to the above hint, you may find dead insects around food packages. These clearly indicate that your food processing unit is infested by pests.
8. Streaks and Tail-marks of Pests
Watch out for tail marks and streaks of pests like cockroaches, rats, bugs, and spiders. Most of the time, the common pests found in food factories leave behind an evident trail. These trails can help you understand that your factory is infested by pests.
9. Foul or Musty Odors
Still looking for clear signals to declare that your food factory is infested by pests? Don’t just look, sometimes you need to smell too. If you notice some foul or musty rotten smell in your factory, take it as a red alert for pest infestation.
10. Knocked Down Trash Bins
Every food factory has a trash bin, where spilled products are disposed of. So, if you notice knocked down trash bins quite frequently at your factory, take it as a clear indication of pests like rodent infestation in your food manufacturing unit.
11. Fabric Damage in the Premise
At times, you may also notice some fabric damage in your food factory. Like holes in curtains or other table mats. These are not ordinary holes, but the damage done by pests like rats who are hunting for food in your commercial space.
12. Mounds and Mud Tubes
Another evidence of pest infestation in your food-producing unit is when you see mud tubes or mounds at different corners. These are dug by pests who dig hideouts inside your factory and should be taken as clear signs of pest infestation.
13. Live Rats Running
All your doubts about what is infestation will vanish the moment you will see a live-running rat in your food factory. It will be evident that your factory is a hangout space for pests like rodents that need to be controlled through some types of pest control services.
14. Insect Webs Detected
Another vivid sign of pest infestation at your food processing unit is when you notice insect webs at different corners and roofs of your unit. Pests like spiders and moths usually build weave webs to protect themselves in such commercial premises.
15. Wooden Powder or Dust Around Shelves
Noticing wooden powder or dust around your shelves? Then, your food factory is most likely infested with pests like termites or wood borers.
Conclusions
What to do when you notice any of the above-mentioned signs of pest infestation at your food processing factory? Hire commercial pest control services from HiCare, India’s leading digital hygiene and pest control solution provider. The hygiene experts of HiCare use active measures to deal with all types of seasonal pests that infest your food factory. Choose HiCare, the company with a legacy of 29 years in pest control for customized and safe pest solutions for cockroaches, rodents, termites, bed bugs, and mosquitoes.
FAQs
1. What is pest infestation?
Pest infestation refers to the presence and multiplication of pests, such as insects, rodents, or birds, in a food processing unit. These pests can contaminate the food, damage equipment, and pose a health risk to consumers.
2. What are the signs of pest infestation in a food processing unit?
Some common signs of pest infestation include droppings or urine stains, gnaw marks on packaging or equipment, unusual odors, nests or burrows, chewed wires, damaged food products, sightings of live pests, and insect or rodent tracks.
3. Why is pest control important in food processing units?
Pest control is crucial in food processing units to maintain hygiene, prevent contamination, and ensure the safety of the food products. Pests can spread diseases, contaminate surfaces, and compromise the quality of the final products.
4. What are the most common food pests found in processing units?
The most common food pests found in processing units include cockroaches, rodents (such as rats and mice), flies, ants, stored product pests (like beetles and moths), and birds. These pests are attracted to food sources and can quickly multiply if not addressed.
5. How can pests be controlled in food processing units?
Pests can be controlled in food processing units through various methods, including implementing proper sanitation practices, sealing entry points, installing screens on windows and doors, using pest-resistant packaging, employing professional pest control services, and conducting regular inspections.
