As professionals in food facility management, your role in controlling flying
insects, mainly flies, is not just
important; it's invaluable. Flies are naturally drawn to food premises, and
once inside, they have numerous options for feeding and breeding. The following
are key facts about flies in food premises and how to eliminate them
effectively, a task that relies on your expertise and dedication.
1. Food facilities attract flies.
Poorly
maintained rubbish tips are always a haven for flies. Flies are attracted not
only by the odours of rubbish and rotting produce but also by leaky waste
collection systems where debris collects under the units. If cleaning
facilities are unavailable for these systems, they will become fly breeding
units, thanks to the dirt accumulating in them. Furthermore, rubbish and debris
are often collected in landscaped areas such as car park islands, providing
hiding places and food for flies. If these areas are not cleaned properly, they
exacerbate the problem, leading to potential health and safety risks in your
food facility.
Odours are a
major attractant for flies, and it's within our control to reduce their spread.
By implementing effective sanitation practices, we can minimise odours that
lure flies. This includes using bins with self-closing lids, keeping bin lids
closed, and ensuring clean bin pads. We must also pay attention to areas where
moist organic matter can accumulate, such as litter areas and spillage areas
around bulk unloading. Regular cleaning, use of absorbent materials for spills,
and proper drainage can help prevent standing water. Remember, your actions in
regularly removing food waste, thoroughly cleaning food preparation areas, and
maintaining a strict cleaning schedule for all areas of the facility, play a
crucial role in fly control.
It's important
to note that not all flying insects come from outside. They can be transported
(through the supply chain) as containers or crates are shipped from one site to
another. This is particularly true for small flies such as Drosophila 'fruit'
flies, phorids, ham, and cheese hoppers. These tiny flies, especially fruit
flies, can be carried with produce, overripe fruit, and fermenting foods. They
can even arrive on fruit, vegetables, and reused and recycled crates in the
plants. Understanding the habits and characteristics of these specific flies is
key to effective fly management in food facilities. Your knowledge in this area
will greatly contribute to our efforts in fly control.
Once inside,
flies are attracted to common problem areas such as waste containers and
processing areas where moisture and organic matter are present. Sanitation
efforts are significant in reducing small fly breeding sites indoors.
If cleaned
sparingly, other outdoor areas that can attract flies include employee break
areas. These areas are usually close to the building and entrance areas, making
it easy for flies to enter.
Poorly
maintained fences can allow damp environments to develop, and winds blowing
into the structure can exacerbate the problem. Leaky rooftops help flies
penetrate from above and can cause problems. Improper lighting also attracts
flying insects to the structure. Switching to a less attractive light, moving
the lighting outside, and directing it back into the building can help reduce
the attraction.
Unseen and
often unclean areas of the facility are best suited to attract and support
significant fly raids, providing heat, available water, feeding, and shelter
through hidden recesses. Any area exposed to organic matter or sweet, sugary
substances is attractive to flies. But you can reduce this attraction by
following strict standards, cleaning frequently and keeping doors, windows, and
other entry points closed.
2. Flies will find ways to get inside.
Eliminating
food sources should be your top priority, as most large filth flies enter food
facilities from the outside. By following these guidelines, which have proven
to be highly effective, you can effectively prevent flies from entering your
facility, boosting your confidence in your fly management practices.
Start blocking
flying insects with exterior cleaning (grounds, deodorisation, landscaping,
etc.), then move to the interior (building integrity, positive pressure,
lighting, etc.).
Various
materials licensed for fly control around food facilities, such as fly baits,
insect growth regulators, poisonous insect baits, and sanitation, can be
beneficial for blocking flies.
Fly bait
stations at critical points in outdoor areas can help reduce the number of
insects that can access the facility.
Good seals
should be used in loading areas and on working doors, and barrier screens
should be installed where ventilation is needed and on doors.
Doors to the
plant should be kept strictly closed when not in use - do not leave anything
open beyond what is necessary for the entry and exit of stock, materials,
equipment or personnel.
Use properly
installed, operational and well-maintained air doors and pressure walls.
Install insect
light traps, such as FLYTRICK, in critical areas within the facility to monitor
and control flying insects. Regularly reviewing captures in units can help
identify penetration zones and possibly the source of an insect problem.
Implement IPM
(Integrated Pest Management), which includes periodic processes of behavioural
control through mutually verifiable systems between the PCO (Pest Control
Operator) or PMP (Pest Management Professional) and your facility.
Ensure that
grounds, buildings and equipment are maintained to the highest possible level.
All should function properly and not create conditions favourable to pests.
Rotate items
using first-in, first-out (FIFO) practices to keep all materials, equipment,
components, and related items within their useful life and code dates.
Use positive
air pressure inside the structure.
3. Keep it clean. Otherwise, flies will breed.
Moist organic
material not removed as part of sanitation can provide food for small and large
filth fly larvae. It also provides breeding space as the flies lay their eggs
in the organic material. Therefore, sanitation greatly influences fly
management.
Flies have
particularly sensitive taste receptors and can detect substances they believe
to have nutritional value. If a fly detects an area containing organic matter
or sweet substances, it will breed there. This action is instinctive because
such regions are most favourable for larvae.
Remember,
unsanitary conditions attract most pests, including flies. However, maintaining
proper sanitation reduces the factors that attract flies, taking control of the
situation and ensuring their limited survival. Your
actions play a significant role in this process.
On the other
hand, continuous sanitation failures can have serious consequences. They allow
flies to "carve out morphologically non-competitive, available niches in
micro areas and macro areas. Lack of sanitation can create favourable niches
and "refuges" where some flies can survive and thrive even if the
widespread population is controlled. This can lead to persistent fly
infestations, increased risk of food contamination, and potential health
hazards. Therefore, maintaining proper sanitation is not just a matter of
cleanliness but a crucial aspect of effective fly control and food facility
management.
The
appearance, presence, and persistence of flying insects in a food facility are
symptoms of sanitation system failure and "ultimately a disease."
4. Sanitation tools can also be problematic.
Compressed air
and pressure washers can push residues into crevices and hard-to-reach areas,
creating microenvironments that serve as sources and harbourage points for
pests. Precisely controlled use of these tools will help prevent this. Runoff
and dust should not move uncontrolled through the work area.
Cleaning
practices can also contribute to floor deterioration, accumulating moist
organic matter on deteriorated floors. As moisture is critical in providing the
right conditions for larval development, managing all water on site is vital.
All equipment should be used according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Cleaning and sanitation tools should also be cleaned and maintained so they do
not introduce contaminants into the site.
Integration of Steps:
Eliminating flying insect attractants around the facility, implementing barrier practices to prevent flies from entering the facility, and reducing food and shelter through cleaning and sanitation (of both the facility and the tools used for cleaning and sanitation) are critical components of a complete fly management programme. None of them alone can make your facility fly-free, but when integrated as a four-step programme, they can differentiate between safe, quality food and contamination.
