A tale of two facilities: Impact of sanitation on the effectiveness and reliability of pest management programs in two food processing facilities

Effective sanitation has been a goal in the food processing industry, but its role in pest management has only recently been investigated. Two food processing facilities in the Midwest were audited for sanitation practices and observed for the effectiveness of pest control and monitoring techniques. Facility A scored higher on overall sanitation practices (92%) than Facility B (71%). Fumigation bioassays of adult and egg T. castaneum showed slightly greater effectiveness on egg mortality in Facility A (Egg mortality= 100%) than in Facility B (Egg mortality=94%). Differences in effectiveness on adult mortality were negligible (Facility A= 100%; Facility B=99%). Population growth rate in the two facilities also differed. Trap data collected for four months after fumigation showed a consistent growth pattern of T. castaneum populations in Facility A. Population counts in Facility B varied from among collection periods. Both facility managers stated that neither facility has been obligated to reject product due to insect infestation, though Facility B rejects approximately 15 tons of finished product a month due to quality issues. Both facilities spend similar amounts on sanitation (Facility A= ~$5,643.66/month; Facility B= ~$5,952/month), while Facility B spends almost twice as much on control measures (~$4,666.67/month) than Facility A (~$2,596.93/month). The similarities in sanitation expenditures, but differences in control costs, reflect the attitudes of the facility managers regarding what was the most important element of pest control (Facility A: Sanitation; Facility B: Fumigation). Attitude towards sanitation seems to have a larger impact on control costs than monetary investment in sanitation.