Environmental Surveys Help Keep The Pests Away An environmental survey of any structure involves the inspection of the facility and the surrounding property to ascertain what conditions, if any, might support or contribute to a pest infestation. The inspector is trained to recognize those factors affecting potential pest infestations and then to investigate and analyze each one determining potential solutions to minimize their impact on possible infestations. Terminix Service Professionals, during the course of their normal duties, note any contributing conditions they discover during their services and report these to the customer via verbally and by written recommendations in the service report. A comprehensive environmental survey employs a systematic approach utilizing floor plans of the building and records of past pest activity (old pest control service reports), if such are available. By plotting current and previous pest activity, patterns may emerge which can help determine underlying causes contributing to infestations. A detailed report can be generated from the findings of the survey, which will help a building owner or manager implement long term solutions to present and potential pest activity. Rodent Exclusion Rats and mice may potentially enter buildings during any time of the year. Fall and winter are considered the "rodent season" as these pests crawl into homes and other structures searching for a new food supply, now that their natural supply of seeds outside are no longer available. By far, the most effective way to stop rodent invasions is to exclude them from the building. Buildings under good repair with few openings for rodents to enter experience few rodent invasions. "Rodent proofing" is a process where potential entry points are identified and steps taken to permanently close them or otherwise prevent rats or mice from gaining access. Mice can fit through an opening 1/4-inch or larger, otherwise a hole into which a pencil will fit. Effective rodent proofing requires finding and closing as many such openings as possible. In some cases, because rodents can gnaw their way inside, doors may require metal plates along the bottom or fitted around the corners. Doors should be kept closed, except if screen doors are present, and should have tight-fitting weatherstrips along all edges, especially the bottom. Large overhead doors, and rail doors, if present, require specialized weatherstrips to seal out rodents. All foundation and attic vents need to be equipped with tight-fitting screens and 1/4-inch hardware cloth to exclude both insects and rodents. Fly Control Flies are a consistent problem during the summer months, particularly for those facilities that prepare, process, or serve food. These pests have the potential to transmit bacteria to food products and thus are considered a viable threat to human health. Effective fly control consists of three components: sanitation, exclusion, and traps. The first step is to attract as few flies as possible to the building. A poor sanitary condition around the dumpster is the primary source for attracting flies. Clean dumpster areas where the trash is regularly removed experience far fewer flies than those where garbage and water are permitted to accumulate around the dumpster. From there, it is a short flight to the back door and into the facility. Despite even the best sanitation efforts outside, however, some flies will still find the area attractive. If the back door is left propped open or has cracks around the edges, flies can enter. Installing weather stripping along all edges of exterior doors and adjusting them so they close within a few seconds of opening can effectively exclude many flies that otherwise might enter. Doors need to be opened, however, sometimes frequently during the day, so flies will manage to get inside. A series of properly positioned insect light traps (ILTs) will attract and capture the vast majority of the flies that enter a building. ILTs need to be located at least 12 feet from doorways and be positioned to cover the area five feet and below above the floor. Traps placed above five feet will attract more moths and beetles than flies. Bird Control Pigeons and sparrows can cause significant problems for any type of facility. Besides the unsightly nature of droppings, nests, and feathers, pigeons can carry more than 25 different disease organisms. The best solution for long term relief from pest birds is to exclude them from the ledges, sills, and alcoves where they like to nest, loaf, and roost. In limited situations, sticky gels and bird spikes can deter birds from a favored roosting site. For long lengths of ledge, low voltage electric tracks can be installed that give a bird a slight shock when landing. Birds quickly learn to go elsewhere. For certain situations, the best solution is the installation of bird netting. Such netting, properly installed, is barely noticeable and effectively screens out all birds from accessing the ledges or windowsills. Other bird exclusion products that could be installed include Bird Coilr, Daddi-Long-Legsr, and in some cases, scare devices such as balloons. Each bird problem must be carefully surveyed and analyzed. Typically, a building will require several different methods to totally chase away the birds. Once installed, exclusion devices will last for years. Netting in areas protected from direct sunlight may last for ten years or longer. Terminix Termite Baiting System Subterranean termites cause considerable economic loss to property owners, totaling hundreds of millions of dollars. In 1995, Dow AgriSciences introduced a new concept in termite control-the SentriconTM Termite Colony Elimination System. Tamper-resistant stations are placed into the ground containing wood monitoring devices are placed into the ground and are inspected regularly. When termites are detected in any of the stations, those monitors are replaced with bait that contains an insect growth regulator (IGR). This IGR prevents termites from molting (shedding their skin) properly. As termites consume the bait, they begin dying. Carefully monitored independent studies have demonstrated the system can and does eliminate entire colonies of subterranean termites. Termite baiting is less intrusive than conventional liquid barrier termite control methods. First, no drilling of foundations or slabs is required. Bait stations are installed in the ground at strategic locations outside the structure. In addition, termite colonies are affected directly and commonly eliminated. Since more than one colony can possibly attack a single structure, the baiting system constantly monitors for new activity and takes direct action against the colonies threatening the structure. Fewer termites in the ground beneath the building greatly decrease the chances termites will invade the structure or cause significant damage. For more detailed information regarding this new technology, call your local Terminix Service Center or dial 1-800-TERMINIX. Terminix Five Step System Cockroaches can be a real problem for any home or business, but especially so in apartments, extended care facilities, and any building where food is processed, prepared or served. The German cockroach is by far the most serious pest in these buildings and can be difficult to eliminate. Terminix has developed a comprehensive system dedicated to eliminating existing infestations of cockroaches. The Terminix Five Step System takes into account all the harborages where cockroaches are likely to live and directs the appropriate technique at that site. By using integrated methodology, the Five-Step System overcomes many of the problems faced in dealing with German cockroaches. The five steps are: STEP ONE: Physical Removal Cockroaches are flushed from their harborages and are removed by vacuuming. Cockroaches found on exposed surfaces in shelving, on equipment, on carts, etc. are simply vacuumed without flushing. When seen, dead cockroaches, egg capsules, and food particles may also be removed. STEP TWO: Insider® Installation Terminix Insider® Wall Injection SystemTM are installed in all wall voids in the kitchen, in server stations, in the base of built-in stationary tables, in the base of built-in salad bars, and other voids where cockroaches are likely to hide. The Insider® permits easy periodic retreatment of these critical cockroach harborages. STEP THREE: Bait Placement Cockroach baits will be applied throughout the facility to control cockroaches that escape other control measures and new introductions of cockroaches. STEP FOUR: Treatment of Cracks and Voids Cracks and voids where cockroaches harbor are treated with a residual pest control material. STEP FIVE: IGR Application An insect growth regulator (IGR) will be applied as a long-term preventive measure against cockroaches. The IGR causes cockroaches to be unable to mate and reproduce. AIB Certification The American Institute of Baking (AIB) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion of a sound, safe food production system. This organization produces quality training materials and facilitates numerous seminars and workshops around the United States and the world. In addition, they offer an audit inspection service to help facilities ensure compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) as well as federal, state, and international food laws. Such audits are completed at the request of the company itself. AIB has developed a series of standards by which a facility should operate to minimize and prevent potential adulteration of food products. These standards vary slightly according to the type of facility and serve as the guide for the AIB auditor. Terminix is a member of AIB and has more than 100 employees certified in one or more AIB courses. It is our intent to ensure each Terminix professional assigned to an AIB-inspected or other food processing facility is familiar with the GMPs and standards expected in such facilities, particularly in regard to pest control.