Protecting businesses: 5 Things to Know About treating Stored Product Insects

Stored product insects (SPIs) can be a nightmare for businesses dealing with food products, raw materials, or commodities. Pests such as beetles, weevils, moths, and mites infest goods and can cause significant damage to product quality and business reputation. They burrow deep into the product during the storage or transportation process, often going undetected until the infestation is well advanced. By that stage, it becomes complicated to treat without damage to the goods.

Advanced SPI infestations are costly to businesses so measures such as fogging and lures offer a cost effective alternative. Here are five facts about Rentokil Initial’s treatment for SPI’s:

Total Pest Eradication

SPI treatment differs from other pest control approaches because the treatment needs to penetrate deeply into the product to successfully eradicate the infestation. This is especially important when dealing with commodities in bulk, like grains, flour, or pet food, where insects can burrow deep within the product or packaging. Fogging is typically the standard approach to SPI treatment because it introduces food safe gases into a sealed environment, where they permeate all areas, including cracks, crevices, and packaging materials.

Food Safe

Our fogging treatments involve the use of FAO approved and internationally certified food grade chemicals that are lethal to insects at every stage of their life cycle without tainting food products or leaving residue behind. Sufficient time is allotted for the treatment to penetrate and then ventilate.

Moth lures are a highly effective, environmentally treatment method which utilize synthetically produced pheromone dispensers to confuse male moths and disrupt the breeding cycle. The end result is a significant decrease in moth infestation in a short period of time.

Highly regulated

Fogging of SPI’s is a highly regulated treatment and Rentokil complies with both local and international safety standards relating to the treatment of food and other consumer goods. The client’s site is prepared in advance to ensure all safety protocols are followed and areas to be treated are thoroughly sealed off.

Minimal downtime

The first step in Rentokil’s SPI treatment is a thorough site inspection to assess the type of pest, level of infestation, the type of stored product, and the facility’s layout. This enables our pest experts to devise a tailored treatment plan that minimises disruption to business operations while achieving maximum results.

Ongoing Support

Because the threat of SPI infestation is a year round issue, Rentokil Initial provides post-treatment services such as regular inspections, monitoring for any signs of re-infestation, and offering advice on preventive measures such as improved storage practices, improvements to sanitation practices, and integrated pest management (IPM) strategies.

When it comes to SPI treatment, like any pest control approach, prevention is always the best strategy. There are many preventive steps businesses can take to protect themselves against SPI’s. We encourage our clients to ensure they have strict checks, controls and sanitation procedures in place, proper storage techniques, stock rotation, correct temperature and humidity levels in facilities and an ongoing pest monitoring programme.

Don't let SPI infections impact your bottom line and reputation...Get in touch!

Getting an SPI infestation under control typically requires expert help. A multi-step approach is recommended to completely eliminate an infestation and prevent recurrence. If you’re ready to get rid of SPIs for good, get in touch.

Call us on 246 429 3546 or contact us online and we’ll contact you within 24 hours to help you control these pests at your business premises.