Don’t let pests hitch a ride into your facility

The changing fall colors don’t just signal the coming of winter. In the supply chain industry, fall also means pests will be seeking shelter in your facilities. Among these pests are psocids, which are tiny insects that eat mold and mildew and love damp environments.

Often these hard-to-see pests will hitch a ride into production areas and distribution centers on pallets. However, a few simple steps can help supply chain professionals prevent them from entering facilities.

• Never store pallets outside. Leaving pallets out in the elements creates the perfect environment for psocids.
• Always use dry pallets. Again, dampness is the enemy. Bring damp pallets into your facility and you’ve opened your doors to psocids. Send product out the door on damp pallets and you are extending their domain into the supply chain, leaving them free to roam inside trailers and the warehouses receiving your product. Don’t do it.
• Inspect trailers before receiving product. Remember, a food safety plan is only as strong as its weakest link. Even the cleanest facility is under threat when something enters. Make sure to inspect shipments and trailers before receiving product. Reject anything that looks suspect.
• Training. Staff should know exactly what they are looking for when receiving product. Implement a set training plan and solid SOPs to provide staff with the tools to keep pests out of your facility and supply chain. Don’t forget to test them periodically to ensure SOPs are being followed.

If you are interested in learning how to properly inspect for Psocid bugs, there are three simple videos linked below. These videos will show you how to inspect pallets and what a Psocid looks like. The key to avoiding these pests is controlling the source of your pallets, making sure the wood is fully dried in the pallet construction process, and never using a pallet that has been stored outside. Please note that Psocids, though important to control, are not harmful to food products. 

Psocid Inspection
Psocid Inspection Part 2
Identifying a Psocid With a Flashlight