10 replies to this topic

[Ptinid]

Thought you might enjoy this.....


I recently called on a client who has just had a large retailer audit of their site.

During the external walk-round (checking perimeter boxes and general hygiene), a young deer was spotted by the auditor emerging briefly from woodland about 800 meters away.

Yes, you've guessed it! He asked what control measures the Pest Controllers (us) had in place to control the deer on the site. Maybe it was a joke, but the client was not amused.

Anybody else got any tall tales?

[Charles.C]

Dear Ptinid,

Nice one. And very environmentally correct.

Have you seen this thread? - http://www.ifsqn.com...dpost__p__28279

New ones welcome of course

Rgds / Charles.C

[Bunny]

A PCO recently on site been asked by an auditor undertaking a BRC audit has been asked to reassure him that there are no allergens in the rodenticides used on site.

That`s really throwing one out of left field.

Bunny

[Charles.C]

Dear Bunny,



I suppose it was just possible the auditor was a member of link below.

http://ratfanclub.org/links.html

Rgds / Charles.C

[Florin1980]

Very funny. I've been in a warehouse to a supplier and I was amazed to see two cats walking,dancing all over the place. The manager of the warehouse told me that this is the best trap for the mousses...
Another different ideas, I would like to ask you what is your opinion about the product that looks like cheese but it is made only by vegetable fats. We are invaded of this kind of products

[Foodworker]

Good Morning Bunny

I don't think I was the auditor the PCO was referring too, but it could have been.

It is a question that I have asked on some sites, particularly if they are making a claim that the site is nut free or allergen other free, or if the site is doing its own pest control.

With me it stemmed from seeing pesticide coated peanuts spilling out of a bait box inside a factory I was auditing in Spain a few years ago. Other allergens often used in bait boxes are gluten (wheat) and milk (from chocolate baits - less common)

I ask the question not so much to catch them out and raise a non conformity, but to encourage them to think about allergens more widely and not just those in the ingredients list.

[Charles.C]

Dear foodworker,

I ask the question not so much to catch them out and raise a non conformity, but to encourage them to think about allergens more widely and not just those in the ingredients list.

Yeah, right

Regardless, excellent logic IMO. I wondered what you suggested as a preferred alternative – are there certified allergen-free baits (to humans ) ?

Actually, I had assumed in Bunny’s case that the bait system referred was in the “field”. (Didn’t know that rabbits were directionally superstitious).

External systems may of course enrage pet-loving neighbours. Add two-legged pests.

Rgds / Charles.C

[Bunny]

Interesting thought though Foodworker.

If you consider that almost 99% rodenticides will now be wheat based either whole, cut or pasta bait bases, then if there should be any issues with allergens in a particular plant then there are no real rodenticide alternatives in the uk.

Since the BPD the list of available compounds and baits formulations has shrunk dramatically, no contact gels or dusts by 2011 and glue boards have a very strict code of use in the uk requiring inspections daily.

The only real alternative in those cases will be the AIB route with traps only in production and storage areas, and that will cost addtional visits

Happy days then

Bunny

[Ptinid]

No question that this is the direction the industry is going generally, with the Tesco spec, AIB and others refusing toxic baits inside some or all buildings. The industry response still seems to be 'non-tox' in some form. More companies, happily, are going the trapping route now which makes more sense.

I've certainly been asked about allergens in our toxic baits, and have simply replied that they are there, but the bait is a paste, inside a loxked box, secured in location. So far, that has been sufficient.

With regard to increased visits for trapping boxes - there is no requirement to do so, although it is good practice. We train customers staff to spot traps that have been set off during walk-rounds and re-set them. If a mouse is taken, then we are notified and can get into detection/control mode. It does add a small amount of time to a walk-round, but if controlled properly, is worth doing.

Interesting thought though Foodworker.

If you consider that almost 99% rodenticides will now be wheat based either whole, cut or pasta bait bases, then if there should be any issues with allergens in a particular plant then there are no real rodenticide alternatives in the uk.

Since the BPD the list of available compounds and baits formulations has shrunk dramatically, no contact gels or dusts by 2011 and glue boards have a very strict code of use in the uk requiring inspections daily.

The only real alternative in those cases will be the AIB route with traps only in production and storage areas, and that will cost addtional visits

Happy days then

Bunny

[Charles.C]

Dear All,

?

Happy days then

Not for rabbits apparently. Blame it on Red Adair ?

Must admit all very interesting but this was originally a humorous thread.

More companies, happily, are going the trapping route now which makes more sense.

How about the Wiley Coyote option ?

Rgds / Charles.C

[Ptinid]

Oops - Sorry. Got 'hung up' on technical issues.

We've just introduced a new audit document to check our own people's work with our clients. This should be a rich vein of anecdotes - possibly from both sides of the auditing desk.

I'll let you know...............