11 replies to this topic

[Claudia_QP]

Hello everyone, we have an inhouse pest control but with external consultancy. The consultant says that we should spread a chemical (non production hours) that solidifies in walls, and acts like a long term control measure against flies. The procces is egg selection, and the product is not likely to be in contact with walls (13 meters from machine). So, once the product is applied should not represent a hazard, but is there any regulation that mentions/prohibits this practice?

[Charles.C]

Dear guillenclau,

If i understand correctly, some of this chemical will appear on the surface of the walls, ie theoretically (directly/indirectly) contacting the product?. I presume it bonds to the wall so that normal cleaning processes will (certifiably) not remove it?.

One basic question is - Is it (certified) safe for food contact ?.(and the wall material itself also of course ).

this is similar to questions for food companies painting walls etc

Rgds / Charles.C

PS it sounds similar to the procedure used to insulate cold room walls by injecting expandable (polyurethane?) chemicals internally into the wall cavity but in this case the result is typically a sandwich structure with the external food contact surface unaltered or clad with another layer, eg stainless sheeting.

[Claudia_QP]

Dear guillenclau,

If i understand correctly, some of this chemical will appear on the surface of the walls, ie theoretically (directly/indirectly) contacting the product?. I presume it bonds to the wall so that normal cleaning processes will (certifiably) not remove it?.

One basic question is - Is it (certified) safe for food contact ?.(and the wall material itself also of course ).

this is similar to questions for food companies painting walls etc

Rgds / Charles.C

PS it sounds similar to the procedure used to insulate cold room walls by injecting expandable (polyurethane?) chemicals internally into the wall cavity but in this case the result is typically a sandwich structure with the external food contact surface unaltered or clad with another layer, eg stainless sheeting.

Hello Charles, I am not sure if the chemical they want to use, it is food contact certified (at least they say it is approved by the national health department), however, the wall material it is.

According to the consultant, the chemical washes off with regular cleaning, so they will have to do the application after each cleaning (walls) if neccesary.
The walls will hardly get in contact with the product (probably never) since they are moved around in warehouse carts.

The chemical is liquid during application and dries out on the wall, leaving a tiny layer to kill flies.

[Charles.C]

Dear guillenclau,

Thks for info.

Just as a thought, what about the risk of wall > people > eggs?.

IMEX, food contact safety status is a routine requirement for wall coatings even when the chemicals don't wash off.

Again IMEX, fly spray chemicals when used indoors in production areas typically require subsequent washing down of all exposed surfaces. But maybe this is some new super-safe product XYZ.

Rgds / Charles.C

[bsv]

It is better to chemically treat pest on outside, should be making a protective circle with spraying on outside of the factory, that will not contaminate the food surfaces inside the production area. The pheromone traps can be use effectively for pests.

[Madam A. D-tor]

Dear guillenclau,

What is the root cause of you having so many flies inside, that you have to kill them with impregnated walls?
Is there really a need for these strong measures or is your consultant just want to sell something to you?

How often do you clean your walls? Weekly? Monthly? Quarterly?
How about your floors and machinery? If you clean those, will this wetten your walls? If so, will the chemical washed of with this?

These are just some questions for you, to help you with your decision.
If you feel there is a need to control flies with this measure and your consultant can proof that it is approved by national health department you can use it.
Check the approval of the health department. Maybe it is saying in which cases it is allowed/approved. If it said that is approved for households and farms, you better not use it.

If you use this stuff, please share your experience on this forum.

If you decide to use this stuff, please make sure that you also investigate the root cause and take preventive actions. E.g.: keep doors closed, clean and tidy work area, airflow, remove waste in appropriate frequency, etc.

[Claudia_QP]

What is the root cause of you having so many flies inside, that you have to kill them with impregnated walls?
Is there really a need for these strong measures or is your consultant just want to sell something to you?

Hello Madam A. D-tor , well we have "some" flies, but I would not say there too many. The problem was in personnel dressing room that was separated from production by a room in between (hand and shoe washing area). I wondered why there were flies only there and not in production (there are a few but is acceptable) considering that the possible attraction is higher. So, the consultant mentioned that probably there was a problem with the plumbing work in the bathroom (unefficient gas elimination). So, we fixed that problem, and flies are gone!

How often do you clean your walls? Weekly? Monthly? Quarterly?
How about your floors and machinery? If you clean those, will this wetten your walls? If so, will the chemical washed of with this?

Walls are cleaned monthly, and floors and machinery daily. Regardin to dreessing rooms, bathrooms and floor in general are cleaned daily, walls, and lockers weekly. The idea of putting the chemical on walls is that the flies would be attracted there before getting close to the machine.
I am thinking that with those glue traps will be enough to control the amount of flies that do come in.

Thank you for your answer!

Edited by guillenclau, 27 July 2011 - 04:00 PM.

[Claudia_QP]

Dear guillenclau,

Thks for info.

Just as a thought, what about the risk of wall > people > eggs?.

IMEX, food contact safety status is a routine requirement for wall coatings even when the chemicals don't wash off.

Again IMEX, fly spray chemicals when used indoors in production areas typically require subsequent washing down of all exposed surfaces. But maybe this is some new super-safe product XYZ.

Rgds / Charles.C

You are right Charles, it would be difficult to asure that the chemical wont reach unwanted areas.

[dgsorg]

Seal openings, use screens or air curtains or whatever it takes to keep the flies out. Then use a non-residual fogger at a time when not in production. The fogger is hazardous for only a certain period of time (although I would still recommend a thorough wash down post application just to err on the side of caution). Key issue is to prevent fly entry to facility.

[Charles.C]

Seal openings, use screens or air curtains or whatever it takes to keep the flies out. Then use a non-residual fogger at a time when not in production. The fogger is hazardous for only a certain period of time (although I would still recommend a thorough wash down post application just to err on the side of caution). Key issue is to prevent fly entry to facility.

Dear dgsorg,

Interesting post. Thanks.

I hv never encountered an internal factory fogging procedure where a subsequent wash-down procedure was not mandated.
Hv not been active in this equipment area recently but IMEX suppliers of "non-hazardous" sprayed components never claim that un-necessary to do a wash-down. Can you validate yr statement with a link to a product (I had a quick look on Google but unsuccessful)?

Secondly, I doubt that many (any?) producers would take the risk of simply covering all the static exposed equipment as a reliable preventive measure for ensuring no corpses turning up in the finished product. Maybe other posters will prove me wrong of course.

Rgds / Charles.C

[Dr Ajay Shah]

There are chemicals that you can apply as a fog mist tusing a fogging machine to control flies etc and this needs to be conducted by a trained and accredited practioner such as a pest control contractor who is liceneced to conduct this and he/she can also guide you accordingly. One cannot spray chemicals whilst the products are being manufactured. The equipment is covered with plastic covering to protect it from the fine mist which would otherwise settle. Once the area has been fogged and left overnight, the wall, ceiling etc should be washed down and equipmet too before commencing any production.

Edited by Dr Ajay Shah, 19 August 2011 - 03:59 AM.

[dgsorg]

Charles,

My error! I actually was only considering the residual effects of the chemical and not all the dead critters and apparently was having a grainery mindset when I answered that question!

Thanks!

Dear dgsorg,

Interesting post. Thanks.

I hv never encountered an internal factory fogging procedure where a subsequent wash-down procedure was not mandated.
Hv not been active in this equipment area recently but IMEX suppliers of "non-hazardous" sprayed components never claim that un-necessary to do a wash-down. Can you validate yr statement with a link to a product (I had a quick look on Google but unsuccessful)?

Secondly, I doubt that many (any?) producers would take the risk of simply covering all the static exposed equipment as a reliable preventive measure for ensuring no corpses turning up in the finished product. Maybe other posters will prove me wrong of course.

Rgds / Charles.C