Pest Control Program: Inspection Frequency

We currently use mechanical traps outside and glue traps inside our facilty. My question for all of you is, what is the standard frequency a contracted pest control company should come by to complete the inspection? Right now we have a company set up on a bi-weekly basis, however in a effort to save money (we're a small family owned company) we were considering cutting back to once a month and allowing the other weekly insections to be completed in house. Would this okay in the eyes of an auditor?

As for our inspection history our facility has never had a rodent, bird, mammal, etc. finding. 

Thanks for the help!

it really depends on the pest activity in your plant as well as the product and risk of pests to the product. (Risk assessment).

We are a spice/seasoning manufacturer, so we have a contract of weekly because the product easily can attract all types of pests.

We also have a only storage warehouse that is contracted monthly. This is because the product is sealed and boxed up unlike the manufacturer has a higher risk of pest infestation.

Perform a Pest Risk Assessment and see how your results look.

Also what your pest contractor recommends. 

I would expect a monthly frequency to be fine as long as you can prove you do not have much pest activity (which is uncommon) and you are not creating more risks due to your change in frequency. Make sure to write up a risk assessment and explain why your changing your frequency. If you are going to perform checks yourself, in conjunction with the PCO, you will need to make sure you get some sort of training. Depending on whether or not your company is certified under a specific standard, that would need to be considered too. 

Depending on where you're located, the weather will be a factor you need to consider in your risk assessment. Being in the Midwest, what our pest control operator needs to do changes based upon the season. For example, we have light traps that are turned off in the winter. If anything, you'll be able to go weekly instead of bi-weekly.

Thanks for the input everybody.

We do currently complete trap inspections on the weeks our contracted pest management company doesnt come by. So,each week every trap is getting looked at, either by myself or by our contracted team. We wouldnt be decreasing the actual frequency of inspections, just simply the inspector. Do you think this kind of change would still need a full risk assessment? 

We are audited against PRIMUSGFS Standards and from section 5.02.05 -"There shoudl be an effective, proactive pest control program (in-house or contracted) to control rodents (also insects, reptiles, and birds where necessary) and prevent infestation."

As for location, we're loctaed in the bay area. 

Thanks again!

I've done exactly that, had the contractor monthly and had crew check traps weekly. Was perfectly fine for SQF.

CoBP_Pest_Management_Alliance_Humane_Rodent_Glue_Boards.pdf   230.34KB   94 downloads

As long as your customer's don't have any specific requirements (larger companies may do) there is no standard frequency for checking glue boards in USA https://www.humaneso...ces/glue-boards

There is, however, in Europe (driven by UK retailers) see attached and the pest control contractor should be advising site (their customer) on appropriate frequency of checking.......but sometimes they don't as pest contractor visits every 12hrs are clearly impractical & so checks would need to involve site staff (company employees) who might not be trained?.