Working the Bugs Out: Your Guide to Supply Chain Pest Management

Last Updated: September 11, 2019

Home / The Orkin Blog / Working the Bugs Out: Your Guide to Supply Chain Pest Management

Pests like cockroaches, flies and rodents can contaminate products at any point in the supply chain. Whether they are introduced before, during or after product enters your facility, you don’t want your business to be blamed for a pest problem. That’s why we developed this comprehensive guide to identifying and addressing pest problems in the supply chain. Here are the key takeaways to keep in mind:

Facility Inspections

Catching a pest problem early on can save your team from a pest-provoked headache in the long run. That’s why it is critical to perform routine inspections of your facility and check shipments upon arrival. If you catch a pest problem upon arrival of a shipment, you can accurately diagnose the problem and better identify the point at which pests contaminated the product. Your Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program should include protocols for these inspections, but be sure to review your procedures as pest pressures change throughout the year to avoid an infestation.

Pest Hotspots

Pests are sneaky and can manage to work their way into any facility. Keep an eye on these potential pest hotspots for signs of pest activity.

Processing facilities

Your facility and your suppliers’ facilities all offer plenty of food, water and shelter that pests need to survive. Check around your facility and be sure that your suppliers are maintaining IPM programs in their own facilities.

Transportation vehicles

If transportation vehicles are harbouring pests, your facility’s cleanliness does not matter in the grand scheme of things. Check vehicles for signs of pest activity before loading shipments.

Packaging

Packaging can tell you a lot about the integrity of product. Check for chew marks, holes, urine stains and discarded wings when you receive a shipment.

Warehouses

Because there are so many moving pieces coming in and out of your warehouses every day, routine monitoring is needed to ensure no pest problem slips through the cracks.

Staying ahead of pest problems is the best way to protect your leg of the supply chain. Work the bugs out of your facility by downloading this guide to managing pests in the supply chain and call Orkin Canada today to schedule a free consultation.

Guide to keeping pests out of logistics

Find your local branch

National coverage, local expertise. With over 30 branches across Canada, your neighbourhood Orkin Pros have an in-depth knowledge of the pest pressures in your local area. View all branches here or select your closest city from the menu below.

You may also like

Canada's Top 25 Bed Bug Cities Of 2023

Bed bugs are extremely efficient hitch hikers. They can move easily across a room and climb onto luggage or anything left on a bed in just one night. Learn which cities have made Canada’s top 25 bed buggiest cities.

British Columbia's Top 20 'Rattiest' Cities 2023

As winter approaches, pest control leader Orkin Canada reminds homeowners and business owners to take precautions to help keep rodents out. Cities are ranked by the number of rodent (rat & mice) treatments the company performed from August 1, 2021 through July 31, 2022.

Ontario's Top 25 "Rattiest" Cities 2023

Pest control leader Orkin Canada reminds home owners and business owners to take precautions to help keep rodents out. Cities are ranked by the number of rodent (rat & mice) treatments the company performed from August 1, 2022 through July 31, 2023. This ranking includes both residential and commercial treatments.

Eastern Canada's Top 15 'Rattiest' Cities 2023

As winter approaches, pest control leader Orkin Canada reminds homeowners and business owners to take precautions to help keep rodents out. Cities are ranked by the number of rodent (rat & mice) treatments the company performed from August 1, 2021 through July 31, 2022.

Remove pests from your business, and stop them from coming back

We work hard to listen, understand and assess your unique situation. Request a free, no-obligation consultation today for a customized pest program that fits your needs.

Request a Free Business Consultation
Request a Free Home Estimate