For all facilities, a pest control program must be established to exclude or eliminate rodents, birds, and insects from postharvest handling and storage areas. If pest activity is found, methods to reduce or eliminate activity should be developed. This might include installing bird netting under roofs, adding screens to windows, or setting traps. Traps should never be baited inside the packing area, as this may draw more pests into the area. The program should include regular monitoring and corrective actions if pest activity is found. In open air packing facilities, pest control is much more difficult, therefore precautions must be taken to keep produce covered and away from any potential pest contamination.

* See Pest/Rodent Control Log.

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