Keeping flies away from food

KEEPING FLIES AWAY FROM FOOD

Few people will return to a café, restaurant or deli that has made them sick because of contaminated foodstuffs. Therefore any business that deals with food needs a strategy for dealing with flies which can be a major carrier of these germs.

The Law

The hospitality industry in Australia is governed by strict regulations laid out in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (FSANZ)
The code is designed to ensure that all food bought and sold in this country is safe, wholesome and uncontaminated.

Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP)

HACCP is a system for controlling potential hazards at critical points in the production of food and is considered the standard for safety in the food industry. Flying insects are considered a risk to food safety due to their potential to carry disease and bacteria; an effective insect control strategy is therefore essential.

Know your enemy; Facts about flies

• Flies lay eggs on rotting waste, garbage and animal excrement
• They can lay 150 eggs in 24 hours
• They are able to travel long distances
• Flies carry bacteria and can transmit diseases such as Salmonella, Listeria and E-Coli
• Flies are unable to see light traps from 30 meters away, but respond to them within 3 to 4 meters
• Flies usually travel within 2 meters of the floor and use UV rays to navigate

Light trap options

UV light traps can be a highly effective way to deal with flies in food handling areas. Here are a couple of the best options from Agserv.

Agserv FLT Black Light Insect Killer and Brandenburg’s Genus Cobra LED Fly Trap

• Units are stylishly slim and discreet while being strong and durable
• Excellent efficiency ensures successful control and creates a comfortable living space
• High-grade UVA tubes are completely harmless to humans and other mammals
• The tubes can lasts for up to one year
• The glue boards are large and effective offering silent and environmentally friendly insect control
• There are no fumes, no smell, no mess no noise and no pollution
• The front mesh can be easily removed to replace glue boards or tubes
• Ideal for indoor use in houses and commercial premises such as factories, food production areas and hospitals, they both meet with HACCP requirements

Placing your light trap

Consider the following factors before placing your light traps.

• Steer clear of competing light sources
• Ask staff where they have noticed flies
• Ensure easy access for maintenance
• Focus on intercepting flies before they get to the food
• Target potential breeding sites
• Place traps away from air blowing outlets such as A/C or heaters

Glue board traps are recommended by health inspectors for any area where food is handled. This is primarily due to a concern that flies may explode on impact with an electronic light trap. Old style zappers without glue boards no longer meet safety requirements.

Maintaining light traps and glue boards

• Replace tubes regularly; tubes are ineffective when below 50% output
• Wipe inside & outside of insect light trap at least twice each week
• Replace glue boards when they are covered with flies, or every 4-6 weeks depending on the season