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Happy
New Year |
Happy New Year to all, we wish you all the best for a happy, healthy
and
prosperous 2006. The heat and humidity of the Australian summer
has well
and truly kicked in with pest populations on the move in all areas.
There
is plenty of news on all fronts from Pest IT – product profiles,
marketing
initiatives, technical articles and new products.
In 2006 we will continue to include information in
our newsletter relating
to our pest management regulatory, marketing, installation and product
expertise. Please review In Touch as we are confident that there
is
information important to all Australian pest managers.
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Technical Article |
Keeping Food Safe - The pest manager’s role in food safety
Dr.Sali Bache
Each year 5.4 million Australians are estimated to suffer from
food
poisoning. Contaminated food causes approximately 18,000 hospitalisations
and 120 deaths in Australia every year. Standards for the preparation,
handling and storage of foods apply Australia wide. Professional
pest
managers need to assist their clients both to be aware of the relevant
food
standards that apply to pest control in food services and production
areas,
and to share responsibility with their client for meeting these
standards.
Food standards differ from state to state. Australian food standards
all are based upon the Food Standards Code which is administered
by the Food Standards Australia NZ (formerly ANZFA). ANZFA was created
so as to provide a nationwide uniform food safety standard setting
system. It is not a traditional government department but is instead
established under a federal law which in theory means that the Authority
is relatively free from political influence. Food standards created
by ANZFA are then implemented via various State and Territory food
or health laws.
Standard 3 of the Commonwealth Food Standards Code deals
with the processing of food, the condition of premises and equipment,
and food handlings. This section contains those portions of most
relevance to pest control.
Standard 3.1.1
Division 2
Food is not suitable if it …
(4) (d) contains a biological … agent … that is
foreign to the nature of the food.
In addition to requiring that no pests find their way into food,
this standard is often interpreted to encourage the use of glue
board – not electronic – UV fly units. The preference
for glue board units is derived from concerns that fly parts will
be “exploded” on impact with the electronic grid, or
will blow out of the tray in the bottom. Even though EFK units exist
with AC transformers and draft protectors (such as the Nemesis
range) it is strongly advised, and a requirement of many health
inspectors, that glue board units be used in all food preparation
and handling areas.
Other sections of the Food Standards Code more directly
require pest control stating that:
Standard 3.2.2
Division 3
(7) A food business must
(b) when processing food –
(i) take all necessary steps to prevent the likelihood of
food being contaminated.
Division 24
(1) A food business must –
(c) take all practicable measures to prevent pests entering
the food premises…
(d) take all practicable measures to eradicate and prevent the
harbourage of pests on the food premises …
Standard 3.2.3
Division 2
(3) The design and construction of food premises must –
(d) to the extent practicable –
(ii) not permit the entry of pests; and
(iii) not provide for harbourage of pests.
The law is currently outcome based and hence details of the methods
needed to achieve adequate pest control are not specified in the
code. These sections have, however, been translated into more detailed
legislation in each of the States and Territories in Australia (specifics
will be detailed in subsequent issues of In Touch).
In addition to these provisions on pest control the Food Standards
Code also contains requirements throughout to reduce the likelihood
of food becoming contaminated and provisions on minimum contaminant
residues. A contaminant is defined as any biological or chemical
agent, foreign matter, or other substance that may compromise food
safety or suitability. In this regard it is strongly advisable that
all pest managers use lockable rodent or mouse stations to prevent
food contamination and/or use non-rodenticide based means of mouse
and rat control on food premises (see link to AF
Snappa and AF
Rat Box). Similarly, insecticides need to be applied in a manner
so as to ensure that they do not contaminate food.
An Australian Standard also exists for “Food Safety Management
Systems”, which is identical to that of the International
Standards Organisation (ISO 22000). Australian Standards are industry
best practice and Standards Australia is recognised by the Australian
Government as the nation's peak standards writing body. Standards
Australia prepares and publishes voluntary, technical and commercial
standards for use in Australia. Australian Standards are, however,
published by a public company and hence are not a formal part of
the Australian government food safety process. Although having no
legislative basis, it is advisable to follow Australian Standards
in particular in self-regulated industries.
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Marketing
your business with postcards |
Using postcards to build your business
 In
recent years, a number of our clients have conducted a successful
series of targeted campaigns to build their business in commercial
pest management.
A direct mail campaign is fundamental in gaining name recognition
and awareness in your service portfolio for your service area. You
can use our professionally designed postcards to introduce your
business to new customers or offer a new service (bird and fly management)
to existing clients.
How to use postcards….
The graphic design teams at both Bird Barrier and PestWest have
designed a series of professional postcards. All are in the convenient
DL envelope size for easy mailing. These can be mailed to existing
and potential clients on lists that you may already have. Additional
lists of potential clients are readily available for purchase for
specific industries, areas and decision makers. The most successful
campaigns to date have been conducted with Australia Post support.
Did you know that you can have your literature placed in the post
boxes at your local post office or sent to all businesses in a given
area? It is surprisingly inexpensive!
Who to target…
Food services – supermarkets, cafes and restaurants
Food production – manufactures, distributors and food storage
Government – local councils, town centers, state and federal
departments
Facilities managers – building owners, shopping centre
managers, and building maintenance firms
Domestic – there is a growing need for bird control in
homes
Transport – rail stations, bus shelters, trucking depots,
roads & traffic authorities
Sporting facilities – grandstands, indoor and outdoor stadiums
Contact the team at Pest IT to see how our marketing programs can
help grow your business.
Next issue of In Touch we will introduce our new “Lead
Referral Cards”. These are designed to get your technicians
and sales personnel involved in locating and growing new business.
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Special
Offer for March 2006 |
Personalised postcards with your March 2006 purchases
Now is the time to start promoting your bird or fly management
services to ensure you and your technicians are busy during winter/spring.
YES, its time to start now! We have printed a series of colour postcards
and with each purchase Pest IT will overprint your company details
and a special offer to promote your business. Alternatively, you
may wish to purchase the postcards in 1000 lots for larger campaigns.
Contact Pest IT Pty. Ltd. on 1300 66 56 57 for details.
Killgerm FREE Offer
Order AF Rat Boxes in March 2006 and receive AF Advanced Mouse
Boxes FREE. Now is the ideal time to experience these advanced forms
of rodent management devices – Just in time for the rodent
season. Contact Pest IT Pty. Ltd. on 1300 66 56 57 for details.
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Product
Profile – Demi-Diamond™ traps |
We are receiving excellent reports from the field this season for Demi-Diamond™ traps
Reports on the effectiveness of Demi-Diamond™ traps for both monitoring and controlling small populations of fruit flies (Drosophila) and stored product moths (Ephestia/Plodia Sp.) have been very encouraging. Pictured left is a Demi-Diamond™ trap with the moth glueboard pheromone matrix covered in Ephestia interpunctella and Plodia cautella caught in a matter of weeks. Many pest managers representing hundreds of facilities Australia-wide have found that this new device has been effective and saved significant costs when compared to larger moth pots. For only a few dollars you can use these traps for monitoring in food services and production areas, as well as domestic pantries.
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Myna
Magnet |
Myna Magnet to be launched in March 2006
Finally, the Myna Magnet traps will arrive in Australia at the
end of March. We would like to thank the many pest managers waiting
for this exciting new product for their patience. There are still
some traps available in the first shipment, but be quick as they
won’t last long. Myna Magnet is the first REAL tool for the
population reduction and eradication of destructive Indian mynas
and European starlings. For more details and technical information,
contact us on 1300 66 56 57.
Click
here to read the Myna Magnet brochure>>
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Noah's
Tool Time |
Cordless Net Ring Tool
We recently added a Cordless Net Ring Tool to our range of products.
After using this on several installations during training days,
we see this as an ideal tool for small to medium net jobs. Being
cordless, there is no need for compressors and hoses. This tool
is also streets ahead of using the dreaded (and sometimes unreliable)
hand net ring tool. The battery will power the discharge of 1000+
net rings, and a spare battery (optional extra) can be on stand-by
if needed. There is still no substitute to the air powered pneumatic
net ring tool for the big installations, but this handy tool will
have its place for the professional net installer.
We have a full range of tools available to purchase separately,
or in kit form (net ring tools, nail guns, cable cutters, crimping
tools, etc) with net rings and pins - SAVE $$$$.
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Industry
Events |
FAOPMA 2006, 26-29th July 2006 Brisbane
The Australian Environmental Pest Managers Association invites
you to attend the FAOPMAustralia Conference in July 2006 and can
assure you of a great conference and a memorable time. Brisbane
is the ideal place for the FAOPMA Conference. This conference will
combine the annual AEPMA National Conference and the FAOPMA International
Conference. As well as a great location AEPMA also have planned
an exceptional conference for all delegates. Internationally renowned
speakers will present on termites, vector control, rodents, Red
Imported Fire Ants plus other subjects that you as a pest manager
will need to know.
See http://www.faopmaustralia.org/
for details.
Pest IT will have a very strong presence at FAOPMA 2006 with displays
by Pest IT, Killgerm, PestWest and Bird Barrier. This will be your
first opportunity to see new products including Sundew Mirage, Titan
300, Myna Magnet, and much more.
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Next
issue of In Touch |
Update on Asian Bird Flu
Dr Sali Bache will publish an update on the status of the Asian
Bird Flu situation in the next issue of In Touch. There have been
new outbreaks in several European countries resulting in multiple
fatalities presenting a major concern that a global pandemic could
still be a reality.
Our Dr Bache will also present a paper on Avian Influenza at the
FAOPMA 2006 conference in Brisbane.
Click
here to read more on Dr Sali Bache’s recent article>>
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Need
more brochures? |
We have recently reprinted brochures from the Killgerm and PestWest
range
for our clients.
Call us on 1300 66 56 57 should you need copies for your
clients.
More brochures are being launched on our new brochure page on a
regular basis. New versions of the Bird Barrier Spike, Myna Magnet and Sundew
brochures have been launched this week. Visit www.pestIT.com/brochures.html for details.
We invite you to contact Pest IT for all your commercial pest management
product requirements - Call 1300 66 56 57. For more information
on Pest IT
Pty. Ltd. or our range of products and services, please visit
www.pestIT.com.
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The Australian home of
Killgerm,
Bird Barrier and PestWest products. |
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