Level 3 Food Safety Certificate Pest Control and Cleaning

Question 1

Which pests are most commonly found in food premises and pose the greatest food safety risk?

Accepted Answer

Rodents (rats and mice), cockroaches, flies, and stored product insects

Answer

Only rats

Answer

Only insects

Answer

Only birds

Question 2

What is 'integrated pest management' (IPM) in a food business context?

Accepted Answer

A systematic approach combining prevention, monitoring, and control measures to minimise pest activity without over-reliance on pesticides

Answer

Spraying pesticides on a fixed monthly schedule

Answer

Using only physical traps with no monitoring

Answer

A method exclusive to outdoor pest control

Question 3

What should a food business do if signs of a pest infestation are discovered?

Accepted Answer

Stop using affected areas immediately, report to management and the DSL (pest control contractor), identify entry points, and implement corrective actions including deep cleaning

Answer

Continue operations while monitoring the situation

Answer

Only call pest control if the infestation is severe

Answer

Dispose of affected food without recording the incident

Question 4

What is 'proofing' in pest control for food premises?

Accepted Answer

Physically sealing entry points such as gaps around pipes, doors, and walls to prevent pest access

Answer

Testing traps before deployment

Answer

A legal inspection requirement

Answer

Installing fly-kill units

Question 5

Why are UV fly-kill units (electric fly killers) not suitable for placement directly above food preparation surfaces?

Accepted Answer

Dead insects can fall onto food surfaces, causing physical and biological contamination

Answer

They are suitable anywhere in the kitchen

Answer

They are only prohibited near ovens

Answer

They only kill certain species of fly

Question 6

What is a 'pest control contract' and why is it important for a food business?

Accepted Answer

A formal agreement with a licensed pest control contractor for regular inspections, monitoring, and treatment — providing documentary evidence of pest management for due diligence

Answer

A legal requirement to post pest control records on the wall

Answer

Only necessary after an infestation

Answer

A contract with staff for pest reporting responsibilities