Level 3 Food Safety Certificate Pest Control Management 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the significance of German cockroaches (Blattella germanica) in food premises and how can they be identified?
- German cockroaches are harmless and common in all buildings
- They are small (12-15mm), light brown with two dark parallel stripes on the pronotum, nocturnal, carry multiple pathogens including Salmonella and E. coli, reproduce rapidly (producing 30-40 eggs per ootheca), and prefer warm, humid areas near food and water (Correct answer)
- They are large black insects found only outdoors
- They only infest restaurants, not other food premises
Correct answer: They are small (12-15mm), light brown with two dark parallel stripes on the pronotum, nocturnal, carry multiple pathogens including Salmonella and E. coli, reproduce rapidly (producing 30-40 eggs per ootheca), and prefer warm, humid areas near food and water
German cockroaches are the most common cockroach species in UK food premises. They are distinguished from Oriental cockroaches by their smaller size, lighter colour, and two dark stripes on the pronotum (shield behind the head). They carry over 30 species of bacteria, 6 species of parasitic worms, and 7 other pathogens. Their rapid reproduction (each ootheca contains 30-40 eggs with a 28-day cycle) means infestations can grow exponentially. They prefer warm, humid environments near food sources — typically kitchens, behind equipment, and in wall voids.
Question 2: What proofing measures should be implemented to prevent pest entry into food premises?
- Simply keeping the front door closed is sufficient
- Sealing gaps greater than 6mm around pipes and cables, fitting self-closing doors with brush strips, installing fly screens on opening windows, maintaining drains with intact covers, ensuring roof integrity, and sealing gaps around service entries (Correct answer)
- Proofing is only needed in old buildings
- Using pesticides around the perimeter is sufficient proofing
Correct answer: Sealing gaps greater than 6mm around pipes and cables, fitting self-closing doors with brush strips, installing fly screens on opening windows, maintaining drains with intact covers, ensuring roof integrity, and sealing gaps around service entries
Proofing is the most important element of IPM. Mice can squeeze through gaps as small as 6mm, and rats through 12mm gaps. Key measures include: sealing gaps around pipes, cables, and service entries with appropriate materials (cement, metal mesh, expanding foam with wire wool); fitting self-closing doors with maximum 6mm gap beneath; installing fine mesh fly screens (1.2mm mesh) on opening windows and ventilation points; maintaining drains with intact covers; ensuring roof integrity; and fitting bird netting where needed.
Question 3: What should a pest control contract with an external provider include?
- Just a phone number to call when pests are seen
- A detailed specification including visit frequency, pest species covered, monitoring methods, treatment protocols, bait station map, reporting requirements, emergency call-out response time, operatives' qualifications, insurance details, and compliance with British Pest Control Association standards (Correct answer)
- Only the price and payment terms
- A guarantee that no pests will ever be seen
Correct answer: A detailed specification including visit frequency, pest species covered, monitoring methods, treatment protocols, bait station map, reporting requirements, emergency call-out response time, operatives' qualifications, insurance details, and compliance with British Pest Control Association standards
A comprehensive pest control contract should specify: scope (which pests, which areas), visit frequency (risk-based), monitoring equipment and methods, treatment protocols including pesticides to be used, bait station location maps, detailed written report format, KPIs and trend analysis, emergency response times (typically 24 hours), operatives' qualifications and training records, public liability insurance, compliance with BPCA/NPTA codes of practice, and COSHH documentation for all products used.
Question 4: How should a food safety supervisor respond to evidence of a cockroach infestation?
- Spray household insecticide and carry on as normal
- Immediately contact the pest control contractor for emergency treatment, segregate and inspect food stock for contamination, intensify cleaning of affected areas, investigate the source and harbourage points, review proofing measures, document all findings and actions, and consider whether product recall or disposal is necessary (Correct answer)
- Close the business permanently
- Wait until the next scheduled pest control visit
Correct answer: Immediately contact the pest control contractor for emergency treatment, segregate and inspect food stock for contamination, intensify cleaning of affected areas, investigate the source and harbourage points, review proofing measures, document all findings and actions, and consider whether product recall or disposal is necessary
A cockroach infestation requires immediate escalated response: emergency contact with pest control contractor, inspection and segregation of potentially contaminated stock, deep cleaning of affected areas (cockroach droppings and cast skins are allergens), identification of harbourage sites and entry points, review of all proofing measures, documentation for food safety records, assessment of product safety (disposal if contamination suspected), and review of the HACCP plan if the infestation suggests prerequisite programme failures.
Question 5: What are Electronic Fly Killers (EFKs) and what are the requirements for their placement in food premises?
- EFKs can be placed anywhere in the kitchen
- UV light units that attract and kill flying insects, which must be positioned at entry points but away from food preparation areas, not above food or food surfaces, at the correct height (1.5-2m), serviced annually with UV tube replacement, and catch trays cleaned regularly (Correct answer)
- EFKs are not permitted in food premises
- EFKs are decorative lights with no functional purpose
Correct answer: UV light units that attract and kill flying insects, which must be positioned at entry points but away from food preparation areas, not above food or food surfaces, at the correct height (1.5-2m), serviced annually with UV tube replacement, and catch trays cleaned regularly
EFKs use UV light to attract flying insects to either an electrified grid (which can scatter insect fragments — not suitable near food) or a glue board (preferred in food areas as insects are contained). Placement rules: position near entry points to intercept incoming insects, never directly above food preparation/display areas (risk of contamination from fragments or falling insects), at 1.5-2m height for optimal attraction, away from competing light sources. UV tubes lose effectiveness over 8,000-12,000 hours and must be replaced annually. Catch trays or glue boards must be inspected and cleaned/replaced regularly.
Question 6: What records should be maintained as part of a pest control management programme?
- No records are necessary for pest control
- Pest control contractor reports, bait station maps, pesticide application records (product, amount, location, date), trend analysis data, proofing assessments, staff pest awareness training records, internal inspection logs, corrective action records, and copies of contractor qualifications and insurance (Correct answer)
- Only the contractor's invoice
- A simple note saying 'no pests seen'
Correct answer: Pest control contractor reports, bait station maps, pesticide application records (product, amount, location, date), trend analysis data, proofing assessments, staff pest awareness training records, internal inspection logs, corrective action records, and copies of contractor qualifications and insurance
Comprehensive pest control records demonstrate due diligence and are essential for EHO inspections. They should include: all contractor visit reports with findings and recommendations, site-specific bait station and monitoring device location maps (updated when changed), detailed pesticide application records (COSHH requirement), trend analysis showing pest activity over time, building proofing assessments and remedial work records, staff pest awareness training records, internal daily/weekly inspection logs, corrective actions taken for pest sightings, and copies of contractor qualifications, insurance, and BPCA/NPTA membership.
Level 3 Food Safety Certificate Pest Control Management 2
What is the significance of German cockroaches (Blattella germanica) in food premises and how can they be identified?