thus, moisture content is critical in deter-
mining whether proliferation occurs. Lower
moisture content (especially below 12%) of
foods discourages insect growth.
Several forms of radiation, such as radio
frequencies, microwaves, infrared and ultra-
violet light, gamma rays, X rays, and acceler-
ated electrons can effectively disinfect food
products, but not all of these methods are
effective and practical. Gamma rays, X rays,
and accelerated electrons have commercial
applications for insect disinfection.
Chemical Methods
Pesticides and other chemicals, such as
repellents, pheromones and sticky materials
for traps, barriers, or repellency are incor-
porated when needed. Whoever applies
pesticides must be trained to know the safe,
approved, and effective use of each chemi-
cal. Application of restricted-use pesticides
requires state certification of the applica-
tion. IPM targeted establishments have been
treated with nonvolatile, low-toxic methods
such as gel bait formulation, hydramethyl-
non, which is safe for commercial food
handling areas. When applied among cock-
roach populations, these insects consume
the bait and return to harborage, where they
excrete feces containing fipronil, another
active ingredient in the formulations. Con-
sumption of the contaminated feces by
other cockroaches gives them a lethal dose.
When the cockroaches die, others may
consume the carcasses and die as well
(DeSorbo, 2004).
The EPA classifies pesticides as being
either for general use or restricted use. Those
classified as restricted use are more likely to
adversely affect the environment or to injure
the applicator. Thus, these pesticides can be
purchased and used by only certified appli-
cators or by persons directly under a certi-
fied applicator’s supervision. Through an
EPA-approved program, states train and cer-
tify applicators.
The pesticide storage area should be large
enough to store normal supplies of pesticide
materials adequately and neatly. This should
be in a separate building, if possible, or stored
in isolated areas from food. The area should
be equipped with power ventilation exha-
usting to the outside and should never be
cross-ventilated with food processing or food
container storage areas. This storage area
should be totally enclosed by walls, and the
door should be locked to prevent unautho-
rized entry. The storage environment should
be dry, with the temperature controlled suffi-
ciently to protect the pesticides. Pesticide con-
tainers should be stored with the label plainly
visible and a current inventory maintained.
Pesticide handling and application equipment
should include rubber gloves, protective
outer garments, and respirators such as dust
masks or self-contained breathing apparatus
(SCUBA) equipment.
Chemosterilants offer potential for the
control of rodents. A single oral dose of
alpha-chlorohydrin (which is effective in sex-
ually mature male rats) high enough to cause
sterility is effective within four hours. As an
acute toxicant, it compares favorably with
similar rodenticides. After ingestion, rats
and mice rapidly degrade alpha-chlorohy-
drin. Thus, there is no danger to non-target
species that may eat rats or mice killed by
this compound. Since there is no secondary
or cumulative toxicity, alpha-chlorohydrin is
biodegradable and poses no known long-
term danger to the environment.
Although more costly than conventional
methods, IPM principles will be applied to
future pest control programs because of the
success of this program and increased envi-
ronmental concerns associated with the indis-
criminant use of chemical insecticides. The
control of insects in commodities by the IPM