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From as early as 2500 B.C., toxic chemicals such as sulphur have been used to control and exterminate insects. But, with growing consumer concerns and tighter regulations, we’ve seen an ever-growing shift in demand towards more sustainable pest control practices, with low and non-toxic solutions gaining traction. Solutions that can be more effective than their chemical counterparts and are ideal for sensitive food businesses.
But what are these non-tox and low-tox solutions that are most effective against the common pests in the food sector? Let’s take a look.
Raising the temperature on stored product insects (SPIs)
For many food businesses, SPIs are eating away at their profits — and it’s not just a metaphor but a reality. In research commissioned by Rentokil, CeBR found 60% of businesses reported annual revenue losses of 1–9% due to SPI infestations.
One of the most effective ways of combatting SPIs is with non-toxic heat treatment. This method raises the temperature of the infested area to a level lethal to all insect life stages and eliminates them in a single treatment. This chemical-free approach is ideal for food businesses because it leaves no residues and can treat large areas quickly.
Heat, unlike sprays, penetrates the insect’s body, killing it from the inside by denaturing proteins and disrupting the waxy outer layers. Research shows that just a few hours at 50°C can eliminate insects in all life stages without impacting product integrity.
Looking beyond rodenticides
A discussion about non-toxic methods of pest control protecting food businesses from common pests would not be complete without the mention of rodents.
Rodents multiply rapidly, and infestations quickly become difficult to control. They impact staff morale, damage equipment and potentially lead to legal action, and food businesses are particularly vulnerable, losing an average of 8 working days a year due to rat infestations.
It’s only made worse by growing resistance to rodenticides, environmental concerns and regulatory phaseouts, which are are all driving greater demand for non-toxic rodent control solutions.
One crucial aspect of non-tox and low-tox rodent control is building proofing, which involves identifying and sealing any potential entry points. By preventing rodents from accessing buildings in the first place, the reliance on rodenticides is significantly reduced.
This focus on prevention is a key aspect of integrated pest management (IPM) programmes, which offer effective, non-toxic rodent control. Strategies rely on restriction, exclusion and monitoring techniques to prevent infestations before they occur, reducing the need for rodenticides to control pest activity.
Technological innovations and advancements are further enhancing these proactive efforts. What was once not even a possibility in early pest control is now far more commonplace. Connected rodent-control devices offer 24/7 protection, detecting and reporting real-time pest activity, making it possible for technicians to respond more rapidly, preventing infestations from escalating and, ultimately, minimising the need for reactive treatments and rodenticides.
Non-toxic solutions for the fly fight
If it’s not SPIs or rodents, then it’s flies, with their rapid breeding cycles and ability to spread disease, and fly infestations are the most likely to cause illnesses in staff (according to the above CeBR study).
Fly traps in various capacities have been around for hundreds of years, but one innovation that is a lot newer on the scene, and more effective than it’s predecessors, is the non-toxic LED insect light trap.
These traps use LED technology that emits UV-A light, which is highly attractive to flies, making them significantly more effective than conventional lamps with some even containing zero toxic chemicals with their mercury-free lamps. These ILTs can offer substantial energy savings compared to traditional UV traps and help to protect the environment by using LED light instead of insecticides or other chemical-based methods.
Similarly, odour management systems that neutralise waste odours can deter flies attracted from miles away, preventing them from even reaching your premises while biological controls, like mites and parasitic wasps, act as natural predators to control fly populations without the need for harmful chemical sprays.
As technology continues to advance, we can expect even more innovative and effective low-tox and non-tox solutions to emerge, shaping a future where pest control and environmental responsibility go hand in hand.
