Assured Audit Pest Prevention has the expertise to develop and implement an organic Pest Management Strategic Plan to meet all the requirements of your specific Organic Handling System Plan as set forth by the National Organic Program (NOP) rules.

To learn more about the NOP guidelines please visit the USDA website 

 

ORGANIC INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

To maintain organic food standards with our pest management, Assured Audit Pest Prevention focuses on inspection, sanitation, structural maintenance, and mechanical control measures to minimize pest activity. Pesticides approved for use in organic food producing facilities may be applied when warranted on a very limited basis, and on a last resort basis. When pesticide materials are applied, Assured Audit Pest Prevention does so in compliance with the National Organic Program (NOP), adhering to product labeling and pesticide regulations.

The following Pest Management Protocol is based on the National Organic Program (NOP) and the NOP Standards. Assured Audit Pest Prevention uses this outline as an essential guide in the prevention and control of pests at organic facilities.

 

1PEST PREVENTION PHILOSOPHY

Inspect and make recommendations on environmental factors that will help minimize pest entry, such as the installation of appropriate exterior lighting, humidity control, and maintaining positive indoor air pressure.

green pest prevention

Identify and report structural deficiencies that may be conducive to pest entry and/or promote pest development and distribution.

Maintain a focus on interior and exterior housekeeping in effort to prevent pest harborage, specifically looking for spillage, refuse, and other debris that may contribute to pest activity.

 

 

2MECHANICAL AND PHYSICAL PEST PROTOCOL

Physical Pest Removal: Vacuuming is the preferred method of removing dead insects and pest debris such as webbing, frass, droppings and cast skins from floors, walls, and equipment.

mechanical exclusion of pests

Mechanical Pest Removal: Install and maintain mechanical trapping devices for rodent and insect control to minimize the need of pesticide application. Examples include snap traps, multiple-catch mouse traps, insect light traps, and sticky traps (rodent/insect glue boards)..

Lures and Repellents: Monitoring the activity of certain pests can be accomplished with the installation of specific pheromone lures and insect monitors. Based on inspection findings and previous problems, Assured Audit Pest Prevention may recommend continuous use of monitors for certain pest activity, such as stored product pest, or to help pinpoint areas and products that may have become infested. Exterior bird repellents and physical exclusion devices may also be recommended to exclude birds.

Temperature Control: When conditions are applicable and the product integrity and quality will not be adversely affected, temperature manipulation (heat or cold) sufficient to ensure pest mortality may be recommended.

 

 

3COOPERATIVE EFFORT

Should “first-line” defense efforts (as described above) prove to insufficiently control pests, consideration will be given to limited pesticide application.

cooperative pest control

Materials of choice include pyrethrum, boric acid, essential plant oils, desiccant dusts, and vitamin D for rodent control..

Assured Audit Pest Prevention will ensure that any material applied in this step of the process is authorized for use on the “List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances” published in the OMRI list of NOP approved materials and is in compliance with the USDA approved certifying agency recommendations.

 

 

4APPLICATION OF MATERIAL NOT ON THE NATIONAL ORGANIC PROGRAM

Should satisfactory control of a pest infestation be unachievable by means of prevention, mechanical control, or through use of approved materials, Assured Audit Pest Prevention may recommend the use of materials not listed on the National List of Allowed substances to treat an infested area.

organic pest control

Should this final control method become necessary, Assured Audit Pest Prevention will outline the recommended procedure in advance of any treatment and follow the specific steps outlined during the treatment to ensure that no organic product comes in contact in any way with the material used.