The words a pest control audit file is written in.

Preventing pest problems through inspection, monitoring, exclusion and sanitation first, with treatment used where the evidence calls for it — and recorded when it is. In commercial accounts, IPM is a written program with a device network, a visit frequency and records.

The agreement that sets out a facility’s program: which areas and devices are covered, how often each is inspected, the treatments allowed, how call-outs are handled and what the client receives after each visit.

Also called service agreement, pest control contract

See a Prevention Plan

A documented look at what could bring pests into a facility or an area — entry points, food sources, harborage, past activity — used to decide where devices go and how often they are checked.

A full survey of the facility, inside and out, usually once a year: building condition, the device network against the risk, the year’s trends, how earlier corrective actions worked, and recommendations. Several food-safety standards ask for one.

Also called in-depth assessment, annual IPM review

The part of the file that says what the pest provider does at a facility: the services and their frequency, contacts on both sides, the products approved for use, and the provider’s licences, training and insurance.

A current plan of the facility showing every monitoring and control device with its number, type and location, inside and out. Auditors usually ask for it first and check it against what is actually on the walls.

Also called site plan, device location map

See devices and areas in Pesvaro

Any numbered monitoring or control point in the program — a bait station, trap, glue board, pheromone monitor or insect light trap — checked and recorded on each visit.

Also called station, monitoring point

A lockable, tamper-resistant box for rodent bait or non-toxic monitoring blocks, fixed along exterior walls and fence lines. Food facilities generally keep toxic bait out of production and storage areas.

Also called rodent station, bait box

A non-toxic mechanical trap that can catch several rodents without being reset, used inside food facilities along walls, either side of dock doors and around storage.

Also called mechanical trap, repeater trap

A sticky board that shows rodent or crawling-insect activity, placed where a box won’t fit or inside a trap so its catch can be read.

A small trap that uses an insect’s own attractant scent to monitor stored-product insects, such as moths and beetles, where flour, grain, spices or dry ingredients are kept.

Also called pheromone trap

A wall-mounted unit that draws flying insects to ultraviolet light and holds them on a replaceable glue board, which is read and changed on a schedule. It is placed well away from exposed food and packaging.

Also called fly light, ILT, electric fly killer

A defined part of a facility — the exterior perimeter, receiving dock, dry storage, production hall — with its own devices, its own risks and often its own threshold.

Also called station zone, sector

See devices and areas in Pesvaro

The outside of the building and its grounds out to the fence line: the first line of the device network, where most rodent bait stations sit.

What the program says a facility or area should have in place — how many devices of each type, and where — compared with what is actually there. A missing or damaged device leaves an area below spec.

See device spec

One scheduled visit worked device by device and area by area through a facility, recording what was found at each point.

Also called service visit, routine visit

Walk an inspection round

Opening a device’s own record by scanning the code fixed to it, so what is found is logged against the right device without searching a list.

Walk an inspection round

How much pest activity a device or area showed on a visit, recorded on a fixed scale rather than as loose notes, so visits can be compared.

In Pesvaro the scale is none, low, moderate, high and critical, and you set the threshold for each area.

See activity against a threshold

The level of activity at which the program says something must be done, for a given facility or area. Thresholds are set for each site from its risk; the major food-safety standards ask for them without fixing a number.

Also called action level, alert level

Something noted on a visit that needs attention — activity, an entry point, a sanitation issue, a damaged device. A useful finding says what, where and how much, with a photo.

Also called observation

See a finding followed to closed

A place where pests can shelter and breed: stacked pallets, cluttered corners, voids in walls or equipment, vegetation grown against a building.

Physical work that keeps pests out — door sweeps and seals, mesh over vents, sealing gaps around pipes and cables. Often the first corrective action recommended.

Also called proofing, pest-proofing

See a Work Record

A cleaning or housekeeping issue that feeds or shelters pests, such as spilled product, residue under equipment or standing water, recorded so the client can correct it.

The record of a pesticide application: the product and its registration, the active ingredient, the amount and rate, the method, the exact location, the target pest, the date and time, and the licensed applicator.

Also called pesticide application record, application log

A photo attached to a finding, a device or a treatment that shows what was seen and where.

What will be done about a finding, by whom and by when — and, once done, the evidence that closed it. Auditors look for findings that were followed through, not only written down.

See a finding followed to closed

Reading activity over time, by device, area and pest type, to see whether the program is working and where pressure is building. AIB International’s standards ask for activity to be reviewed for trends at least quarterly.

See activity against a threshold

The record left after each visit: what was inspected, the activity found, findings, treatments and recommendations, signed by the technician.

Also called inspection report, visit report

The manufacturer’s document for a chemical product — its hazards, safe handling and first aid — kept on file with the product label for every product used at a facility.

Pesvaro’s name for the compiled file a client hands its auditor: the device map, inspection reports, findings and their corrective actions, treatment records, activity trends and photos, opened by a summary you read and correct first. It supports an audit; it certifies nothing.

See the IPM Audit Package

Pesvaro’s name for one finished job’s own record: its steps and times, before and after photos, materials, time on site and the technician’s note, sent to the client only on request or when you choose.

See a Work Record

A food-safety inspection by AIB International against its Consolidated Standards. Its pest management category looks at the annual assessment, the scope of service, an accurate device map, pesticide records, trend reviews and the corrective actions that followed.

AIB International’s Consolidated Standards

An audit under the Safe Quality Food (SQF) code, used by food manufacturers and their suppliers. Its pest prevention element asks for a documented program, the locations of devices, service records and trending of activity.

An audit against the BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety. Its pest management requirements include a plan of the site’s devices, a report after every visit, a regular in-depth survey and trend analysis.

Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points: the food-safety system a food business builds around the hazards in its own process. Pest control is one of the prerequisite programs that support it.