Practice: Pest Management

A manager notices small, dark, pellet-shaped droppings near a bag of flour. What pest is most likely responsible?

• Rodents, based on the size and shape of the droppings

• Cockroaches, based on the location near dry food

• Fruit flies, based on their presence near food storage

• Flies, based on their attraction to stored grains

Which phase of an Integrated Pest Management program focuses on sealing cracks, fixing screens, and repairing door gaps?

• Chemical control

• Prevention

• Monitoring

• Pest identification

A cook finds greasy rub marks along the base of a wall near the back door. This sign most likely indicates the presence of which pest?

• Flies, which leave residue when landing repeatedly

• Cockroaches, which shed their exoskeletons along walls

• Drain flies, which breed in the moisture behind baseboards

• Rodents, which leave grease marks from their fur as they travel

Pesticides stored in a foodservice operation must be kept away from food, utensils, and equipment primarily to prevent which hazard?

• Cross-contact with allergen-containing ingredients

• Chemical contamination of food or food-contact surfaces

• Biological contamination from pest contact

• Physical contamination from pesticide containers

A manager is setting up an Integrated Pest Management program. Select all that apply: which actions are part of a complete IPM program?

• Working with a licensed Pest Control Operator when needed

• Applying maximum pesticide doses to eliminate pests quickly

• Regularly inspecting the facility for signs of pests

• Sealing entry points to prevent pests from entering

A food handler notices chewed corners on several cardboard boxes in the dry storage room. What pest does this sign most strongly suggest?

• Drain flies, which nest inside dry storage containers

• Cockroaches, which burrow into packaging for warmth

• Rodents, which gnaw on materials to wear down their teeth

• Houseflies, which damage packaging to access food

Why should a foodservice manager contact a licensed Pest Control Operator rather than handle a pest problem independently?

• PCOs provide equipment that managers are not permitted to purchase

• PCOs are only needed when the health inspector requests documentation

• PCOs are required to report all infestations to the health department

• PCOs are trained to apply pesticides safely and legally in food facilities

Outdoor garbage cans near the back entrance are left uncovered overnight. Which pest problem is this practice most likely to attract?

• Fruit flies only, since they breed in fermented organic matter

• Cockroaches only, since they thrive in cool, dark spaces

• Drain flies only, since they require moisture near waste areas

• Rodents and flies, since both are attracted to accessible waste

Food stored directly on the floor of a dry storage room increases the risk of pest infestation because it does what?

• Violates temperature requirements that deter pest activity

• Makes it harder for staff to clean and easier for pests to access food

• Blocks airflow and creates heat that attracts cockroaches

• Raises the moisture level and encourages mold growth near pests

Which TWO signs would most strongly suggest a cockroach infestation in a kitchen?

• Grease trails along the top of walls near ceiling vents

• Small, dark droppings found in cabinet corners and near pipes

• A musty or oily odor detected near warm, dark equipment areas

• Gnaw marks on the edges of cardboard boxes in dry storage