The Peskiness of Pest Control

Sandra Lapajne, BASc, CPHI(C) Public Health Inspector, Program Coordinator - Environmental Health

As of July 1st, 2018, the new Ontario Regulation 493: Food Premises (O. Reg. 493) came into effect. The new regulation revokes and replaces Ontario Regulation 562 and contains several changes.

One of these changes is that every food premise is required to maintain records and receipts of all pest control measures that are undertaken in the premise. These records are to be retained for at least one year after they are made. There is still a requirement for every food premise to be protected against the entry of pests and kept free of conditions that lead to the harbouring or breeding of pests.

Is using a pest control company a requirement to be in compliance with the legislation?

Pest control companies often need to be used for emergencies where pests have already infested the food premise. An infestation is an indication that the pests have overwhelmed your ability to manage the issue.

Pest control companies are also an excellent resource to prevent an infestation from happening in the first place. Pest control professionals conduct regular inspections to identify pests before they become a major issue, help to identify places where pests can enter, and have a solid knowledge of safe and effective treatment options for pests.

The addition of pest control record retention is to ensure a food premise is protected from pest activity and to adequately address pest activity issues. This requirement also ensures that operators are responsible for monitoring and enacting control measures such as integrated pest management.