Pest monitoring

Legal basis

EU — applies in Austria and Germany

Reg. (EC) 852/2004 Annex II, Chapter IX, point 4: “Adequate procedures are to be in place to control pests.” The word monitoring does not appear there; the method is left open.1,2

EU — applies in Austria and Germany

According to the Commission’s guidance, a professional contractor is the preferred solution but in most cases not mandatory if staff can demonstrate the competence; poison bait is not a means of monitoring.1,3

AT — Austria

No separate provision; EU law applies. The WKO handbook recommends a plan with traps, inspection frequency and a site plan, and for cockroaches, rats or pharaoh ants an authorised company in any case (guidance).1,4

DE — Germany

§ 3 LMHV with § 2: adverse effects on food expressly include animal pests.5,6

What the inspector wants to see

• How do you monitor pests, where are the traps or bait stations, and how often do you check them?4,7
• What do you do if there is an infestation?3,7
• Are windows fitted with insect screens, and are pets kept out?1,8
• Does a professional contractor do the work, or how do your staff demonstrate the competence?3

Common mistakes

• Poison bait laid out for “monitoring” instead of non-toxic indicators.3
• Traps without a plan: nobody knows where they are or when they were last checked.4
• An infestation fought again and again, while the cause, such as gaps or open doors, is never fixed.3

Practise, read, print