July 19, 2021 Pest Hot Spots in Food Imports

Changes in politics and consumption have altered the supply chain, which are now arriving from new places and bringing new pest pressures.

By Nic Ellis, Ph.D., B.C.E. and Technical Specialist at Western Pest Services

With recent changes in the international political climate and consumption modifications due to COVID-19, the food industry is feeling tremendous pressure. Food and goods are now arriving from places all over the world. With these first-time imports, the industry is also seeing new and invasive pest species that previously were never transported into the United States. These new pests often do not have predators in the United States, making it even harder to control and eliminate them – and offering them the potential to wreak havoc on the food industry.

Travel and international trade can rapidly spread pests and diseases, which can cause significant damage to native plants, the environment, food storage facilities, and anywhere food is served. Many imported foods are heavy, and their packaging attracts a wide variety of pests during travel. Upon arrival, containers should be fully inspected for pests including:

• The inside and outside surfaces of shipping containers and pallets
• Packaging including the plastic wrapping, cardboard boxes, and slipsheets
• The paper and wrapping used to separate various foods and goods

When goods are shipped by airplane, rather than by boats, there is a lower instance of pest invasion because they are less likely to be packed in heavy wood containers and the travel time is shorter, leaving less of a chance for pests to reproduce and multiply en route.

The world is currently a dynamic global economy that is ever-changing. Because of this, the food industry must constantly prepare and plan for an invasion of common pests as well as novel pests from other parts of the world. In the past couple of years, new pests have found their way into America and are adding stress to the already heavily regulated industry. A few examples of these transported food-related pests include:

• Spotted lantern flies are a major agricultural pest that also cross over into logistics and food processing. These “planthoppers” are indiginous to China, India, Vietnam and eastern Asia. They are highly invasive, a nuisance to property owners, and potentially very destructive – especially to vineyards and forestry, including maples, black locusts, and fruit trees among others.  
• Coffee Berry Borers are found in tropical climates and feast on coffee plants. This type of beetle can feed solely on coffee beans and survive on them for the long periods of time they may experience in transit. They make their way inside the fruit of coffee plants, eating them from the inside out.
• Asian giant hornets (also known as Murder Hornets) have made their way into the United States from Asia. While researchers are still trying to figure out how these hornets are getting across the Pacific Ocean, the theory is they are crossing over on cargo ships. They feed on honey bees and can potentially threaten honey bee populations.
• European Cherry Fruit Flies have recently made their way into the United States by transport of infested fresh cherries and soil arriving from overseas. If left unmanaged, these small pests can cause 100% crop loss.
• Khapra Beetles originated in India and are known for destroying stored grain products and seeds at a rapid rate. They thrive in warmer temperatures and can survive in any storage facility that isn’t refrigerated.

In addition to pests getting imported from foreign countries, COVID-19 has added an extra layer of stress on keeping rodents out of the food industry. With less food waste in public places, rodents are having a harder time finding readily available food to eat. To make up for the lack of available food and trash, rodents are not being shy about making their way inside food processing facilities and restaurants to find their next meal. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning that rodent populations, which heavily rely on scraps and waste, are spiking in certain areas.

Bad news travels fast, and when pests or evidence of them are found in any food source, negative reviews can cause irreversible damage, and supply chains can risk being at blame. Not only can pests cause a bad reputation, but more importantly, they can cause customers illness when left untreated.

With strict third-party audits and food safety to consider, maintaining a pest-free facility is crucial in the food processing industry. And while some pests, especially new species finding their way into the United States, are difficult to avoid, infestations can often be prevented with cleaning, monitoring, and acting immediately if pest evidence is found. Fortunately, when outside help is needed, invasive pests can be curtailed or prevented with reputable pest management services that provide customized solutions.

Nic Ellis is a Technical Specialist and Board Certified Entomologist with Western Pest Services, a New Jersey-based pest management company serving businesses and homeowners in major Northeastern markets. Learn more about Western by visiting www.westernpest.com.

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