How to Control Rats in Food Storage Areas?

Hey everyone!

After rats contaminated 800lbs of organic flour and triggered a ​​FDA Form 483 inspection​​, I learned food storage rodent control is a legal minefield. Failed “safe” methods:

  • ​Peppermint sachets​​: Rats dragged them into grain bins as nesting material.
  • ​​Ultrasonic devices​: Masked gnawing sounds until pallets collapsed.
  • ​DIY chili spray​​: Became seasoning for rat buffets.

Now using ​​FDA-compliant tamper-proof bait stations​​ ($1.2k/month) and ​​thermal imaging audits​​. But how do small businesses protect food without toxic residues or bankruptcy?

​Stainless steel drum liners​​ (0.3mm thickness, ASTM B912) block rats but allow airflow. Pair with ​​CO2 monitors​, rats exhale 100ppm+ spikes. Cheaper than FDA fines!

Rats chewed through my ​silicone-sealed bulk bins​​. Switched to ​​borosilicate glass containers​ with titanium locks. Rats rage-quit. My bank account? Also rage-quit.

Phantom rodenticide​​ in locked stations is FDA-approved. Bait lasts 90 days but costs $400/kg. Cheaper to hire a ​​ferret patrol​, until Health Dept shut mine down.

​Diatomaceous earth​ failed, rats treated it like a spa day. Now using ​​pulsed electromagnetic fields​ ($5k system). Rats gone, croissants rise 12% higher.

Traps in USDA zones require ​​NSF/3-A certification​​. DIY setups risk 21 U.S.C. §331 penalties, $50k fines!

@Farm2Table Borosilicate cracks at -20°F! Use ​​304 stainless mesh​ (24-gauge) over vents. Passes FDA 21 CFR 113.40 and survives rat MMA fights.

Stored rice in ​​oil drums with cayenne-infused lids​​. Rats got in, sneezed out. Health Dept called it ‘adulteration’, paid 2kfinebutsaved10k inventory.

@EcoBaker Your PEMF system violates FCC Part 18! Fines up to $10k/day for interfering with radio comms. Switch to ​ultrasonic strobes​, rats hate disco seizures.