1-800-332-7805

Organic Compliant Programs

McCloud Services Organic Pest Management

McCloud Services Organic Pest Management Programs are natural extensions of our Integrated Pest Management and Environmental Philosophies.

All McCloud Services organic pest management activities are consistent with the standards established in Section 205.271 of the National Organic Program (NOP). A specific, four-step protocol is used as a guide to the overall organic pest management process. This protocol is designed in terms of priority but some steps may occur concurrently while other steps may not occur at all. In some cases, it may be unnecessary to take action beyond the first all-important step – pest prevention. All materials used will be submitted in a written plan prior to use. Special programs can be designed for facilities not falling under USDA National Organic Program protocols.

ORGANIC PEST MANAGEMENT PROTOCOL

Step One: Pest Prevention

  • Maintain a high level of exterior and interior sanitation to prevent the harborage of pests. Remove weeds, spillage, refuse, debris, and other materials that may contribute to an increase in pest activity.

  • Identify and correct structural deficiencies that may permit pest entry and/or promote pest development and distribution.

  • Inspect and make recommendations on environmental factors that may influence and minimize pest activity, such as positive air pressure, selection and installation of exterior lighting which is less attractive to insects, humidity control, etc.

Step Two: Mechanical or Physical Pest Management

  • Physical pest removal. The preferred method involves vacuuming with equipment designed to promote effective removal of pests and pest debris such as webbing, frass, droppings, etc. Removal of pests or pest evidence in other ways, such as sweeping, may be acceptable as long as the method selected does not promote the accidental spreading of the pest.

  • Insect and rodent trapping through the use of mechanical devices. These rely solely on the mechanical attributes of the device to capture pests and will not include any chemical substances. Examples include mechanical rodent traps, insect light traps (both electrocutor and glue board types as may apply), insect and rodent glue board monitors.

  • When conditions are applicable, treatment of isolated areas of pest infestation may be carried out through temperature modification (heat or cold) sufficient to assure pest mortality.

Step Three: Application of Approved Materials

  • If the practices provided for in steps one and two become insufficient to control pests effectively, consideration may be given to limited application of pesticides.

  • Any material applied in step three must be listed in The List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances of the NOP.

Step Four: Application of Materials Not on the National List

  • If satisfactory control of a pest infestation cannot be achieved by prevention, mechanical control methods, or through use of approved materials, the infested area may be treated by applying materials not listed on the National List of Allowed Substances.

  • If this method is applied, all necessary steps will be outlined in advance and followed during treatment to assure that no organic product comes in contact in any way with the materials used. All Organic products must be removed in advance from the treated area(s) and shall not be returned until all measures have been taken to assure that no residues of the material remain.

Exception to Four-Step Protocol

  • In the event the protocol above may be insufficient to control pests, or pest activity is prohibited by federal, state, or local laws and regulations, non-NOP approved substances may be applied, as long as all necessary steps are taken to prevent contact with organic product(s).

  • This exception to the four-step protocol is consistent with NOP § 205.271(f) Facility Pest Management Practice Standard, which states “Notwithstanding the practices provided for in paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and (d) of this section, a handler may otherwise use substances to prevent or control pests as required by federal, state, or local laws and regulations, provided that measures are taken to prevent contact of the organically produced products or ingredients with the substance used.”

Learn More About Our Organic Compliant Programs

To learn more about our organic compliant programs and how they can reduce or prevent pest activity in your facilities, please contact McCloud Services. With service centers in Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri and Tennessee McCloud Services takes pride in delivering effective pest solutions throughout the region.

Bookmark and Share