Best Practices in Insecticide Application to Control Preharvest Salmonella Load

Posted by Dale Fuller on 24 September, 2024

The effective management of Salmonella in poultry production is a critical concern for food safety. With over 2500 serotypes of Salmonella identified, it is a leading cause of food-borne zoonotic disease worldwide.¹ Salmonella can spread through multiple transmission routes, including eggs, bird-to-bird transmission, and exposure to contaminated water, feed, and bedding, as well as environmental exposure resulting from inadequate biosecurity and pest control practices.² Preharvest Salmonella management is a key strategy to combat the risk of contamination, and pest control plays a pivotal role in preharvest methods of intervention.

Recent updates to the Salmonella management framework by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) emphasize the need for producers to adopt proactive control measures to ensure the health and safety of their poultry flocks and, ultimately, the consumer.

**The Role of Insecticides in Preharvest Salmonella Management**

Insecticides are a fundamental component of integrated pest management (IPM) strategies in poultry houses. Pests such as beetles, flies, and rodents are known vectors of Salmonella, capable of spreading the bacteria through their movement and interactions with poultry feed and litter. There are several common insect types found in poultry houses:

Darkling beetles:

These pests persist in poultry houses and are proven carriers of several pathogens, including Salmonella. They thrive in dark environments and contaminate feed and water sources. Recent research has provided evidence for the correlation between darkling beetle populations and Salmonella load, highlighting the importance of controlling these pests. An in-progress secondary study aims to validate these findings, further reinforcing the need for robust pest control practices.

Flies:

Flies flourish in areas where preferred breeding materials, such as manure, are ineffectively managed. The contaminated surfaces flies interact with are then expelled elsewhere in their environment, increasing the potential for infection.

Mites:

Mites can shed pathogens into the environment, contaminating bedding and other materials. Some mites, such as the Northern Fowl Mite and Red Mite, feed on the blood of birds, making them susceptible to illness and disease.

External parasites like those above can significantly impact poultry production if their populations are not controlled; unmitigated infestations can make birds susceptible to other parasites and diseases that can cause death. Biosecurity measures, such as insecticide use, can significantly reduce the presence of darkling beetles and other pathogen-carrying pests.

Best Practices for Pest Management

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a proactive strategy that combines biosecurity protocols with the judicious use of insecticides to manage pest populations and help decrease the pathogens such as Salmonella that these pests can carry. This approach not only targets the pests but also considers the environmental factors that contribute to pest infestations. Applying insecticides helps to control the pest population so poultry houses do not become vulnerable to the spread of pathogens.

There are several key practices for the successful management of pests:

Rotation of Chemical Classes:

Continuous use of a single class of insecticide causes its effectiveness to diminish, as pests can develop resistance over time. Rotating insecticides from different chemical classes is essential to reduce the risk of pest resistance to the mode of action (MOA). Insecticides such as insect growth regulators, neonicotinoids, pyrethroids, organophosphates, and spinosyns can help maintain the efficacy of the treatment program if they are rotated every 2-3 pest generations or every 2-3 flocks.³ Review ideal rotation schedules to ensure the efficacy of the integrated pest management strategy.

Product Selection and Mixing:

The specific pests affecting the poultry houses determine the appropriate insecticide. Elanco’s Elector, for instance, is one of the few insecticides on the market developed for the in-flock treatment of darkling beetles. Insecticides should be mixed based on the manufacturer’s recommendations to ensure effectiveness.

Application Methods and Locations:

Different methods of applications include dusting, feed additives, fogging, misting, scatter spraying, and using tablets. Insecticides should be employed based on the targeted pest and its life cycle but also focused on areas where pests are most active, like cracks, crevices, under feeders, and rough spots.

Frequency of Application:

To maximize effectiveness, insecticide applications should be timed according to the pests' life cycles. If possible, monitor pest populations closely to determine the optimal application schedule. Even when there appears to be no infestation of insects or mites, it is best practice to treat the poultry house at least twice a year.⁴

When applying insecticides in poultry houses, it is crucial to follow strict safety standards to protect the well-being of staff and animals. The following are key safety practices when handling insecticides:

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):

All personnel involved in insecticide application should wear appropriate PPE, including gloves, masks, and protective clothing.

Storage and Disposal:

Insecticides should be stored in a secure, well-ventilated area away from feed and water supplies to not risk cross-contamination. Disposal of unused insecticides and containers should follow local regulations to prevent environmental contamination.

Protecting Birds:

To safeguard poultry, it is essential to apply insecticides at the correct dosage, avoid application on windy or rainy days, create buffer zones of untreated areas where birds frequently congregate, and thoroughly ventilate areas during and after application.

Proactive pest control is a vital strategy in preventing preharvest Salmonella in poultry production. Infestations of darkling beetles, flies, and mites can spread pathogens and impact not only the health of birds but increase the risk of foodborne illnesses in consumers. By implementing an integrated pest management approach that includes the strategic use of insecticides, poultry producers can significantly reduce the risk of Salmonella contamination. Rotation of chemical classes and utilizing proper mixing and application methods ensure effective mitigation of pests.

For assistance with integrated pest management, including your insecticide program, contact the Elanco Food Safety team.

Dale Fuller

Dale Fuller has worked in the poultry industry for 44 years in various roles including feed mill management and construction, sales, and distribution.