Insect and Rodent Control

Section 250 Section 250.1730  Insect and Rodent Control Any condition on the hospital site conducive to the harborage or breeding of insects, rodents, or other vermin shall be prohibited. a)         All outside doors, windows, and other openings except in air-conditioned buildings where doors and windows are normally kept closed and opened for minimal use, automatically operated doors or infrequently used fire exits shall be effectively screened during the entire fly season. Screens shall be kept in good repair and shall have not less than sixteen meshes per inch.  All screen doors shall open outward where building design permits and be equipped with self-closing devices.  Fire and panic laws shall be considered in screen installation and maintenance. b)         Other methods of preventing the entrance of insects, such as blast-fans, electrocution screens, fly traps, sprays, etc., may be used but only as a supplement to the use of screens.  Fly strips, paper, swatters, insecticide sprays and powders, fly traps, etc., shall be used only in such a manner and place that dead, injured, or affected insects, or the spray or powder itself, cannot fall on or otherwise come in contact with any food or food product. c)         All rooms, particularly those where food is stored, prepared, cooked, or served, and those used for washing and/or storage of dishes and utensils shall be free from insects, rodents, or other vermin. d)         Any chemical substance of a poisonous nature used to control or eliminate various types of vermin shall be properly colored or labeled to identify it as a poison. Identification and storage shall be in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations.  Such substances shall not be stored with or near any food or food preparation utensils or equipment.  Extreme care shall be taken during use to prevent any such poisons from contaminating any food or food product or patient contact material. e)         If pest control services are contracted with an outside firm, that firm must be licensed by the Department as a Pest Control Business.  If services are provided by hospital personnel, and restricted-use pesticides are applied, the person responsible for the application must be certified by the Department as an Institutional-multi-housing pest control operator. f)         There shall be an up-to-date list of all pest control products used in the facility, areas where they are used, and areas where specific formulations must not be used. This document must be readily available, in case of accidental poisoning.