A food store in Saint-Amable, on the South Shore, requested the intervention of Nova Extermination after the discovery of silverfish in the dry storage room and in the back room of the business. This type of infestation in a food establishment is of particular concern because these insects attack cardboard packaging, product labels, flour and starchy foods, which can compromise the integrity of inventory and cause problems during regulatory inspections. Saint-Amable, a municipality neighbouring Varennes, is experiencing sustained residential and commercial expansion, which has led to constructions whose modern commercial buildings sometimes include underground or semi-underground service areas that are conducive to humidity.
Inspection and characterization of the infestation site
The inspection began outside the opening hours of the business, an essential condition in this type of mandate to avoid any disruption of activities and to comply with the health standards in force. The technician methodically inspected the dry storage, the service corridor, the cleaning room and the space under the wall displays. The telltale signs were numerous: bites on the corners of cardboard boxes, the presence of moults in the dark corners behind the metal shelves and a few living individuals spotted under wooden pallets left on the cement floor.
The building’s technical basement, which was accessible through a floor hatch, had a very high humidity level due to poor ventilation. It was likely this underground fireplace that fueled the infestation in the upper commercial areas, with insects migrating through cracks in the floor and electrical wiring passages. Our team in Saint-Amable has experience with commercial mandates and is familiar with the constraints specific to establishments subject to food hygiene inspections. To learn more about our specialized approach, visit our page dedicated to silverfish extermination.
Treatment protocol adapted to food standards
In the context of the food trade, the choice of methods and products is subject to strict requirements. The application of any insecticide must be carried out in non-food areas and respect the re-entry deadlines before the spaces are reopened. For this mandate in Saint-Amable, the protocol favoured the use of diatomaced powder in nooks and crannies that are not accessible to food: cracks in the concrete floor, behind electrical panels and in wall cavities in service areas. This natural substance, abrasive for the insect cuticle but safe for humans under normal conditions of use, is particularly suitable for food environments.
In the areas of the stockpile where the products are stored, low-toxicity gel baits, presented in hermetic cartridges, were positioned in cracks beyond the direct reach of the foodstuffs. These baits attract insects and gradually eliminate the colony without requiring an extended closure of the trade. A liquid insecticide treatment based on natural pyrethrins was applied in the technical basement, a non-food area, targeting all the walls and junctions with the floor. All of the products used were licensed by Health Canada for use in commercial environments.
Reorganization of spaces and correction of favoring factors
In addition to chemical treatment, the intervention included an important component of organizational recommendations. The wooden pallets on the floor were replaced with raised plastic supports, eliminating a major shelter for silverfish. Cardboard boxes stored directly on the cemented floor were moved to metal shelves and the products most likely to be damaged were transferred to airtight containers.
A caulking program at the entry points sealed the electrical wiring passages in the floor and the junction cracks between the slab and the basement walls. The owner has also taken steps to improve the ventilation of the underground space, which is a key factor in reducing the humidity level in the long term. A decontamination and disinfection of the reserve completed the intervention, allowing the spaces to be restored to a clean state of operation and in accordance with the standards in force. This decontamination component is particularly important in a food context to avoid any residual risk related to the previous presence of insects.
Post-treatment follow-up and assessment
A first follow-up took place two weeks after the treatment. The gel baits had been partially consumed, a sign of residual activity still present in the first weeks. The baits were refilled and the adhesive traps installed in strategic areas confirmed a net reduction in catches compared to the initial inspection. During the second follow-up, a month later, the traps showed almost no activity and no live insects had been observed by the store’s staff.
This case illustrates the importance of an integrated approach that combines treatment, prevention and correction of environmental conditions. Our certified experts from our extermination company work in residences as well as in businesses, restaurants and institutional buildings throughout the South Shore. For similar cases in other contexts, you can consult our previous realization on silverfish, which illustrates how our method adapts to different types of properties according to the characteristics of each building.