Which practice best supports Integrated Pest Management by denying pests food and water?
a.Keeping opened dry goods in torn paper sacks stacked directly on the storeroom floor
b.Leaving dirty dishes stacked in the warewashing sink overnight for the morning crew
c.Cleaning up spills promptly, storing food in sealed containers off the floor, and fixing leaks
d.Letting spills pool under the cook line, mopping only at closing, and ignoring slow drains
Explanation
Denying pests food and water means cleaning spills promptly, keeping food in tightly sealed containers stored off the floor, and repairing plumbing leaks that provide moisture. Torn sacks on the floor, dishes left in the sink overnight, and spills left pooling under the line behind a slow drain are exactly the food and water sources that draw pests in. Good sanitation is one of the strongest tools in an IPM program, well before any pesticide is needed.
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