To ensure food safety, it is critical to do what with respect to pests?

Monitoring for signs of pests is crucial in maintaining food safety as it allows for early detection and intervention before an infestation can escalate. By being vigilant about potential signs—such as droppings, gnaw marks, or nesting materials—food handlers can address problems proactively, ensuring that pests do not compromise the safety and quality of the food being prepared or served.

Effective monitoring enables food establishments to implement necessary pest control measures efficiently, which may include sanitation practices and exclusion techniques, rather than relying solely on pesticides or traps that may not guarantee complete eradication. Catching a pest problem early can significantly reduce the risk of contamination in food areas, helping to align with food safety standards and protect the health of consumers.

Minimizing food handling, attracting pests away with traps, or employing daily pesticide applications do not directly focus on the proactive measures needed to identify and manage pest problems effectively. These approaches may serve specific purposes but lack the comprehensive preventive strategy that monitoring encompasses.