WP Internal – Merry Christmas

01_Good to know: „dot on the i“ for better hygiene

Fighting varmints with parasitic wasps. This rather unusual method was introduced by WP expert Herbert Muelders at the bakery technology convention in Detmold, Germany.

For the 350 participants from four nations, hygiene was again an up-to-date topic. As a sponsor, the WP BAKERYGROUP was present with an information desk as well as a presentation of product manager Herbert Muelders. The WP expert outlined, how important hygienic design of machines is for a high level of hygiene in the production process of baked goods. A basis for discussion during the presentation breaks was given by Herbert Mülders, who described a rather unconventional but effective method of fighting varmints: banish moths from the bakeries with parasitic wesps.

The natural enemies of moths are parasitic wasps. With a size of about 0.3 mm – about the size of a “dot on the I” in this text – they are rather small, but have a sensitive smelling organ. Moth eggs placed even in the smallest areas are sniffed by the wasps. Therefore, no new moth generation can grow. When there are no more moth eggs, the parasitic wasp is missing nourishment and dies after about two weeks. An effective method to increase hygiene in bakeries without any chemistry.