How To Reduce Bugs On Natural Chews - A Retailers Guide

Posted by Lori on Mar 14th 2024

As a dedicated pet business owner, your commitment to enhancing the well-being of your customers' dogs is at the forefront of your mission. Natural chews stand as a testament to your dedication, offering dogs a wholesome and satisfying chewing experience. Yet, the prospect of discovering bugs in these products can understandably raise concerns among pet owners.

Rest assured, this guide is tailored to empower you with essential insights on mitigating the risk of bugs in natural chews through proper storage practices. By implementing these measures, not only can you uphold the quality of your inventory, but you can also help ensure customers are happy.

Why You May See Bugs On Natural Chews

Natural chews are a unique product that many customers look for. Prized for their chemical-free composition, may occasionally attract bugs due to their organic nature. Moisture during shipping can create an environment conducive to insects. This can be compounded when they are stored in moist places or when there are extreme temperature changes.

Furthermore, the presence of bugs does not compromise the safety of these chews for dogs. It's essential to educate customers about the natural occurrence of bugs. Emphasizing that they are part of the ecosystem and don't pose a health risk to pets. Implementing rigorous quality control measures, proper storage, and consumer education can help address concerns surrounding bugs on natural chews.

Keeping your customers in the know about how to properly store natural chews once they get home can keep these chews bug-free. Furthermore, talking to them about freezing or slow roasting these chews properly can kill any unhatched larva.

Ways To Reduce The Risk Of Bugs On Natural Chews

There are some ways you can reduce the risk of bugs appearing on natural chews in your shop.

Quality Sourcing Matters

Customers never want to feel duped. And by having good partnerships with distributors you can ensure that you are only selling the best natural chews to begin with. But how does this stop bugs? Because shipping and moisture can increase the risk, you can reduce the risk. For example, if a company only distributes chews, those chews will be transported multiple times. That could lead to temperature changes and the risk of moisture or package damage.

However, if the natural chews are only shipped once, or even better packaged in the same place they are produced you can greatly reduce the risk.

Proper Storage Techniques

Natural chews are susceptible to pests if stored in damp conditions. Or where temperature can create condensation. Recommend cool, dry storage areas with proper ventilation to deter bugs. Suggest using airtight containers or sealed packaging to create an additional barrier against pests.

And when it comes to storing your own stock you should also follow those recommendations. If you have access to a freezer, you should store natural chews there. Just make sure when you place them out on the sales floor you inspect them for condensation or put them in a cool spot on the shelf.

Regular Inspections

Advocate for regular inspections of the inventory. Train employees to inspect natural chews for signs of pest infestation. These inspections should be done during checkout and stocking. Have them watch for tiny holes, webbing, moisture, or any unusual odors. Encourage a proactive approach to identify and address any issues promptly, preventing them from spreading to other products. Furthermore, keep an eye on any new inbound products to reduce cross-contamination.

Implement a First-In, First-Out (FIFO) System

Emphasize the importance of implementing a FIFO system to ensure that older natural chews are sold before newer ones. This reduces the risk of products staying on the shelves for extended periods, providing fewer opportunities for bugs to invade the inventory.

Educate Staff on Pest Prevention

Provide training materials for staff on the significance of pest prevention and detection. Equip them with the knowledge to identify potential issues and take immediate action. A well-informed team contributes to a bug-free inventory and satisfied customers. Furthermore, they can help educate customers to keep their purchases fresh once they leave the store.

Utilize Natural Repellents

Use natural repellents that can be used in the storage area or on shelves. Consider products such as cedar blocks or neem oil, known for their bug-repelling properties. These can add an extra layer of protection to your stockroom. And make sure that these products don't taint the stock as not everything is safe for dogs. However, condensation will still be a concern.

Customer Education

Finally, empower employees to educate their customers on proper storage and handling of natural chews at home. Provide informative materials that can be shared with pet owners. This way they can keep their natural chews fresh, and how to handle bugs on natural chews.

Conclusion

In the competitive world of pet product retail, ensuring the freshness and quality of natural chews is paramount. By following these guidelines, you can establish your business as a trustworthy supplier.