Why cleaning and disinfection go hand in hand

Cleaning and disinfecting between batches are an essential part of maintaining good hygiene and disease management in a piggery. Melissa Cupido, Teagasc Pig Development Department, shares practices to ensure your house is ready for the next batch of pigs.

Remove organic matter

Manure, feed, dust and other organic material can harbour harmful microorganisms and prevent disinfectants from doing their work. It is therefore important to take the time to remove as much organic matter as possible prior to applying a disinfectant. Certain hard to reach areas such as corners, under feeders and around pen fittings of a pen or pig house can be easily missed and cause a build-up of contamination. Special care should therefore be taken to ensure these are thoroughly clean.

Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations

For detergents and disinfectants, it may be tempting to make use of a more diluted concentration to stretch the product or perhaps think that a higher concentration would be more effective, but the prior could result in a less effective product and the latter could lead to waste and potentially cause other problems. So, ensure you always follow the instructions on the product label and measure the product accurately.

Let the disinfectant labour

If you want the disinfectant to work properly, it will take a bit of time. Applying a disinfectant and rinsing it away before the recommended contact time has been reached can reduce its effectiveness. This is another time to trust the manufacturer’s instructions and make sure the disinfectant remains on the surfaces for an appropriate amount of time.

Wait until the house is dry

Once the house has been cleaned and rinsed, allow time for surfaces to dry before the next batch of pigs enter. Damp environments are generally favoured by microorganisms and bacteria so ensuring the pen is dry adds another hygienic barrier between the previous batch and the one entering.

The goal is not simply to have a house that looks clean. The goal is to reduce the level of contamination between batches of pigs.

For instructions on cleaning and disinfecting pig houses, watch our training video:

View the full Teagasc Pig Development Department Skills Video Series