5 Questions with Byron Reid

1. Why is it important that PMPs consider implementing an electronic rodent monitoring program as part of their service protocol?

Electronic rodent monitoring provides significant benefits over the traditional “every trap, every time” service. With real-time capture alerts, PMPs will know immediately when they’ve caught a rodent instead of discovering it at their next service. This visibility enables the PMP to respond quickly, helping improve their customers’ compliance with health, safety and auditing schemes. Additionally, the data generated by the system can help identify and head-off potential issues early. If there is a better way to monitor, why not embrace it?

2. How can rodent monitoring technology benefit a PMP’s bottom line?

In the short term, they’ll realize efficiency savings. The labor that used to check mostly empty traps can now be redirected towards higher value activities at that account. In the long term, as electronically monitored accounts require less attention during stable periods, the technician can manage more accounts in a similar amount of time. Perhaps more importantly, PMPs can use the data and analytics generated to demonstrate the value in this service, potentially enabling them to charge more for it.

3. How will remote rodent monitoring affect the technician in the field?

For starters, they’ll spend less time on their knees checking traps! When technicians are freed from routine trap checking, they’re able to make more effective use of their time. They’re able to focus on the big picture, identify areas of concern and investigate root cause analysis. They can make more meaningful contributions to their customers’ food safety programs, transforming their role from mere trap-checkers to a more consultative food safety professional.

4. In field trials, how were end users (PMPs’ customers) able to use the benefits of this new technology?

In field trials, we saw that PMPs were able to help end users quickly glean insights from the system’s data. For example, in one food-processing facility, the system captured frequent movement of traps from their designated locations. This data helped the facility’s QA Managers identify trap movement hotspots. In collaboration with their PMP, they optimized the trap placement scheme. This resulted in a strengthened rodent control program.

5. Why is this system so well suited to sensitive commercial accounts?

Sensitive accounts, like food manufacturing, warehousing and retail facilities, are subject to stringent regulations and regular audits. These accounts have strict guidelines for integrated pest management and record-keeping requirements. The connectivity of electronic monitoring systems can help provide robust data, reduce errors attributed to manual data entry and can make these accounts more audit ready. It also helps maintain the integrity of the facility as traps located in hard-to-reach or sensitive areas do not need to be accessed unless there is a capture or maintenance is needed.