[SAM]

We had a problem with fruit flies and wasps last year, we found this company on the internet and the pots worked really well, Auditors liked them as well as there is very little risk to any product that may be around

Trap a Wasp

Nadine

[Simon]

Thanks for the link Nadine, I think I'll get some of those for the garden.

Regards,
Simon

[Ptinid]

Hi Simon

Rentokil's system using technology is certainly 'state of the art' as far as it goes. Now I am a pest control professional, and not Rentokil, so I am likely to be biased (just to make it clear). I do have a few issues with some of the systems they and other companies use.

1. Total encapsulation EFKs. Great for catching flies. Not so good for getting an accurate count. The rolls can be unrolled, but my experience is that many insects are damaged beyond recognition when doing so. Further, I have seen techs count simply what is on the visible panel and not bother unrolling - which means that the count could be from half an hour's worth of flies or a few days worth, but certainly not a full period.

2. Bar-coding and hand-held scanners make the techs job easier. It also makes it easier to remain a 'box-checker'. I have seen some dreadful service on sites using these scanners (from multiple companies) because the tech walks up to the wall/box, scans it and walks on to the next one. The prospect of checking what is going on between the boxes is foreign to some (not singling anybody out - it happens in almost all companies at times)

3. How the data is presented to the client is critical. Most web-based systems I have seen have navigation difficulties and getting the data presented in the way the clients want is a pain if even possible. When buying these, you MUST check that it will do what you want before you make the change.

At the end of the day, the technology, whether electronic of the pesticides) is there to help. Old fashioned pesticides will still kill pests if applied properly. Much of this is akin to the angling shop. Anglers catch fish - angling shops catch anglers! What really matters is well-trained, competent, professional and thorough pest controllers on site doing the job. That is what you should be buying. How the technology works or helps should be an add-on to that.

[Bunny]

Blimey this is an old thread,

I concur with Ptinid entirely, what you should be asking is "is the technician on my site trained, qualified, competent?"

The rest is just icing, you may be surprised to learn even now that may not be the case. Only now are the trade associations accepting minimum standard of qualification for technicians is the way forward.

From the end of 2012 all technicians of BPCA member companies will be required to be qualified to minimum level 2 in pest management and be on a recognised CPD scheme. The NPTA unfortunately have missed the boat on this one and do not consider that continual professional development is appropriate as a membership criteria.

You can make up your own headlines for that one then!!!!!!!!!!!!

So the moral of the story is: You pays your money you take your choice

Bunny