Pest control - what is the difference between detectors and traps?

Hello everyone,

Our company is preparing for the FSSC 22k standard. In ISO 2002:1 says: 'Pest-monitoring programmes shall include the placing of detectors and traps in key locations to identify pest activity.'

Just wondering what is a detector? How is it different to a trap?

Much appreciate it if anyone can kindly help.

Thanks :sleazy:

In general a detector would tell you if there is pest activity that you would need to address / investigate further, without actually killing or trapping the pest in question.

For example non-toxic bait boxes will tell you if you have rodent activity on site, but won't kill rats/mice - if there are signs of activity you can then look at implementing controls to address the problem, but otherwise it avoids having toxic baits etc on site all the time.

Indeed a detection method can identify activity without trapping or killing. For example, one thing I've seen before for suspected mouse activity is laying down a special powder in the suspected area. The pest contractor then used a special torch the next morning to look for movement and prints in the powder to see where the mouse is coming from and going to which can help determine where traps would be best placed or if any entry points need sealing.

Normally the detector will identify the existance of rodent action at the premise without killing the rodent. The reason for that is that having toxic baits without reason at your premise is not permitted. The pest-management company will use the detectors to identify areas that rodent activity has been found, in order to place toxic baits at these areas and eliminate any activity. 

Another example is a pheromone glue board. It only captures males, so it cannot hope to control the population. You could plaster your walls with pheromone sticky cards, and the females would still be busy laying eggs in the product all day long.