Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, “Build a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your door.” If Emerson was correct, the world will be beating a path to the door of Viking Pest Control. Viking’s new SMART Rodent Control system combines electronically monitored sensors and traps to fight rodent infestation without the use of baits or rodenticide.
“Rodent infestation is a major problem, especially for food processing plants and food service businesses,” said Viking Branch Manager Bill Warner. “Rodents have been linked to numerous diseases such as plague and leptospirosis, a potentially fatal disease that can lead to kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure and respiratory distress.”
Viking’s new SMART Rodent Control system combines electronically monitored sensors and traps to fight rodent infestation without the use of baits or poisons.
“Rodent infestation is a major problem, especially for food processing plants and food service businesses,” said Viking Branch Manager Bill Warner. “Rodents have been linked to numerous diseases such as plague and leptospirosis, a potentially fatal disease that can lead to kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure and respiratory distress.”
In addition to the danger of spreading disease, rodent infestation can subject the business owner to penalties for violating local health ordinances and the potential shutdown of operations as required by law.
The Viking SMART System helps eliminate rodents by first detecting activity through a network of sensors and then trapping rodents in either a single or multiple catch traps. The rodents are captured, euthanized and stored in a separate compartment until the device is emptied by a Viking Technician.
“The SMART System is completely customizable so it can be deployed in businesses of all sizes from large food processing plants to small local grocery stores and restaurants,” Warner said. “Our team first conducts an in-depth site evaluation and then presents recommendations
for the number of devices and the locations in which they should be placed. The system monitors activity on an hourly basis and generates reports that identify hot spots. The data also tells our team about the level of pest activity and reports on the alerts from the device. From a data standpoint the SMART system is completely self-contained, so there is no need for us to access the client’s computer system and internet connection.”
The Anticimex SMART system works by using infrared sensors to detect and track rodent activity giving the Viking team valuable insight and data to control rodent populations at your facility. Using data instead of rodenticide, the SMART product is the most effective and eco-friendly form of rodent control. The SMART family of products connect with each other on an external shared network allowing for 24/7 monitoring with data reported to Viking’s central office. Using the collected data, the Viking team can assess and re-evaluate placement of traps to optimize your rodent control. Anticimex SMART works around the clock monitoring for pest activity in your business and will detect pests early to prevent infestations and damage. It is like having a pest management professional constantly inspecting your business 525,600 minutes per year.
In addition to implementing the SMART System, Viking technicians also perform a comprehensive inspection of the property and make recommendations about changes the client can make to discourage invading rodents. Simple steps such as eliminating standing water, properly sealing trash containers, cleaning up potential nesting sites and closing off access points help reduce infestation.
Businesses such as farms and equestrian centers are especially prone to infestation because of open barns and feed storage.
Warner pointed out that rodent infestation often results in costly production schedule interruptions. He cited a study produced by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr), which reported that ... “U.S. businesses incurred an increase of $6.8 billion in their operating costs in 2014 as a direct result of pest infestations on business premises, and a loss of revenue of $13.2 billion.”
“Not only do pest infestations cost food service and other businesses billions of dollars in operating costs, but it can result in irreparable damage to the reputation of a restaurant or grocery store. Nobody wants to dine or purchase food in a place that is infested with rodents or other pests,” Warner said. “In addition, health code violations for infestations often come with costly fines and shutdowns that continue until the infestation is remediated and the property is inspected for compliance and approved for reopening.”
Viking Pest Control has offices in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware. The company’s technicians work locally from their personal residence, so they can provide service based on a good understanding of the pest activity in their local area. For more information about Viking Pest Control’s SMART system, call (800) 618-2847 or visit the Viking Pest Control website.
— Stan Lemond
