Page 72 - Food & Drink Magazine Nov-Dec 2018

SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT
Charting success
Adams Pest Control’s managing director John Adams spoke to Amanda Bryan about the new tech that is poised to revolutionise pest management as the company celebrates its 75th year in business.
ADAMS Pest Control was founded in 1944 at a pivotal time in the evolution of the pest management industry. The Second World War
was underway, and it was a time when millions were killed, not only in action, but by disease carried by pests.
“This lead to lots of developments, and to the modern pest management industry of today,” says the company’s managing director John Adams, who has since taken over the business that his father and uncle founded.
75 years on and the pest management industry – the unsung hero of plant hygiene – has reached another turning point.
collect data that reveals where the most pest activity is
located, and the frequency of that activity.
Sensors can also placed inside baiting devices to gather and share data on pest activity in each location after the hot spots are mapped, and a strategic baiting plan has been rolled out.
“We are now able to place monitors throughout a building that work 24/7, and from there we can produce trend graphs, discover hotspots, and address
part of a building and manifest in another part, so it’s required real skill to know how to tackle pest problems – this is a disruption, but a good one. This is something we've always wanted.
“Electronic monitoring is going to be increasingly coming to the fore in coming years as the technology improves. It's all about getting our hands on data we’ve never had before.”
Electronic monitoring will have other benefits, according to Adams. Because the industry has been fragmented, it's been hard to develop specific hygiene standards around pest control. The industry is, however, now pushing for the creation of an ISO Certification for the pest control companies, and electronic monitoring will help this to become possible.
NEW MARKETS
Given the growth of the middle class in Asia, and the rising demand for pest management in that region, a world-wide ISO Certification would be wonderful for the industry, Adams says.
Adams Pest Control focuses on the commercial sector and services over 4000 customers a month across Victoria and South Australia. Unlike many other companies, its rounds system sees each technician servicing the same clients, which allows them to build
rapport and get to know the buildings, a system that will be enhanced with electronic monitoring, Adams says.
The company already uses BaitSafe, a little round device that goes into a wall or a suspended ceiling, that can carry bait, a camera, or deodorant, and it helps technicians offer a holistic approach to pest control with follow-up and continuity. Adding electronic monitoring will take this to the next level, Adams says.
“The companies that have so far embraced the technology have had some problems, but we solved those problems through the use of these devices, and the next couple of years will see us working hard on that. It will be a great leap forward for industry, and a great leap forward for public health.”
Pest management is generally under-appreciated in the community, Adams says, but this is changing. The industry global industry has collaborated to create International Pest Day on June 6 which has now been inaugurated, and 4000 delegates also get together at a major international industry conference every year.
“Although there is no magic wand to solve pest problems, if we can have every commercial premises under 24/7 electronic monitoring, the potential of that would be tremendous.” ✷
“ This new service is still in the development stages worldwide, but it gives us the opportunity to really understand what's happening in the building.”
“There’s been lots of work over the years to improve products – to make them less toxic, and more targeted to specific species, but more recently, we’ve seen the emergence of the ultimate game-changer – electronic monitoring,” Adams says.
“Modern technology is, as with many other sectors, revolutionising the pest control industry, and in March this year, we launched a new Electronic Monitoring Service (EMS),” Adams says.
The company’s new EMS offering sees sensors placed to
pest problems when they arise, giving comfort to our clients who know they are protected.”
EARLY ADOPTERS
While it's still early days for the technology, Adams says, the handful of clients that have so far signed on to trial the technology have seen good results.
“This new service is still in the development stages worldwide, but it gives us the opportunity to really understand what’s happening in the building.
“Often rodents live in one
72 | Food&Drink business | November-December 2018 | www.foodanddrinkbusiness.com.au