Remote monitors solve a long term mouse problem

We’ve recently used a system of remotely monitored motion detection devices in a city centre restaurant that have helped to solve a long-term mouse problem.

This site had sporadic mouse activity over many years and as common in city centre environments the mice were avoiding traditional baits and traps (this is known as behavioural resistance and sometimes occurs in areas where there is an abundance of alternative food sources)

By installing the motion detection devices in numerous areas across the site we were quickly able to pinpoint the areas where the mice were most active – over 95% of the activity on site was located in three areas – all close to each other and clearly linked through wall voids and ceiling voids. These devices were installed inside tunnels that we had constructed that mice would pass through (and be picked up by the sensor) with a non toxic bait taped to the inside wall of the tunnel to encourage mice to visit these. Interestingly enough there have been plenty of activations but absolutely no “take” of bait – proving further the behavioural resistance theory. We also deployed motion detection cameras to give us even more information as to the location and behaviour of the mice – this has also helped greatly in understanding the problem.

We are now working with a specialist pest proofing company to locate and proof all rodent access routes and we truly believe that this will have an immediate and long lasting benefit to our client. The client has supplied us with detailed drawings of the site which are a huge benefit when dealing with a problem like this and they are completely on the same page with this approach.

We have been able to check on the activity levels every day from many miles away and guide our staff and advise our client in better ways than we have been able to before.

This approach has helped hugely in getting to the bottom of a long term problem and we will use it in other “problem” sites. It can also be used in sites that don’t have a recognisable mouse problem to give an extra layer of protection and instant alert if a problem flares up. The system checks itself digitally every hour and logs these checks, and we believe that this evidence can be used to show client auditors that areas/pest monitors are being constantly checked.

There is an age old motto in Pest Control – Exclusion, Restriction, Destruction

Exclusion – if at all possible, find the entry points and seal them up (this is what we are doing in this site)

Restriction – if you can’t the pests out, restrict their progress with good management practices (good hygiene and storage standards) – this will include removing breeding sites and external habitat control

Destruction – killing the pest – traditionally this has been with the use of toxic materials or physical trapping devices.

There is a reason why Destruction is the last in line – it’s because at this stage you are having to deal with a problem that us already “inside” (and once they are in it’s often very difficult to get them out!) – MUCH better to keep them out in the first place and avoid all of the hassle that a deep rooted pest problem brings.

We work with far sighted companies up and down the UK in the design and build stage (especially in the hospitality sector) to proof buildings against pest entry – this is the very best time to do this (and probably the most cost effective strategy) – we’ll expand on this, and the success of this approach in a future article.

If you have a site with a long term (maybe low level that flares up now and again) mouse problem or you look after a site that is audited on a regular basis we’d be delighted to deploy this technology to help you.