Remote Monitoring Systems (RMS)- Pros and Cons

Transcription

1 1 Remote Monitoring Systems (RMS)- Pros and Cons

2 The pest management industry is learning how to effectively use remote monitoring technology and the value of the systems. 2

3 3 Introduction Currently, most pest management companies serving the food industry travel site to site, routinely checking each rodent trap for a capture. This lengthy, laborious process leaves limited time to make thorough and proper inspections of conditions throughout the facility. Additionally, most pest management and facility management teams are unable to record real-time rodent activity with enough accuracy to strengthen their rodent control system beyond its current level. Even now, rodent trapping devices are still purely mechanical. The two basic functions, trap and kill, have remained the same for more than 100 years. Without a connected monitoring system, rodents are often not discovered until the pest control technician arrives on site and makes a visual inspection of the trap. Therefore, the ability to quickly identify, control and correct infestations is reduced. The exact time of a possible infestation, capture or source of rodent activity is often unknown.

4 4 Overview of RMS There are a variety of monitoring systems out there and each has a slightly different design. Some systems focus on alerting when a rodent is caught in a snap trap and others fasten to a multi-catch trap. Some devices rely on physical components becoming dislodged when the snap trap triggers, and some complete a type of circuit when an object presumably a mouse physically touches it. Others rely on a change in momentum or an infrared beam of light to detect a triggered snap trap or movement in a multi-catch device. The overarching theme in all systems is one of rodent detection, data collection and notification. Every system collects useful information that is transferred from a single sensor to a hub or gateway, and then to a technician s device to alert them of a capture. Some systems use to notify technicians and clients of captures, others use text messages, and others rely on push notifications.

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7 7 Root Cause Analysis When a rodent is captured in a trap, the pest management technician will inspect to determine the reason why the rodent is present. Additional traps may be added to the area along with the inspection. In most standard programs, pest management devices like multicatch mouse traps are checked weekly. Conditions can change considerably in a week s time, and this practice may not afford an accurate picture of cause. Real time capture data can help increase the technician s investigative abilities. He/she can now look to see what activities may be occurring during the time the trap signaled a capture. This can include what products were delivered, and employee practices regarding doors being left open.

8 8 Example In one remote monitoring installation, the service technician returned to the site upon a sensor alert and found that the multicatch trap had been used to prop open an exterior door. But in spite of this, a mouse was captured. Had the trap been returned to its original interior installation location before the technician returned, it would not have been apparent that facility personnel practices had caused the alert. The data showed the mouse entered from the exterior and employees were propping open doors.

9 9 Pros and Cons - Investigation The best thing about remote monitoring is that it allows technicians the opportunity to take a more proactive approach and spend more time investigating their account instead of checking empty traps. This means more time for actual pest control (i.e., locating rodent entry points, inspecting for cockroach harbourages or performing supplemental fly treatments). Making sure to communicate this added value to our clients as these systems are rolled out will be important. This new technology does not and should not replace a technician. Instead, it adds value to the service by allowing the technician more time to thoroughly inspect and solve ongoing issues.

10 10 Pros and Cons - Notification Immediate notifications allow technicians to get a jump start on an issue instead of learning about it during their next service. While there is a threat of being inundated with catch notifications if you have a particularly mousey account, the idea of knowing exactly when and where a rodent was caught in an account is a positive one. This can be especially helpful in food-processing facilities and other sensitive accounts. With these new systems, every company must set their own policies regarding how soon a catch notification must be attended to and to whom the notifications may be sent. It is important to balance the forces that demand immediate responses with a proportionate response and a proportionate fee.

11 11 Advantages Peace of Mind With a remote monitoring system, technicians can rest easy with the knowledge that they can check the status of their equipment within each of their accounts at any time. Remote monitoring systems alert the technician when a rodent is caught. They also record a heartbeat data point if no activity is detected. This heartbeat lets technicians, clients and auditors know that the system is still functional and will function properly if a rodent is caught. Additionally, some systems even show a map that designates triggered traps in red and non-triggered traps in green for those who want a more visual representation of their account.

12 12 Pros and Cons Data Collection The ability to collect data is invaluable. Through remote monitoring systems, pest control professionals can collect and evaluate statistical data for each account in which they install a system. For example, many sensing systems feature a time stamp to indicate exactly when a rodent was caught. This time stamp allows technicians to ask better questions and gain more information. For example, if a rodent is caught at 11 p.m., technicians can ask their client which shipments arrived around that time and identify employees working at that time to interview them.

13 This can help identify a vendor who is unknowingly shipping rodents in with their product or an employee who is propping the door open as part of their evening routine. Other data collected can help to identify rodent hot spots, patterns or times of increased activity; prove that a service was performed; and much more. If your customer has access to the data as well, this can be very helpful for the reasons explained, however it can create it own problems, requiring lots of explanation. 13

14 14 Trapping in Challenging Areas Rodents will prefer to be in areas where there is less human activity. This can include attics, roofs and locked closets and rooms. Remote monitors offer technicians the ability to monitor these difficult-to-access areas more efficiently and safely. Particularly where special keys or dismantling of construction components were needed to place traps. Mice residing in these areas were more effectively monitored using these devices.

15 Some found that humans and/or wildlife quickly rendered their snap traps ineffective. Even when placements were considered relatively protected from human disturbance, traps were snapped and alerted within hours of placement. If traps are checked less than daily under conventional programs, this could leave that area unprotected for an unacceptable period of time. Knowledge regarding the level of impact that human disturbance is having on equipment provides an opportunity to switch strategies. 15

16 16 Different control methods, less subject to human disturbance, can be substituted or snap traps can be placed in alternate locations less subject to disturbance to remedy the problem. It is important to note that some of the remote monitoring sensors are sensitive to human disturbance, whether placed in conjunction with snap traps or multi-catch traps. Human disturbance during cleaning of sanitation aisles, where the traps are moved, can send an alert to the pest management company. Some units will not trigger when moved, these units should be utilized in these types of situations.

17 17 Lets look where this would fit in with current Food Control Plans and Auditor

18 18 GMPs (Good Manufacturing Processes) In the food industry, pest control is regulated by current Good Manufacturing Practices (cgmps), a prerequisite for a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP)-based food safety plan.

19 19 GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) The GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) is an international organization that recognizes efficiency, transparency and costsaving food safety schemes. The most encompassing are the British Retail Consortium (BRC), the Safe Quality Food (SQF) and the Food Safety System Certification (FSSC) standards. The next table provides a summary of the essential elements from these schemes as they relate to pest control. They are all responsible for achieving high objectives in food safety management and a successful audit with regard to pest control.

20 20 GFSI SCHEMES BRC FSSC SQF General Requirement A HACCP-based food safety management system is required by all schemes. It must be periodically evaluated and updated to ensure the current food safety plan incorporates the most recent food safety issues. Documentation BRC requires that records in electronic form be suitably backed up to prevent loss. Prepare policies, procedures, work instructions, specifications and effective corrective actions resulting from non-conformance. Specifications All schemes require documented specifications for raw materials, finished products, and any product or service which could affect product integrity. A regular review should be in place to ensure these specifications are kept up to date. Corrective action All schemes require that the organization has documented procedures in place for the determination and implementation of timely corrective action relating to product safety. General GMPs and prerequisite programs (PRPs) Food Manufacturer shall have effective PRPs in place and be included in the development and review of HACCP. PAS 220:2008 Prerequisite programs Documented records showing GMP are followed in all modules; training of personnel. Pest Control Inspection frequency based on risk assessment; timely response. Any rodent management devices shall be mapped and kept current. Pest control programs; preventing access, harborage and infestation; monitoring and detection. Outline the pest control method and inspection frequency; measure the effectiveness of current method.

21 21 GFSI SCHEME REQUIREMENTS General Requirements Documentation Specifications Corrective Action RMS The installation of monitors is based on a detailed site assessment (including business type, risk assessment and pest activity). Further, the system can generate trend lines periodically to advise monitor placement schemes and inspection frequency. RMS maintains time-stamped records of all messages from the monitor(s) (e.g., movement, capture, heartbeat, last time inspected, etc.). The records can be retrieved for documentation purposes. Device specifications are provided. The PCO or QA Manager can respond to capture messages or movements of the monitors as needed to protect product safety. Real-time alerts enable more timely corrective actions. General GMPs PRPs From the outset, RMS identifies rodent activity in different control areas. This information can be used to perform a hazard analysis to reduce or prevent infestation. Pest Control Certified service providers Detailed site assessment Data analysis and trend lines to review the effectiveness of current program Enhances IPM by reducing conducive conditions for infestation by enabling additional preventive measures such as excluding pest access and removing harborage.

22 22 Auditors The Supplier Audit Program (namely Second-Party Audit) verifies that suppliers meet their customers expectations in product safety and quality, facility environment. The expectations for pest management programs that apply to rodent control are briefly summarized below: Written pest management plans Inspection procedures and frequencies for plant infrastructure, pests, and all pest devices that demonstrate control Required documentation of pest activity log and analysis of records for trends in activity Documented corrective actions Training requirements; Certified Pest Control Operators (PMANZ) A dated map showing the location of pest control devices, such as interior rodent traps, glue boards, insect light traps, outdoor bait stations, and pheromone traps

23 23 Benefits The benefits of an RMS include: 24/7 monitoring and real-time capture alerts Enables rapid response, root cause analysis and immediate corrective actions Up-to-minute trend lines and reporting Helps verify site rodent program conforms to GMP requirements and GFSI benchmarked standards Automatic, real-time information improving audit readiness Enables pest management professionals to spend their time proactively inspecting the facility for possible pest entry points Helps pest management professionals upskill in facility inspections and rodent biology

24 24 Conclusion Remote monitoring technology is still evolving, and the pest management industry is learning how to most effectively use this equipment. Pest management professionals already recognize the benefits of this equipment, and continued use will help increase their level of expertise in the pest management industry. It promises to increase our knowledge of basic rodent behavior and the root causes of rodent problems in our sites. As the systems increase in sophistication, environmental factors like temperature will also be measurable, adding to our knowledge base Systems for monitoring and detecting insects, birds and other wildlife are also available or in development. This technology will be helpful in predicting pest activity and solving the root causes of the pest activity in our food facilities in the future.

25 25 Comments from Global Companies Technology is transforming the pest management industry, enabling rodent management to become a more automated, proactive process. While adopting the new technology is relatively easy, the biggest challenge for PMPs is implementing the new business model that comes with it. Scott Broaddus, Bayer Digital Pest Management, Research Triangle Park, N.C. PMPs can use remote monitoring as a predictive and preventive tool to set a higher bar for food safety and public health. Rodents are smart, highly successful pests; the house mouse is the No. 2 most successful mammal on the planet. Remote sensing gives PMPs the power to understand rodent behavior like never before, and that in turn will be a leap forward in our industry s ability to protect public health. Michael Hanson, Dow AgroSciences, Indianapolis, Ind.

26 This is a shift from the reactive approach taken today. When a PMP is armed with the tools and predictive analytics to protect a client, he or she increases value to that client. This is the future for the entire pest management industry, and rodent management can lead the way. Scott Broaddus, Bayer Digital Pest Management, Research Triangle Park, N.C. 26 Today, PMPs make a lot of assumptions, and qualified guesses based on their expertise, to decide how to handle rodent infestations. Tomorrow, PMPs will make their decisions based on monitored, recorded, proven facts. PMPs will become experts in interpreting data to take the right actions, at the right time, to avoid infestations for true preventive pest control. Jens Peter Nielsen, Vice President, Anticimex North America Sensor technology will become an essential tool as important as the technicians flashlight in rodent management. Craig Velte, ServicePro, Columbus, Ohio

27 27 Thank you for attending Have a great day!