Decoding Rodent Activity Data: Uncover the Secrets to Proactive Pest Management

Bell Labs’ iQ products seamlessly gather rodent activity data for pest management professionals (PMPs) and show technicians when and where activity is happening.

But once you have that data, what’s next?

Knowing how to leverage rodent activity data is how PMPs can turn iQ products from time saving devices to something that revolutionizes their entire rodent control program..

What are iQ products?

iQ products, powered by Bell Sensing Technologies, are Bell’s smart rodent control technology solution. Each device contains an integrated Bluetooth sensor, so technicians know whether a device has activity from up to 100 ft. away.

Because PMPs can check traps from a distance, they can provide much more efficient service. A recent time study conducted at Bell’s 600,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility and warehouse found that PMPs can service accounts set with iQ devices 78% faster compared to those set with standard traps and bait stations.

Beyond saving them time, iQ products also empower PMPs with data. Providing good pest control service takes a lot of skill, but sometimes it comes down to guesswork. PMPs can’t know exactly when and where rodents are traveling or the size of the infestation. Inspection helps, but it’s not a foolproof method.

With iQ technology, technicians know exactly what is going on at their accounts so they can win the fight against rodents.

Turn rodent activity timestamps into data-driven service

At first, rodent activity data may seem intimidating. Thankfully, iQ makes it easy.

After a technician finishes servicing iQ products, all rodent activity data is automatically uploaded to the online Bell Sensing portal. Once there, the portal organizes the data into easy-to-read reports.

There are a variety of reports, including:

• Rodent activity event totals
• Trend analysis
• Maps that identify rodent activity hotspots

Interpreting these reports is simple – PMPs need to search for patterns, peaks, and valleys in the data.

For example, one PMP noticed a consistent spike in rodent activity at a specific time and place. Despite conducting an inspection, no immediate cause was found. After sharing the findings with their customer, they discovered an employee was propping open a door during breaks, allowing mice to enter. Once the employee stopped this habit, rodent activity dropped significantly.

In this case, a PMP conducting standard service with regular devices would have struggled to identify the real problem. Thanks to iQ’s data, the PMP was able to give timestamps of activity, allowing their customer to easily identify that the problem was caused by a single employee’s habit.

In another instance, a PMP identified annual spikes in activity every April. By increasing rodenticide applications in March, they prevented the usual surge in infestations. Later, when activity declined, they reduced rodenticide use and switched to a non-toxic monitoring bait, saving both time and money.

Data: A boon for PMPs and customers

Using iQ data to improve service has countless benefits, both for the PMP and their customers.

For PMPs:

• Optimized Control: With data informing PMPs decisions, technicians can proactively target infestations where it matters most. This saves technicians’ time while also giving them extra time for more hands-on inspections and customer service.
• Smarter Rodenticide Use: By combining pulse baiting with rodent activity data, PMPs can justify targeted rodenticide use alongside non-toxic options.
• Proven Results: When a PMP improves rodent control at their account, they can show their customer accurate, historical data that shows the difference their service made

For Customers:

• Proactive Prevention: Because PMPs can be more proactive, they’re more likely to catch rodents before they reproduce, preventing a loss of profits and reputation for their customer.
• Regulatory Compliance: The Bell Sensing online portal’s automatic reports provide documentation for regulatory inspections and third-party audits.

Data-driven rodent control is the future

Smart bait stations and traps like iQ products are redefining the rodent control industry by combining cutting-edge technology with practical benefits for PMPs and their clients. By embracing these innovations, pest control businesses can save significant time while offering superior service — all while staying one step ahead of rodent infestations.