Tech Centre

Cameras

Motion Activated Cameras

Rodents can go undetected in areas for long periods, often only coming out at night once sites are closed. Monitoring with conventional bait boxes alone can provide only limited information. In situations where mice may have learnt to avoid monitors this behavioural resistance can lead to rodent activity being missed and becoming more firmly established. We use motion activated cameras in areas of possible activity and often discover on reviewing the footage previously unknown areas of activity or points of ingress. These can then be proofed.

Endoscope cameras

Pest ingress points are often via inaccessible floor, ceiling or wall voids are just hidden behind fixtures and fittings. To establish the root cause of pest infestations it is important to find these entry points wherever possible. Endoscopes can be used to give a ‘pest eye view’ into these openings and behind built in fixtures and fittings.

Remote Monitoring Systems

Total IPM are continually trialling and testing advancements in remote pest monitoring systems to ensure we are at the forefront of technology when it comes to modern pest detection and control.

Although we do not believe that automated systems will ever be able to replace the value of experienced technicians visiting sites and visually inspecting areas for signs of pest activity, in certain situations they are a very useful monitoring tool.

Combi Insect Monitors

Not all innovation is technology driven sometimes simple ideas can offer enhancements in pest monitoring. One such Total IPM innovation is our combi insect monitors.

By combining the lure of a textile moth pheromone monitor with a standard insect blunder trap we have created an insect monitor tailored for use in heritage and collection spaces. This limits the need for multiple insect monitor types to be deployed in the same location.

Bio Acoustics

Bioacoustics use audio systems to play pre-recorded distress calls at random, as a way of deterring birds from areas. These are often used as an aid to clearing birds from airfields where there is the risk of bird strikes.

We have found bioacoustics systems to work best against species of birds which have a known distress call such as gulls, starlings, crows and other corvids. We have not found them to be effective against feral pigeons, which do not have a distress call.

Bioacoustics are a proven technology and can form an effective deterrent if used as part of an overall deterrent programme. The systems can be permanently installed to roof areas and are virtually maintenance free.

Laser Bird Dispersal

We have trialled the use of handheld lasers and found them to be effective to disturb feral pigeons when at roost, which is a relatively new technology. This can be of aid when used in conjunction with other abatement measures such as hawking to move birds roosting tight in corners and gain greater exposure to the hawk. We are yet to see a static system deployed in the urban environment which is probably due to the limitations of use and the care that needs to be taken to protect air safety when using lasers. There are, however, documented examples of static systems being of use in more rural locations to protect crops from bird damage.

This is an interesting new technology and one we can see could definitely have its use in certain situations.