Rodent infestation is a common yet challenging food safety issue. Certainly, "prevention is better than the cure" and trying to adopt various preventive measures is impossible once a facility is infested. There are several techniques and methods of extermination available, most of which incorporate the use of toxins. The key to prevention is being able to predict and identify an infestation before it is too late and IoT solutions do just that with wireless technology. Similar to COVID-19 contact tracers, IoT solutions aim to detect the index case to prevent the infection from spreading.
IoT stands for Internet of Things, which is an ecosystem of physical devices connected with each other, accessible via the internet. The internet helps these devices in exchanging data. The IoT at its full potential will change the future for food businesses primarily in the areas of improving food safety; by increasing transparency and flexibility, and creating greater capabilities to manage compliance.
The traditional mindset for the adoption of IoT technology has been on improving the efficiency of restaurants and providing enhanced customer experiences. However, some of its greatest potential remains within food safety. Real-time data from IoT devices make it possible to closely monitor key food safety data points, allowing manufacturers, retail, and hospitality to reduce the risks of foodborne illness outbreaks through data collection, data visualisation, automated reporting, and predictive analysis.
IoT solutions for rodent management, such as RATSENSE, offer valuable information and data, which assists in several ways. An obvious benefit is the ability to deploy rodent and mice traps more strategically. Beyond this, being able to identify entry and exits for these rodents, as well as the typical rodent pathways, is useful for devising an effective and targeted strategy for control. A greater understanding of rodent activity minimises the need for toxic baits, allowing for long-term physical and non-chemical approaches. The data also provides insight on rodent activity and eliminates guesswork, keeping ahead of the changing behaviour of rodents.
Typically food businesses, whether in retail, manufacturing, storage, or hospitality, rely heavily on rodent stations and pest management inspections. Many make the assumption that if a station is placed, a rodent would naturally feel compelled to go in. Scientific evidence around the world, however, supports the view that this assumption is inaccurate, with evidence rodents have bait and trap avoidance. Furthermore, inspections are usually limited to rodent stations and areas where there are rodent sightings or remnants of past rodent activity. This is obviously quite limiting. With IoT solutions like RATSENSE, food businesses can be monitored 24/7 (not monthly) and will be instantly alerted to the entry or presence of rodents.
With increased COVID lockdowns and the requirement for minimal facility access, remote solutions, such as RATSENSE, will provide peace of mind, reducing contractor access time, whilst extending visit intervals. Rodent sensors facilitate appropriate proofing, limiting future rodent damage and infestations.
Register your interest to access our three-month POC to prove that RATSENSE will improve the efficiency, hygiene, and risk management in your food facility.
Article by: Cre8tec Pty Ltd
Posted By
_1.png){kind=logo}
