Interview with Lenz Pest Control

 In this interview, we discuss the experiences of a pest control professional who turned to Goodnature traps for a poison-free rodent control solution. Driven by new regulations and customer demands for non-toxic methods, this professional sought a cost-effective alternative that could adapt to future regulations while meeting customer needs. The Goodnature traps proved successful in various residential settings, significantly reducing rodent populations without using poison. Despite challenges such as optimal placement and bait selection, the traps have been well-received, offering safe and effective rodent control.

Why did you initially choose to use Goodnature traps?
I was desperately trying to find a 100% poison free alternative for exterior rodent population control.  This was due to recent regulations that have banned many of the working baits and also the constant requests from my customers for a service that is safe for non-target animals.  I needed to find something that could be deployed for a similar cost to the traditional services I already provide.  The goal was to shield us from future regulations that could dramatically affect our business but also provide a service that customers really desired.

Can you please describe the areas where you're having success with your Goodnature traps?
Exterior of Residential Properties. 

How many A24's do you now have deployed?
Dozens and more going out all the time. 

How many A18's do you now have deployed?
8 because we just started using them.

What (if any) other rat control methods had you tried at your trapping sites prior to A24 deployment?
Bait Stations, Snap Traps, Repellents, Exclusion, Sanitation, Habitat Modification

What (if any) other squirrel control methods had you tried at your trapping sites prior to A18 deployment?
C02, Carbon Monoxide, Traps, Baits.

How long did it take for you to see results with Goodnature traps?

The 1st kill happened the first night.  It was a huge rat and the customer sent me the photo the very next morning. Clean kill. On my first deployment around a large property using 6 A24's we registered 28 kills during the first quarter.

Those customers are very happy with the progress so far and have seen a visible difference in activity on the property since we began the service. They are the most happy that we were able to do this without any poison.

What were any challenges you encountered with Goodnature traps?

It's all about location, location, location.

Finding the proper locations to put the traps where it is in an active foraging area as well as making sure that traps are not dropping dead rodents in inappropriate locations. You cannot install these right up next to the structure the way I have seen many bait stations placed.  They should be installed where the rodents are living and foraging. Which is usually in the bushes.

Bait selection is also key.  If you are not seeing any activity in the traps and you are sure that rodents are present, the bait should be checked for palatability and other baits may be needed if none of the supplied baits are working. 

Managing customer expectations is important. For instance,

some customers think we should kill 24 rats in every trap every time.

With the poison bait, there was no real indication of how many we had killed. This shielded us from having to give numbers. That is just not the case with these traps.  If you are not successful, it shows in the counter.  This means you have to be actively trying to kill rodents and not just throwing bait in a box and running off.  

Also, if you would only kill a few rodents per month with poison bait, you may only kill a few rodents with these traps. Having the traps on the property does not increase the amount of rodents to kill. We have several bait stations services that have low activity. That won't change by deploying the traps. Since there is a kill count at the end of the service cycle, it is important to make sure that you don't over deploy the traps. Fewer traps with higher kill counts is better than many traps with few kills. Customers will come up with a price per rat now that you have a kill count and if you are hitting $100.00+ per rat they will not be happy. I think the goal should be about $25.00 per kill. That is a reasonable amount that won't scare away customers or give you a reputation of being hyper expensive.  

How often do you check the traps you've installed?
We deploy the traps and check them at two weeks and then at a month.  Those visits are to check for activity, adjust the locations of the traps and change bait as needed.  After the first month is over, we then service the traps quarterly from the installation date.  Service is not just a walk by.  Our quarterly service consists of (Property evaluation, relocation as needed, cleaning, testing, re-baiting, pre-baiting, Co2 cartridge replacement, kill log and counter reset and update equipment maps.) 

What do you see as the primary benefit of the Goodnature trapping systems?

This is a much desired service that has been very easy to sell.

Most customers do not want poison if another option is available that works.  I also like that the service is safe for pets and I won't have to worry about those types of calls coming in.  I also can make more money with the traps than I could with the bait stations.  

Which sites and situations would you recommend Goodnature products for?
Anywhere that it is appropriate.  Again it is all about the location.  If you cannot find a good place to deploy the trap where it will not cause issues, it may not be the right solution for that property.  Our business focuses on higher end residential homes that have large, lush, overgrown yards.  We find it is perfect in those situations.