In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some of our drone inspection services for bird control purposes. A A-1 Exterminators, we’re one of the only companies in Utah offering such services (free of charge!), which have also been utilized around the globe by certain forward-thinking pest control and bird control entities.
This is just one part of our broad bird control program, which features products from Bird Barrier, the industry leader in property bird prevention. In today’s part two of our series, we’ll go over some of the other uses of drone inspections around the pest control world, the important licensure factors to be aware of, and what the future may hold for this area.
Other Pest Control Usage
As we touched on in part one, we’re one of several forward-thinking pest or bird control entities who have begun to utilize drone technology to great effect in recent years. Here are some examples of other uses of this technology across the pest control and extermination world:
- In 2017, the Department for the Environment in the Channel Island of Jersey in the British Isles used a heat-seeking drone to inspect a nest of Asian giant hornets (there were over 6,000).
- A North Carolina company uses drones to search for bat or squirrel entry points, eliminating the need for ladders or other dangers.
- Researchers at a university in Japan have developed a drone that can spray pesticides on crops with great precision. Similar technology is being used in China and other countries as well, and has been used by many farmers for years.
- Several state governments and private pest companies have used drones to control mosquito populations by spraying chemicals into standing water areas where these insects congregate.
- Some exterminators have even used terrestrial drones for crawlspaces and other tough-to-reach areas.
Licensure Factors
All our clients should rest assured that our drones are only operated by an individual with a commercial pilot’s license – you should never use such services from any other provider if this is not the case. All drones must be licensed through the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), and we are also careful to follow all state regulations when it comes to drone operation, airspace and other related factors.
Future of Drones and Pest Control
Many in the pest control realm and related fields believe we’re only at the tip of the iceberg when it comes to drone usage. Some forecast an explosion of this sort of technology throughout the industry, particularly for larger commercial buildings where in-person inspections simply aren’t anywhere near as efficient. In addition, drone-delivered pesticides and similar applications will likely be far more commonly used as we progress in this area.
For more on drone usage for bird and pest control, or to learn about any of our pest control services, speak to the staff at A-1 Exterminators today.
