As regulatory pressures increase and customer expectations evolve, commercial facilities are rethinking how pest management programs are designed and delivered. For many, the goal is clear: reduce environmental impact while maintaining or improving performance.
At Sprague Pest Solutions, this shift is not theoretical. It is happening in real time across client sites, driven by a combination of regulatory change, data-driven decision making, and a long-standing commitment to Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
The result is a more strategic, eco-forward approach to pest management. One that prioritizes prevention, reduces reliance on traditional materials, and delivers measurable results.
Moving Beyond Traditional Programs
For decades, many pest management programs relied on routine applications of pesticides and rodenticides as a standard practice. Today, that model is being challenged not only by regulators, but by clients themselves.
“Today’s clients are more attuned to using less pesticide and looking at alternative solutions,” says Dan Scott, BCE, a regional entomologist for Sprague. “They’re asking the right questions, ‘Do we need this material, and is there a better way to achieve the same outcome?”
In states like California, evolving regulations around rodenticides have accelerated this shift. Requirements around product use, placement, and disposal have increased scrutiny, while also creating opportunities for innovation.
Sprague has responded by leaning further into eco-forward strategies grounded in IPM principles. That means using materials only when necessary and only when specific thresholds are exceeded.
“Why apply something every month if you don’t have to?” says Scott. “We’re focused on understanding pest pressure, identifying trends, and making targeted decisions based on real data.”
Data-Driven Decisions in the Field
At the core of Sprague’s approach is a deeper reliance on monitoring and data analysis.
Rather than blanket applications, technicians are using non-toxic monitoring tools and digital reporting systems to track pest activity over time. This data is then used to create “heat maps” that identify where activity is occurring and where it is not.
From there, programs can be adjusted accordingly.
“We may see consistent activity on one side of a building, while the other sides show little to none,” Scott explains. “In those cases, we can reduce or even eliminate rodenticide use in low-activity areas while maintaining control where it’s needed.”
In some cases, facilities that have shown no feeding activity for extended periods – often 12 months or more – can safely remove rodenticides altogether.
This targeted approach not only reduces environmental impact but also supports compliance with third-party audits from organizations such as AIB and BRC, which increasingly emphasize documentation, justification, and risk-based decision making.
Adapting in Complex Environments
Real-world application of eco-forward pest management requires flexibility especially in complex or high-risk environments.
One example comes from a large food production facility in Reno, where consistent exterior rodent activity had historically been managed with rodenticides.
During an annual program review, Sprague worked with the client to evaluate whether those materials were still necessary.
“There were no rodent captures inside the facility,” says Scott. “We were seeing some exterior activity, but it was manageable through trapping and monitoring.”
Working collaboratively, Sprague and the client transitioned away from second-generation rodenticides and implemented lower-impact alternatives.
The result was a successful program that maintained control while reducing environmental exposure and aligned with the client’s own sustainability goals.
Field-Level Innovation in Fresno
On the front lines, Sprague teams are putting these principles into action every day.
In California’s Central Valley, Fresno Branch Manager Ryan Reese and his team have embraced what he describes as “predictive pest management” using data, observation, and proactive planning to stay ahead of pest pressure.
“We’re ordering less rodenticide and relying more on monitoring and inspection,” says Reese. “It forces us to be more aware of what’s actually happening at each facility and adjust based on real conditions.”
This approach has proven especially valuable in large, complex environments.
At a 1-million-square-foot baking facility, Reese’s team identified a seasonal spike in rodent activity along the north side of the building. By analyzing data trends, they linked the activity to nearby agricultural practices specifically, field disking during the summer months.
Rather than applying broad treatments, the team implemented a targeted strategy:
- Increased monitoring and trapping beginning in early summer
- Weekly service intervals during peak activity
- Close coordination with the facility’s maintenance team
“They were highly engaged and quick to respond to any conditions we identified,” says Reese. “Door sweeps were repaired, roll-up doors were kept closed, and sealing was maintained.”
The result was effective control with minimal material use and a client that was fully aligned with the approach.
Rethinking Tools and Techniques
Eco-forward pest management is not just about using less material – it’s about using the right tools for the situation.
In some environments, that means moving away from rodenticides entirely.
Reese points to a National Park Service account as a turning point for his team. With strict limitations on material use, traditional approaches were not an option.
Instead, technicians relied on mechanical solutions such as snap traps carefully placed and strategically deployed.
“It forced us to rethink everything,” Reese says. “Right device, right location. You have to understand pest behavior and match your approach accordingly.”
In another instance, a hospitality client undergoing renovations presented a different kind of challenge. Doors were frequently left open, creating ongoing access points for pests.
“Behavior was a big part of the issue,” Reese explains. “We had to work with the staff, not just the structure.”
By combining targeted trapping with client education and operational adjustments, the team was able to bring the situation under control – without relying on traditional materials.
The Foundation: Exclusion, Sanitation, and Education
While materials and tools are important, the foundation of any eco-forward program remains the same: exclusion, sanitation, and education.
“These three elements are essential,” Reese emphasizes. “If you manage them well, pest pressure drops significantly.”
Exclusion efforts focus on sealing entry points and maintaining the building envelope. Sanitation reduces the availability of food and water sources. Education ensures that staff understand their role in maintaining conditions that deter pests.
In high-turnover environments, ongoing training is especially critical.
“We’re constantly working with clients to help them understand what to look for and how their actions impact pest pressure,” Reese says.
Aligning with Customer Expectations
As sustainability becomes a priority across industries, clients are increasingly evaluating pest management providers through that lens.
“Many customers are already thinking about environmental impact,” Scott says. “They want to know that their program aligns with their values and regulatory requirements.”
Sprague has taken a proactive approach to these conversations, helping clients understand not only what is changing, but why.
That includes explaining new regulations, outlining alternative strategies, and demonstrating how eco-forward programs can deliver the same – or better – results.
“Clients want pests gone,” Reese says. “As long as the solution works, they’re open to new approaches. Our job is to show them how and why it works.”
Looking Ahead
The shift toward eco-forward pest management is expected to continue, driven by ongoing regulatory changes, advances in technology, and growing customer demand.
Remote monitoring systems, in particular, are playing an increasingly important role. These tools provide real-time insights into pest activity, allowing for faster response times and more precise interventions.
At the same time, Sprague remains focused on reducing reliance on rodenticides wherever possible.
“Our goal is to pull as much rodenticide out of facilities as we can, without compromising control,” Reese says.
For clients, the benefits are clear:
- Reduced environmental impact
- Improved audit readiness
- Lower long-term risk
- Greater transparency and accountability
A Smarter Path Forward
Eco-forward pest management is not about doing less, it’s about doing better.
By combining data-driven insights, targeted interventions, and strong client partnerships, Sprague is helping facilities achieve a higher standard of pest management – one that protects both their operations and the environments in which they operate.
Scott adds, “We’re not stepping away from effective pest control. We’re evolving it.”
And for facility managers, QA professionals, and property teams, that evolution represents a smarter, more sustainable path forward.