At Sprague Pest Solutions, not every visit to a client’s facility will require a pesticide or rodenticide application, but when it does, each product has gone through a rigorous vetting process before it is put into use. Every product we use is carefully chosen to balance effective pest control with safety for our clients, our team, and the environment. This thoughtful selection ensures that our treatments are targeted, responsible, and aligned with evolving regulations.
The Criteria We Use
Our team evaluates each product using several key factors:
- Safety Profiles: We review toxicology data and product labels to ensure each pesticide meets our strict safety standards.
- Targeted Solutions: The goal is precision, to select the products that solve the specific pest issue without unnecessary impact on non-target species or disruptions to our clients. We do not believe in spraying everything down with pesticides.
- PPE Requirements: Our greatest asset is our team, and our mission is to ensure that they go home safely to their family each night. When reviewing current products, or considering a new addition, we factor what the required personal protective equipment needs are for our team. We review the requirements to ensure that our team is safe during applications and in their day-to-day work.
- Re-Entry Intervals: Our teams aren’t the only ones impacted by pesticides application. As a pest management provider that solely focuses on commercial-only clients we are cognizant that each of the facilities we treat is also someone’s work environment too. We consider how soon clients, and their employees, can safely re-enter treated spaces and what effect any residual products will have on the safety of their teams too. We prioritize safety while minimizing disruption to their operations.
Rodenticides also undergo this careful scrutiny. We understand the risk of secondary transfer, when predators or other non-target animals are unintentionally exposed, and select products designed to reduce that impact.
Leadership from our Technical Director
Oversight of our product selection is led by our Technical Director, a Board-Certified Entomologist, who regularly reviews every product that we use. This can include meeting directly with our product manufacturers to ensure every product meets our standards for efficacy, safety, and environmental responsibility. This ongoing review process helps us stay at the forefront of responsible pest management practices.
Staying Ahead of Regulations
As regulations and scientific understanding evolve, so do our practices. For example, we removed organophosphates from our approved product list before national regulations removed most of them from the marketplace due to their potential to cause permanent nervous system damage. They posed such a high risk to our team members and customers that knew we needed to make the change before regulations were put in place. By staying ahead of changes from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other agencies, we ensure that our pest management strategies remain both safe and effective.
Partnering With Our Suppliers
Sprague’s collaboration with pesticide manufacturers is a critical part of our process. We regularly provide feedback on labels and formulations, helping to shape products that better meet the needs of modern pest control. We also recognize the significant cost and time and investment that go into developing new active ingredients.
Documentation and Transparency
Not only is documentation required, but we take access seriously because our clients deserve full visibility into their pest management programs. Our website provides the full list of Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and labels for every product that we use. In addition, each service report outlines which products were used and applied. For our audited clients, our Online Logbook includes a record of every product applied, along with copies of the SDS and product labels. This ensures that our clients have easy, 24/7 access to complete, accurate information.
A Commitment to Responsible Pest Management
Choosing a pesticide isn’t a one-time decision; it’s an ongoing commitment to safety, science, and sustainability. By combining rigorous internal standards, collaboration with industry partners, and clear communication, Sprague ensures that every product we use supports our mission: protecting people, property, and the planet.