Pesticides and other poisons have long been the main source of getting rid of annoying pests. But Pesticides also kill indiscriminately, destroying pests along with their natural insect predators. This leads to the irony of pesticide use: once insect predators are eliminated, pest populations grow unchecked, leading to ever-greater pesticide applications. We are now dealing with the ramifications of treating these infestations of mosquitoes, roaches, rats and other varmints with poisons. Exposure to these chemicals has affected the health of not only our pets and other animals, but our own health too. Some of them have cancer-causing agents. These pesticides have also been known to cause immune diseases as well as other disorders. Even a blanket application of chemical pesticide only provides a temporary solution, the inherent side-effects to our environment renders this option unacceptable in the long run. Granted that indoor pests are a source of frustration, aggravation, and even sickness for many homeowners. Ants, cockroaches, spiders, fleas, bed bugs, and termites can wreak havoc on your home; bite you and your pets, and spread germs, bacteria, and disease.
In today’s modern society of fast-living and fast-spending, most services are out-sourced to professionals and pest management has also become one such outsourced service. Calling a professional exterminator is usually the best course of action when dealing with a pest infestation. Professional pest control experts have access to certain chemicals to which the average citizen does not have access. Professionals are also trained in identifying the different species of pests and can spot the exact species with which the home is infested. They are also trained in determining which poison is the most effective in killing that variety.
Godrej HiCare Ltd, a pest management company of the Godrej group, a spin-off from Godrej Sara Lee, began operating in the Pest Control sector in 2004. The company has already established a strong presence in the major Tier 1 (Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Chennai) and Tier-2 cities (Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Kochi, Surat, Lucknow) in India and also has plans to explore further opportunities in India before expanding operations into South Asia and the United Arab Emirates.
According to S Anand, executive vice-president, Godrej HiCare Ltd was the first company to give an industry approach to pest management in India. The company provides solutions to all kinds of pests including cockroaches, termites, rodents, black & red ants, spiders, flies, mosquitoes, bed bugs and wood borers. The company has a network of Franchisees. It deploys call centres in every city to be more accessible to consumers. Its service process follow 4Ps – Prevention, Partnering, Passion and Performance.
Anand also said that the company has stepped up the use of technology in pest management. They have already been using the Therma-Cam thermal imaging camera that produces fully radiometric images and scans moving termites inside furniture and more such use of technology is in the pipeline. Introduction of gel to treat cockroaches has been another advancement in technology at Godrej HiCare Ltd.
Althouर 22 crore in 2005-06 and it has been doubling every year since. To double its turnover, Godrej HiCare has graduated from the business of pest management onto janitorial, housekeeping and concierge services. Having spun of as a separate company in 2004 from the insect repellent company, Godrej Sara Lee, Godrej HiCare has begun using HiCare as the umbrella brand as it ventures into the new services.
Rentokil and PCI are also eyeing the same market each vying to provide one-stop solutions for Pest Management and Facility Management. Sunil Surkund, MD, PCI Environmental Services Pvt. Ltd reiterated, “There is going to be huge demand in the facility management sector, especially the home cleaning area and we want to be there when it happens. In partnership with OCS Group, UK, we have already expanded our services from pest management to housekeeping, cleaning & support services, feminine hygiene care and sharps waste disposal services.”
Rentokil India Pvt. Ltd, in its nascent stage of operations in India, has brought its values from its UK-based parent company, Rentokil Initial plc. The parent company, with over 80 years of legacy is one of the leading services companies in the world today, operating in more than 49 countries. The company made its entry into India by buying out six local pest control companies. Rentokil has proven itself as an industry leader, world over, in terms of expert knowledge, innovation, technology and product development. Sam Easaw, MD, had this to say regarding Rentokil’s plans for India. “Even though pest control market has existed in India for the last five decades, it is still at an evolving stage. We believe, with the arrival Rentokil, the Indian pest control industry has witnessed a consolidation of major players leading to better service delivery to the consumers. The market is already growing at 20% per annum, but with the service providers getting more organized, the market has potential to grow at double the current rate. Rentokil will continue in it’s intent to raise the service standard benchmarks in the country.”
In India, Rentokil is in its final stages of implementing high end ERP programmes that will perfect and makes its service delivery standards unmatchable in the industry.
The company may also look at cross-flux of technicians, to provide an opportunity for its technicians to work abroad, gaining knowledge and international experience. Technical experts from other countries are also making frequent trips to India to shore up the local capabilities.
Is it going to be only pest control services for India? Sam quips, “In India, we would like to focus on pest control services for the next few years. After consolidating our operations, we would be looking towards increasing other Rentokil Initial offerings in India”. The company is aiming at the residential consumers in a big way, and plans to bring in a fleet of service delivery vans and motor bikes for servicing the residential customers.
Rentokil India recently introduced a high-end specialized reporting service to help food, retail, pharmaceutical and IT industries to comply with HACCP, GMPs, AIB, BRC, ISO and other accreditation.
The company has already acquired impressive clients in the country – Taj, GE, Dell, Deloitte, Accenture, Wipro, Intel, Ford, Hyundai, Microsoft, ITC Sheraton, IBM, Computer Associates and Leela group of hotels.
Integrated Pest Management prevents pests from getting too rowdy by using methods that are the least invasive not only to humans but also to the environment. Integrated Pest Management focuses on eliminating a pest’s food source and living space. In addition, this management method focuses on physical as well as biological ways to control the pest population.
With the advent of new players, the industry has also started to get organized (to a certain extent). Indian Pest Control Association (IPCA), an association of professional pest control companies founded in 1967 was lying dormant for a long time. With the entry of Rentokil and Godrej into the Indian Pest Control scene, the Association too has shown signs of revival. Today, it has more than 200 members from the leading pest control enterprises in India. The Association has been seen to be more proactive in recent times, becoming the official voice of the Indian pest control industry and staying closely associated with concerned Government Departments and Committees for policy-making and standards. IPCA has been at the forefront of publicizing the critical role that pest control companies play in the positive growth of the economy and health of the nation. For example, export, especially of agri-commodities, would not be possible without fumigation of such consignments.
But Anil S. Rao is not too happy with the disorganized manner in which the industry is functioning. He believes the Industry has failed to make the Government aware of the problems faced by the industry players. He says, “Take the case of methyl bromide for instance – a fumigant that is best known to man today for the purposes like quarantine and fumigation of grains. Internationally it is on the Montreal protocol which means that being an ozone depleter, it is supposed to be phased out. India being a developing country, has time up to 2015 to do so but the government in its infinite wisdom seems to be accelerating the death of methyl bromide here even though internationally there are no alternatives even today. USA is going back to using more and more of it! The US is still the primary user and it has demanded and got special exemptions. Our Government has never taken our industry into confidence or brought us into discussion while making these decisions. Infected grain that is meant for supply in India does not get fumigated with methyl bromide because it is not permitted but for an export market special permissions can be sought. Isn’t that ridiculous? As an association and as an industry we have also failed because we haven’t been as active and participatory as we should have been.”
The IPCA has plans to make the industry into one cohesive unit. Nikhil Chatterjee, who also plays the role of Hon. Secretary of the Association reiterates, “The IPCA has many plans for making the industry more responsible and efficient. We have drawn out plans for certification of companies according to the latest international standards- for food safety and hygiene. Apart from exports, the domestic market as well demands service in accordance with more stringent regulations on safety and least environmental impact. Our Industry in India would not like to be seen as lagging behind in these areas and hence has taken the issue to the next level-compliance!”
Johnson ThomasPCI: Strategising Solutions
From a simple pest control service company, to today’s complete environmental solution company, Pest Control India Pvt. Ltd has grown to occupy the leadership position in the Indian Pest Control Industry
PCI has more than 54 years of professional experience. It has made the transition from simple pest control services to complete environmental solutions, growing in size and scope, recognized today as the pioneer in pest control in India. A comprehensive range of professional pest management services, quality products and equipment are provided through 3,500 qualified personnel from over 150 offices across the nation. PCI today has enlarged its scope to include housekeeping, cleaning and hygiene services.
PCI lays great score on studying the insect’s habitat and lifestyle (entomology) to arrive at the most effective eliminator. All its products are manufactured in-house and all its solutions have been invented and designed by its in-house R&D team.
In 1977-79, PCI demonstrated that a successful mosquito campaign could be carried out for a large area such as an entire township, when it bagged the contract for mosquito control at Faridabad, near Delhi. Residential and industrial areas (including surrounding villages) were treated using larvicides and adulticides. Motan swing foggers, PCI’s first import of fogging equipment, were also introduced in this project which was highly successful and well appreciated by all residents.
The electric flying insect control system was introduced under the brand name Pest-O-Flash®, in 1979. PCI had spread its network to many more cities in the country, offering a wide range of professional services.
PCI has also set-up the Academy of Developmental Sciences to train and equip local tribals and help them attain a better quality of life. The rodent control program carried out jointly by the Bombay Municipal Corporation, the Colaba Residents’ Association and PCI in 1992 was a text book success. It was a meticulously planned and executed exercise, the objective of which was to eradicate en mass the rodents from that area. It established for a fact that concerted pest control management could work wonders with specific targets.
PCI has instituted efforts towards improving the environment and devising strategies to ensure its care.
PCI’s pioneering contribution to the field of Pest Management in India is recognised by both the industry and the general public. In 1978, PCI won the Assocham award from the Association of Chambers of Commerce for rural development and agricultural activities.
PCI occupies a unique position in that it is perhaps the only pest management company that manufactures, uses and sells its own products. PCI holds more than seventy registrations from the Central Insecticides Board, Ministry of Agriculture, Govt of India and has its own factories for formulation and manufacturing of cake and liquid pesticides and formulation and filling of fumigants and sterilant gases.
Anil Rao, avers, “Today, BCRL spearheads our commitment to environmentally sound solutions and is therefore engaged in continuous research and development of various biological control agents and bio-pesticides. We also have the advantage of a specialized urban entomology cell, to provide, testing, identification and other technical support.”
BCRL is a pioneer in pheromone trap technology, has made several innovations and standardised mass production techniques for a variety of bio-control agents, beneficial insects and bio-pesticides and has also played an important role in popularizing and transferring this technology to the field. The BCRL complex offers unparalleled R&D facilities. PCI has also instituted efforts towards improving the environment and devising strategies to ensure its care. ‘Green Grower’ a one stop garden centre was set-up and commissioned in November 1998, marking the company’s foray into horticulture thus adding a green arm to the company’s extensive array of services. Green Grower’s range of services include the sale of exotic plants, foliage, fruit trees, garden accessories, implements, landscaping, and supply of plants on wholesale and retail basis. Their rent-a-plant scheme allows clients to hire plants for a period of time in which a Green Grower horticulturist makes visits to the facility to care for the plant and keep them healthy and attractive. They also have a scheme whereby plants are attractively packaged to be offered as gifts for special occasions.
PCI’s success in it’s area of core expertise and experience has propelled the company to tie-up in 2004, with Alpha Group, the largest cleaning and facilities management company in Mauritius. The joint venture company has been providing high quality, professional pest management services through PCI’s standard operating guidelines and latest products and techniques.
Johnson ThomasInterview
What are your environmental goals at PCI
I think the ideal would be – we are looking forward to it, we haven’t achieved it yet but I think it’s not too far away – to do very high quality pest management services with a very high sensitivity to ecological contamination and environmental goals. We have done it in a large measure but there are some areas where we still don’t have the technology, we probably have to invent something which we haven’t come across. There are technologies in the pipeline and we are on to a lot of interesting things that will help us reach that goal. Twenty years ago, people sprayed all over the place, they don’t do that anymore. If we do have to spray, the quantum is much lesser and more specific. We are gradually eliminating the ecologically insensitive materials from the pest management programme. And I think that is the ideal! Going green and green!
Will it take a long time to achieve?
I don’t know. I am not adapting something that has been discovered elsewhere. We are currently on the path of discovery and we can’t estimate how much time it will take to achieve our ideals. Inventing technologies from scratch is quite a tough job. In fact, in our own lab trials it works wonderfully and even in field trials some of it works. But these are just one or two solutions. There are a host of problems out there and we have to find solutions for them…Take bed bugs for instance, they are reckoned to be the number one pests in the world currently and ironically there are no solutions for them that are totally environment friendly or ecologically sensitive. We continue to use pesticides to control the problem. There are methods of doing it without pesticides but they cannot be used in all possible scenarios.
So in this case what do you do?
Well, bed-bugs are not creatures that feed on bait. They feed on blood. So this is a challenge that we face. The international market is wide open for those who come up with solutions to these kinds of challenges and we believe we are quite close to some of the possible solutions.
What about herbal alternatives? Are you working on that area of research?
Herbal is a misrepresentation if you ask me. A lot of people claim to be manufacturing and using herbal products for pest control. Today even the developed countries abuse this term ‘green’. That is why we now have a term called ‘green washing’. Basically it’s not green, it’s just making it appear like everything is green. A shampoo that is supposedly a green shampoo may not have even 30% green ingredients. So, in essence it’s not a green shampoo. It’s about PR and not about substance. Businesses all over the world are susceptible to pandering to the fad. But we do not believe in claiming something that is not true.
But isn’t Herbal the real way to go for Pest control? Shouldn’t nature be explored to that extent?
‘Herbal’ is just a term. India was known to be the country that had a bounty of herbal solutions, cures and all. Neem was a herbal solution and it is herbal in that it is extracted from a plant. But we also know that some of the world’s most toxic substances have been extracts from plants. Does it make it safer? I think herbal is a term which has to be carefully used. It has to be used in a particular context. For pest management I think they should discard this term. Generally speaking, in the Indian market, herbal constituted Boric acid powder as it is considered relatively safe.
What are the real alternatives?
I think we will soon come up with alternatives that are truly ecologically sensitive, which do not contaminate the area that you are living or working in. There are exciting possibilities.
What about PCI goals as a company? Are you looking at International markets?
Yes, we are certainly looking at international markets. We export our products to some of them. We do some contract research for international companies in pest management.. We have a joint venture in Mauritius and we do technical consultancy in Malaysia, Thailand and Bangladesh. I think that it is not really necessary to be globally present to be a globally aware company or involved globally. Our problem is that we haven’t done enough in our own country. There is a huge gap between need and delivery.
Are you trying to bridge that gap?
The same approach would be best for homeowners too. Basic hygiene and cleanliness will prevent a pest build up. A home which is perennially neglected will always have problems because they are willingly creating them!
Did you ever get distress calls from Industries that are affected by bottle and other packaging contamination?
Yes, we did. We did a substantial amount of work for these companies. We helped identify the pests and the source of such infestation and provided a plan of action to solve it immediately as well as prevent it from happening again. It is a science that can be used accurately and effectively. Insect pests have different stages of growth from the egg to adult. On close inspection of the production date etc we can ascertain where the infestation could have occurred. Was it the raw material or did it happen post production? If the batch is two months old you can definitely be sure that the contamination occurred post production. So, the CFA agent who is actually stocking the material will have to be investigated. Is his store not looked after well? So we use the science to prescribe such preventive treatments for all the client’s raw material suppliers as well as their post production associates
What about flies and mosquitoes?
They just don’t go away…
For example, a client hotel had sudden problems with phorid flies. Identifying the insect lead us directly to the source – a wet mop in a closet which was lying unused for three-four weeks. We did not have to go through the whole facility. We knew exactly where it was. Even mosquitoes, if you know if you are being bitten in the night or the day, you can identify which mosquito it is. And once you identify that you can also identify the breeding source.
How many companies do you service?
We do not have franchisees like most others in the business do. We have a national footprint with over 125 offices in the major and secondary cities. So we are able to give companies a national contract with a standard level of service in each location which they find very convenient and preferable. We first do an audit and then present to them the entire Pest Management Protocol for all the units across the country. It works out cheaper and the service can be consistent and continuous. We can give them a daily and monthly consolidated report which they can use to keep abreast of what is happening at each location. Some of our national clients include MacDonalds, Brittania and Nestle International. We have a couple of hundred national contracts with both multinational and wholly Indian owned companies!
Where do you see the industry five years from now?
I think there will be a dramatic improvement qualitatively in the kind of specialized services offered by the pest management industry. The way I see it, I don’t think that we are attending to even twenty percent of the market today. There is huge scope for growth and many more players will arrive in the coming years! I see much more team-ups between facility management organizations and pest control service providers. We have involved ourselves in facility management in the areas of housekeeping and feminine hygiene.
What are PCI’s goals?
We want to be the standard bearer at the vanguard of the industry. That means we will always strive to be the no.1 not only in caliber and size but also in competence and for that we are going to do a lot of things that nobody else does! We were forced to make products that were not there and in the process we realized that this was where we should take the market. We have created the market and then found a way to service its needs.
What do you expect from the Government?
Reduction in taxation is one. Our industry may be recession resistant but it is not recession proof! The Government also has pest management departments that compete with private companies. Government has no business being in business but should focus its resources on governance.
From supplying rice to managing pests
र 3000 in 1954, Pest Control (India) Private Limited has grown today to have 3500 employees and have branches all over India.”
How has the journey been? It all started in Tehran , Iran in 1940. Sripad, then barely 20 years old, was working in the army supply section of the United Kingdom Commercial Corporation, during the second World War, in charge of supplying rice, sugar, jute and other articles received from leased lands to the Russian region. He was also in charge of fumigating the war supplies. The food was often infested with pests and he wanted to do something about this once he returned home. He started the first pest control company Goodwill Pest Control in Mumbai in 1946. His wife and two children were with him then, but later moved to the native town Karkala in Karnataka, South India. “I used Swiss Company Geigy’s DDT, Zinc phosphide and also imported Warfarin.” But, things were not going as expected, despite the fact that Sripad got Kailashpati Singhania of JK Group as his first client. “There was no awareness of the need to control pests” says he. “There was a client from Marine Lines who wanted me to catch the rats alive from his house and release them in his neighbour’s house!”
When his first venture folded up, Singhania gave him the job of a horticulturist cum estate manager. After Independence, things started looking up and he called back his family. His heart was still in pest control and in 1951 he restarted the business with his elder brother while still working with the JK group. While his brother worked during the day, Sripad worked carried out fumigation work during the night. As the business picked up, he formed Pest Control (India) Pvt Limited in 1954 with his two brothers. In 1960, he became a member of the National Pest Control Association, visited the UK and trained at Rentokil. “Today, PCI is a र 200 crore company. I toiled in the beginning. My only aim was to give employment to people.”
The senior Rao says he owes his and PCI’s success to his wife who possessed tremendous energy be it in the matters of the company or the staff, or in holding the family together. Together they nurtured their love for nature and greenery: Sripad started Friends of Trees in 1957 and the first flower show was held in the same year. He has developed a farm in Karjat and is planning an eye hospital there. He is still the Chairman of various organizations. For, people like him are not allowed to retire