Comparing connectivity solutions for smart pest control devices

As technology-led pest control becomes more prominent and commercially viable for larger numbers of businesses, it can be tough to know which connectivity solution is right for you. In this blog, we compare connectivity solutions for smart pest control to help you understand the technology available and avoid potential pitfalls.

Pest Pulse believes a direct to cloud solution is the best option, with the ability to install smart devices and proactively monitor activity before an infestation occurs, whilst benefiting from real time alerts and analytics.

Pest Pulse uses both Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) and 2G devices, enabling deployment anywhere, including areas with little or no signal by utilising a different connectivity provider. The benefit of this is that we do not require a base station, our devices work internally and externally, and there is no difference in device for customers or technicians.

Utilising NB-IoT and 2G (GPRS) devices, we leverage connectivity from cellular infrastructures which have been running for decades and have designed both mouse and rat variants of each of our products.

Considerations for Smart Pest Control Solutions

There are many potential connectivity solutions which we review below, each that come with pitfalls around battery consumption, range and coverage, overall cost, and complexity of installation.

It's always good to know before buying a smart pest control solution what connectivity technology is used and how it could affect the way you deploy it on sites.

Additional considerations that can be addressed by smart pest control is the need to be less reliant on rodenticide, as growing numbers of rodents have mutated to become resistant to the most commonly used rodenticides, and the increasing pressure to prioritise green solutions. Our rodent traps are 100% non-toxic, creating healthier environments for workplaces and public spaces.

So, when it comes to connectivity solutions for smart pest control, here’s all you need to know…

Wi-Fi

There is normally a Wi-Fi connection at most commercial sites already, enabling smart pest control without any added complications. Worldwide free frequency band and a small antenna size are benefits in addition to the saved connectivity cost – and Wi-Fi is, of course, a very well-established technology.

However, business Wi-Fi is renowned for intermittent performance and is restricted in its use to areas within its coverage. Signal strength is varied, range is limited, and most corporate Wi-Fi networks have strict security requirements which can prevent connectivity.

Pros

• Readily available and widely used
• Cheap to establish and expand networks
• Connection is relatively easy
• Great bandwidth
• Interoperability with Smart Phones, Computers
• No device subscription with IOT network operator

Cons

• Heavy power consumption usually means devices need to be mains powered of frequently re-charged
• Needs a gateway or router to connect to the cloud
• Limited range and signal penetration indoor
• Co-existence with other networks in the same frequency band
• Security can be an issue when using corporate networks
• Coverage can be limited or non-existent in subfloors of remote areas

Target Applications

• Indoor deployments for residential / commercial building requiring good data throughputs and frequent user interface

Sigfox

Sigfox is a narrowband (or ultra-narrowband) technology that was developed in France. SigFox is a popular connectivity option used by a number of smart pest control devices.

Sigfox networks are supported by country operators who are in charge of the network infrastructure (i.e. base stations). Sigfox enables seamless integration and a single connectivity provider, with end-to-end security and a much lower battery consumption than alternatives. It’s long-range gives it an edge over Wi-Fi but still presents challenges around coverage, which can be an issue with SigFox and in some cases base stations may be required to enable connectivity increasing the cost of your install.

The small packet size of sigfox typically means it's only used for monitoring small snippets of data such as temperature, snap trap activation, Co2 Levels etc and not for large data communications such as photos or videos.

Pros

• Long range
• Very Good battery life
• Easy to integrate to new products
• Secured hardware registration
• Devices geolocalisation control

Cons

• Very limited data allowance
• Limited downlink functionality
• Limited indoor performances
• No support to update firmware remotely

Target Applications

Outdoor tracking or light indoor applications using battery powered devices with ultra low data requirements (e.g. few messages a day).

NB-IoT

NB-IoT is a Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) radio technology standard developed by 3GPP to enable a wide range of cellular devices and services. Therefore, you can leverage existing cellular infrastructure and achieve high connection density. NB-IoT offers low battery consumption and good coverage in areas where rolled out.

Module costs can be higher with NB-IoT in comparison with alternatives, and a SIM card is required but in some cases these sim cards are built directly onto the device meaning you don't need to worry about maintaining extra sims cards.

Pros

• Long range and can be used indoors and outdoors
• Good battery life
• Growing support and a being relatively new means NB-IoT is a popular choice for new devices
• No base stations required (direct to cloud)
• Easy to install

Cons

• Coverage is increasing but can be limited in some areas.

Target Applications

Large Indoor and Outdoor deployments for commercial and industrial buildings.

2G (GPRS)

As a mature technology, 2G is already well-established, making for an easy installation and integration. 2G offers excellent bandwidth and protocol support, with widespread coverage.

It does, however, result in higher battery consumption compared to lighter weight technologies such as SigFox and NB-IoT.

One of the key long-term challenges with 2G is its status as a legacy technology, meaning it is progressively being shut down but more mobile network providers are recognising the importance of its use as an IoT technology.

Pro's

• Long range
• Great coverage indoor and outdoor
• Good battery life
• Future-proof technology
• Multiple connectivity 
• Growing support and a being relatively new means NB-IoT is a popular choice for new devices
• No base stations required (direct to cloud)
• Supports multiple communication protocols used by modern Cloud infrastructures

Con's

• Coverage is increasing but can be limited in some areas.
• Device first registration on network can take a few mins slowing install times
• Remote firmware update will be a challenge

Target Applications

Large Indoor and Outdoor deployments for commercial and industrial buildings.

LoRa

LoRa (Long Range) is a spread-spectrum technology with a wider band that enables long range and good bandwidth for most IoT use cases. LoRa provides the flexibility to use the LoRaWAN (Long Range Wide Area Network) stack or develop a custom protocol, however it also requires a gateway or public LoRaWAN network. In general, modules can be more expensive when compared with Sigfox.

Pros

• Long range 
• Indoor/Outdoor applications
• Flexibility to use LoRaWAN or custom LoRa solution
• Good battery life

Cons

• Requires LoRaWan Indoor or Outdoor Gateways for connectivity
• Coverage is increasing but can be limited in some areas.

Target Applications

Large Indoor and Outdoor deployments for commercial and industrial buildings.

Conclusion

The possibilities of IoT in business use cases are vast as are the every growing array of devices and connectivity options.

Smart pest control is just one example of how cellular connectivity can help digitally transform a business resulting in greater operational efficiency and reduced cost, boosting environmental credentials and adhering to regulations.

If you're considering buying a smart pest control device ensure you know the benefits and downfalls of each connectivity option and always check to ensure the area you are deploying them in has coverage.

If you'd like to learn more about how Pest Pulse uses our solutions then get in touch today!

‍