Project Organization That Promotes The Use Of New Knowledge In Pest Control

It is often challenging to communicate research results and convince different stakeholders to use new control methods. When Norway experienced an “invasion” of the nuisance pest Ctenolepisma longicaudatum, lack of knowledge and massive media attention escalated the societal response towards extreme fear of a mostly harmless insect. To quell this new pest situation, we established a collaboration project involving government institutions, most of the Norwegian pest control companies (suppliers), and the insurance industry (purchasers). Solution requirements were mapped from both the purchaser and the supplier point of view, and the connection to both parties was carefully maintained throughout the project. Research aims shifted during the course of the project and were always adjusted in collaboration between all stakeholders. Because all participants had influence over research questions and the project progression, their ownership to the results was strengthened. This promoted dissemination of the findings, and new poisoned baits strategies were deployed nationwide without any delay. This project points at key elements in successful development and application of new pest control strategies.