Excitement at Ecolab Over Pest Intelligence Rollout

In 2026, Ecolab Global Pest Elimination (#3) is ramping up the rollout of its AI-powered Pest Intelligence platform, which company leaders expect to be a key driver of the division’s growth.

Unveiled as a cornerstone of Ecolab’s digital strategy during its Investor Day in Minneapolis last September, Ecolab said Pest Intelligence represents a shift from traditional service models toward a fully connected, data-driven approach. The platform combines remote monitoring devices, cloud-based analytics and on-site expertise to deliver continuous, outcome-based pest management.

“We’re focused on accelerating the global deployment of Pest Intelligence…with the goal of transforming our business into a fully digital, AI-enabled service over the next two to three years,” said Soraya Hlila, executive vice president and general manager of Ecolab Global Pest Elimination.

FROM CONCEPT TO SCALE. The foundation for Pest Intelligence began taking shape around 2022, with early pilots and development work focused on testing and refining the technology. By 2025, Ecolab made a strategic decision to scale the platform across its entire pest elimination business.

Today, more than half a million connected devices, primarily remote monitoring rodent traps, have been installed globally. The company plans to surpass 1 million devices in 2026, part of a broader push to become fully digitally connected within two years. If achieved, pest elimination would become Ecolab’s first fully digitized business unit.

Julie Marquardt, vice president, corporate technologies for global RD&E, Ecolab, said the platform is built through a combination of internal innovation and external integration.

“We’re essentially agnostic in the sense that we will do whatever it takes to find the best solution,” Marquardt said. “However, the integration itself is entirely Ecolab’s, and the intelligence we apply — the AI layered on top — that is uniquely ours.”

HOW IT WORKS. At its core, Pest Intelligence delivers continuous visibility into pest activity. Connected devices monitor rodent activity around the clock, transmitting data to cloud-based systems that analyze patterns, identify risks and trigger real-time alerts.

The platform’s capabilities include 24/7 monitoring in hard-to-access areas, real-time alerts, root-cause analysis and prescriptive service recommendations. By layering artificial intelligence onto these data streams, Ecolab says it can pinpoint pressure points, identify high-risk zones and guide technicians toward faster, more targeted interventions.

The result is a shift from reactive service to proactive prevention. “Within Food Retail, we saw the perfect opportunity to prove that Pest Intelligence not only delivers an overall better customer experience and outcomes, but it truly transforms and elevates the partnership as a whole. We’ve helped our customers reach pest-free environments faster than traditional methods,” said Deedee Smith, senior vice president and general manager of pest elimination, Ecolab North America.

SERVICE SPECIALIST EXPERIENCE. To bring the technology to life, Marquardt stepped into the role of “Service Specialist Julie” during a live demonstration at last year’s Investor Day, walking attendees through how Pest Intelligence transforms a technician’s daily workflow.

Marquardt noted that traditionally, a technician might spend the majority of a visit manually inspecting dozens of traps, bending down to check each one individually across a site that could include more than 30 monitoring points.

“With Pest Intelligence, I already know what I’m walking into before I even arrive,” Marquardt said during the demo. “I know where the alerts are and where I need to focus my time.”

Using a digital map and mobile application, technicians can see real-time activity across a facility and prioritize areas that require immediate attention. Instead of checking every device, they can bypass inactive monitors and concentrate on problem zones.

In one example, Marquardt highlighted a warehouse storing pet food, where rodent pressure can originate from incoming shipments. An alert tied to a snap trap allowed for same-day response, helping prevent a small issue from spreading.

The system also supports a more consultative approach. Rather than simply addressing the immediate problem, technicians can identify upstream causes, such as supply chain issues, and advise customers on corrective actions.

In a food service setting, the platform flagged cockroach activity near a beverage station, a common hot spot due to sugary residue. With early detection, technicians can follow targeted treatment protocols without shutting down operations, minimizing business disruptions.

Marquardt also demonstrated how Ecolab’s fly monitoring systems incorporate vision AI technology. Devices capture images of flyboards at regular intervals, automatically counting insects. That data is then relayed to technicians, helping them determine when maintenance or further investigation is needed.

“All of this information is at our fingertips before we even step on site,” she said. “That allows us to be more effective, more efficient and ultimately serve more customers in a day.”

TRAINING AND ADOPTION. As the rollout scales, Ecolab is emphasizing technician readiness as a key component of success. Smith said that by the end of first quarter 2026, the business was fully at scale, with every member of the field team having completed at least one Pest Intelligence installation and many having completed significantly more. That hands-on experience is helping build technical confidence across the workforce while accelerating adoption in the field.

At the same time, the technology is reshaping how the role of technician is perceived. With dozens of traps on a typical account, technicians historically spent much of their time on repetitive physical checks. Pest Intelligence replaces that manual workload with targeted, insight-driven service. Instead of bending down to inspect 30 or more devices, technicians now arrive with a clear understanding of where to go and what actions to take. The shift places greater emphasis on problem-solving and decision-making.

Ecolab leaders say that evolution not only improves efficiency but also makes the job safer and more attractive to current and prospective employees.

“It’s a more informed job,” Hlila said. “Our teams have information at their fingertips, and they can use their brainpower to solve problems rather than spending time on repetitive tasks.”

MEASURABLE OUTCOMES. Ecolab says Pest Intelligence is designed to deliver up to 99% pest-free outcomes, a notable increase over industry averages near 90% and the company’s current baseline of about 94%, Ecolab reports.

In one global retail pilot, Hlila said the technology reduced remaining pest risk by half. Customers are also reporting significant cost savings tied to reduced labor, fewer disruptions and improved operational efficiency, according to the firm.

“The strongest feedback comes from measurable results,” Hlila said. “Beyond cost savings, we help protect brand reputation and ensure operational continuity.”

The shift to outcome-based service is also a key differentiator. Rather than charging based on visits or equipment, Ecolab is positioning Pest Intelligence as a value-driven solution centered on performance and results.

A SCALABLE GROWTH ENGINE. Looking ahead, Ecolab plans to expand Pest Intelligence across additional geographies, including Europe and China, while continuing to enhance its AI capabilities and broaden coverage to more pest types.

The company sees the platform not just as a technology upgrade, but as a scalable growth engine. By combining its global customer base with a differentiated, data-driven service model, Ecolab aims to strengthen its competitive position and unlock new revenue opportunities.

“The difference isn’t just connected devices; those have existed for years,” Hlila said. “It’s how we use data to deliver outcomes.”

As deployment accelerates and adoption grows, Pest Intelligence is expected to play an instrumental role in the division’s performance in the coming years.

The author is editor of PCT.