Consumer magazine published an article about rodent traps for their August-September 2018 issue and website. The journalist, Tessa Johnston, was provided with the information she requested. The final article however, intimated that our products make misleading claims.

In response to that article, here are the facts about our scientific testing:

Scientific testing

Ray Connell, the Owner of Pest Free Australia (Pty) Ltd had his technology trademarked and scientifically tested in 1996. These results were released to the Federal Court when the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) alleged Plug In Pest Free did not work.

The testing was the result of a two year, double-blind study undertaken in a leading Australian University  The Emeritus Professor who led the study has 42 years experience and is regarded by the United Nations as being an expert in his field. Evidence based on field reports and from Pest Free’s installed base was also given.

Proven in a court of law

The evidence was presented to the Federal Court in Sydney by the Queens Council Barrister representing Pest Free against the ACCC in 2002-2004. The Federal Court accepted the scientific testing. ACCC discontinued their action against Pest Free and the Federal Court ordered ACCC to pay Pest Free’s costs.

The Federal Court approved Pest Free Australia to continue advertising that its technology affects rats and mice and aids in the control of cockroaches. The Court allowed Pest Free to claim that its products have been proven to work in a court of law. (Pest Free is the only chemical-free product in the world to have such Federal Court Approval).

Consumer did not view the evidence

Mr. Connell agreed to show Consumer Magazine the evidence face to face. Tessa Johnston was invited to visit the Pest Free Head Office to review this data, as HACCP themselves did.

He would not send it to her however. There are many substandard products on the market that try to emulate the Pest Free technology. So this data remains under lock and key in Australia as recommended by Pest Free’s Queens Council Barrister.

For example, Pestrol is a copycat product in New Zealand. Jon Fennell, the owner of Pestrol in NZ, used part of Pest Free’s testing when his advertising was challenged by the NZ Commerce Commission. He claimed his product operated the same as Plug In Pest Free. 

Pestrol was advised by Pest Free that legal action would be taken against him if he used the Pest Free scientific testing to falsely represent the efficacy of his Pestrol product. The Commerce Commission is aware of his fraudulent submission. Mr Fennell and Pestrol have had complaints for false and misleading advertising upheld.

Plug-In Pest Free (NZ) have never been charged, nor asked to change their ads, as the Commerce Commission understood the veracity of the Emeritus Professor’s testing, as did the Federal Court in Sydney.

HACCP certification

The Pest Free Commercial and Pro units have full HACCP International certification. Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) is an internationally recognised system used to identify and manage significant food safety hazards and ensure food safety for your business. Pest Free is the only electromagnetic technology that has this certification.

Rat traps?

The article notes that ‘Pest Management Association of New Zealand executive officer Peter Barry, who’s been in the pest control business for more than 30 years, said the ‘traps were “frowned upon” in the industry’.  We assume this sentence was meant to be placed elsewhere in the article – where traps were actually being reviewed. Pest Free does not trap rodents.

Does Plug In Pest Free work?

Yes. Plug-In Pest Free has been proven to work and we stand by our product 100%. That’s why we have an unconditional, 60-day money back guarantee*. There are many copycat products available, usually cheaper, but Plug-In Pest Free is the only electromagnetic pest control device that has been proven to work.