NEWS: Pest Tech 2025 - Fastest Retrofit Challenge Results
The Fastest Retrofit Challenge at Pest Tech 2025 offered a hands-on look at how quickly existing insect light traps can be upgraded using Opti-Catch retrofit LED lamps. Pest controllers from across the industry took part, with winning times showing that a full lamp change can be completed in well under 20 seconds. The challenge attracted both experienced technicians and newcomers, demonstrating the simplicity and accessibility of the retrofit process.
By fitting any trap that uses starters, Opti-Catch lamps remove the need for multiple lamp types and offer a practical, energy-efficient alternative to full-unit replacements—making LED upgrades faster, easier, and more cost-effective.
This year’s Pest Tech once again brought together pest control professionals from across the UK for a busy day of exhibitions, product demonstrations, and hands-on learning. Hosted by the National Pest Technicians Association (NPTA) at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes, it’s always a highlight in the pest control calendar — and this year, visitors to the Opti-Catch stand had the chance to take part in something a little different.
The Fastest Retrofit Challenge
To give pest controllers a feel for how simple the Opti-Catch retrofit process really is, we invited them to go head-to-head in a timed challenge. The task? Remove a fluorescent lamp and replace it with an Opti-Catch retrofit LED - as quickly as possible.
No tools or rewiring required, just a straightforward lamp swap. And as the results showed, it’s a job that can be done in seconds.
Leaderboard Highlights
🥇 1st Place: Jamie Hallett – ASW Pest Control Specialists Ltd – 17.51 seconds
🥈 2nd Place: Harry Miller – Destrodent Pest Control – 19.93 seconds
🏅 Top Female Competitor: Tuesday Bennett – Unisol – 20.48 seconds
These impressive times show that while our demo video demonstrates a retrofit in under 60 seconds, it’s actually possible to do it in less than half that time.
Full Fastest Retrofit Challenge Leaderboard
Some amazing times on the leaderboard below.
Well done everyone who took part, you all successfully retrofitted our insect light trap in under 60 seconds!
And a whopping 58% of pest controllers swapped the 2 fluorescent lamps to Opti-Catch retrofit LED in under 30 seconds! This demonstrates just how quick and easy it is to retrofit an existing trap rather than fit a whole new trap.
Experienced Hands and New Faces
Many of those who took part were experienced pest controllers who regularly change lamps in insect light traps as part of their routine work. But one participant took on the challenge having never changed a lamp before, using the opportunity to learn something new and explore adding lighting maintenance to their services.
It was great to see the mix of experience and enthusiasm from everyone who took part - and how quickly people got the hang of it.
Quick, Simple and Universal
The challenge highlighted just how straightforward it is to upgrade to Opti-Catch LED lamps. There’s no need to replace entire units - just retrofit the lamps and start saving on energy, maintenance and downtime.
Opti-Catch retrofit LED lamps are compatible with any insect light trap that uses starters, meaning pest controllers don’t need to carry multiple lamp types to service different models.
Thank You
A big thank you to everyone who took part in the challenge and stopped by the stand at Pest Tech. Your enthusiasm and competitive spirit made it a real highlight for the team.
If you didn’t get a chance to try it yourself, take a look at our YouTube demo video to see just how quick and easy it is to make the switch to LED with Opti-Catch.
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