B&G Sprayers - Clean That Filter for Productivity & Profit

The B&G Sprayer is the lifeblood of most pest control professionals.  We use our B&Gs every day to service our clients.  We rely on it as much as we rely on our truck.  It is critical to treat the B&G 1 Gallon Sprayer like the important piece of equipment that it is.

One of the most important things a pest professional can do to ensure great performance from their B&G is to check and clean the filter.
A clogged B&G filter will cause downtime, missed appointments and unnecessary repair expense.
Check out the B&G filters in these two photos.  Both were brought into our pest control equipment repair shop for service.

Of course we appreciate the business, but I think it is crazy for a pest control professional to pay someone else to clean their filter.  This is something every pest control technician should be responsible for him or herself.
Unfortunately, it does take two wrenches to open the spray wand to get to the filter.  This is probably the reason these filters don't get checked more frequently.

Photo: Top - old B&G Filter screen that had not been cleaned in quite some time.
Bottom: what a new B&G filter screen looks like.

 Key Points:
1. Your B&G Sprayer is critical to your business; take care of it.
2. Inspect and clean your B&G filter screen periodically (at least monthly)
3. If you are a pest technician and don't know how to do it, ASK.
4. If you are the Company owner or manager inspect your tech's B&Gs to ensure they are being properly cared for.
5.  Don't assume techncians are doing it right.  Provide reinforcement training to technicians on B&G's proper care and maintenance.
6.  Keep spare parts, such as filter screens available to avoid downtime.
7.  Consider keeping a backup B&G to prevent downtime.

B&G Sprayer Tips

Tips to save money on your B&G Sprayer:

-          Tip Cleaning – Follow manufacturer directions for cleaning tips.  This usually includes using a soft bristle brush and mild cleaner.  Wire brushes, pins, pocketknives, etc. will destroy tips.

-          Tip Wear – One study reported that brass tips wear out at about 10% per year.  This means every year your tip is putting out 10% more product than it was last year.  A new B&G Tip (about $20) is cheaper than a 10% increase in chemical cost.

-          Prevent Downtime - Keep the old tip as a backup.  Store in the vehicle in your emergency repair kit.

-          B&G Sprayer 4-Way Tip – is great if you use multiple spray patterns.  If you only use 1 or 2 of the patterns, substituting industry available Spraying Systems parts is cheaper and easier.  See the 2 photos. 

=  The 1st shows the typical B&G Sprayer assembly (wand, modified assembly, tip, retaining ring).  This tip assembly is about $45 in parts (excluding the wand).                                           

=  The 2^nd photo shows how to do it with industry standard parts.  The modified assembly is removed.  All that is needed is the tip and the retaining ring.  This tip assembly is about $10 in parts.

-          Secure your B&G sprayer in the truck.  Lots of B&G sprayers get damaged from rolling around in the back of the vehicle or being crushed by other unsecured equipment.

-          It’s a Spray Wand not a Crowbar – Our repair shop sees many B&G sprayers’ wands and tips that are damaged from opening gates, moving trash & debris, being dragged on the ground and other inappropriate uses.