SAFE, EFFECTIVE, AND EFFICIENT
THERMAL HEAT TREATMENT
THE AXON ADVANTAGE
WHAT IS HEAT TREATMENT?
Thermal pest control, commonly referred to as "heat treatments," represents a key component within an effective Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy. The overarching aim of this approach is to provide sustainable solutions for pest management while minimizing the reliance on chemicals and insecticides, reserving them as a last resort.
Heat treatments encompass various techniques suitable for eradicating pests such as bed bugs, with their applicability contingent upon the extent and scale of the infestation. These techniques encompass a spectrum of options, ranging from employing common household appliances like washers and dryers to utilizing portable heating devices, steamers, and specialized heat chambers.
Professionals in the pest control field often employ whole-room heat treatment to combat severe infestations. This process entails systematically elevating the temperature within a structure or space to levels that are lethal to all invading bed bugs and other insects.
During a heat treatment procedure, every nook and cranny of your residence is thoroughly penetrated by heat, effectively eliminating pests at any stage of their life cycle. In contrast to sprays and powders, which pests can sometimes evade, heat leaves them with nowhere to hide.
HOW DOES HEAT TREATMENT WORK?
Achieving effective heat treatment isn't as straightforward as cranking up the thermostat in your house or apartment. Instead, this specialized procedure necessitates the involvement of a pest control expert equipped with the necessary tools to carefully raise the temperature within a designated area to precise levels.
During a thermal heat treatment, the indoor environment is gradually elevated to temperatures ranging from approximately 57 °C to 63 °C. This gradual increase is crucial to prevent any structural damage to the building. Depending on the extent of the infestation, the process typically spans a duration of 6 to 12 hours to ensure thorough heating.
Primarily, heat treatment finds its most frequent application in combatting bed bug infestations. Bed bugs succumb to temperatures of approximately 49 °C after just 20 minutes of exposure. Their eggs, while somewhat hardier, require up to 49 °C for up to 90 minutes for effective extermination.
Moreover, various other insects can be targeted using ambient heat, each with their specific temperature requirements, including fleas (approx. 35 °C), mites (approx. 54 °C), carpet beetles (approx. 49 °C), and moths (with variations depending on the species).
WHAT TYPE OF EQUIPMENT IS NEEDED?
HEATERS – Depending on the size and layout of the location, we typically utilize industrial-grade electric heaters or a specialized heat rig with a built-in generator.
FANS – Fans are employed to evenly distribute the heat to guarantee comprehensive coverage of the entire area, ensuring that heat reaches all potential hiding spots for pests.
THERMOMETERS – Our pest control experts rely on remote thermometers and heat gun thermometers to confirm that all regions, including common hiding spots, attain the required temperatures.
With this equipment, we can safely and uniformly elevate the temperature of every area of your home or apartment to approximately 60 °C. This level of ambient heat will effectively eliminate pests without causing harm to structures or furniture.
IS HEAT TREATMENT DIFFERENT FROM SPRAYING OR FUMIGATION?
EFFICIENCY
Thermal treatment boasts a significant advantage over alternative methods, such as cryo and pesticides: it typically necessitates only a single visit.
In the case of pesticide treatment for bed bugs, a follow-up treatment is usually required 14 days later to target any bugs that may have hatched subsequent to the initial treatment.
However, thermal treatment proves lethal to bugs at all stages of their life cycle, including eggs, thereby obviating the need for a second round of intervention.
PREPARATION
The preparatory steps essential for thermal pest control are often notably less demanding compared to those required for conventional pest eradication methods.
Before undergoing heat treatment, you should undertake measures such as disconnecting electronic devices, decluttering, and inspecting and removing heat-sensitive items. Items like mattresses and other furniture can remain in their original positions.
Given that heat has the capacity to permeate around larger furniture items, there's no necessity to relocate them from their positions against walls or corners, as is often required for pesticide application. When professionals are applying pesticides in your infested space, they typically require unobstructed access to areas that might be blocked by furniture.
SAFETY AND ECO-FRIENDLY & ENVIRONMENTALLY SAFE
Heat treatment stands out as a chemical-free approach to pest control.
For individuals concerned about the introduction of chemicals into their homes or those with health-related apprehensions regarding pesticides, thermal pest control serves as a preferable alternative due to its absence of enduring residue.
HOW DO I PREPARE FOR A HEAT TREATMENT?
If you opt for heat treatment as your preferred pest control method, there are several proactive steps you can take to prepare your home and safeguard specific possessions from potential damage.
Declutter: Begin by tidying up your space, discarding any items that can be disposed of, and elevating smaller belongings off the floor.
Temperature-Sensitive Items: Identify and remove items that may be sensitive to temperatures exceeding 54 °C (130 °F), such as plastics, candles, houseplants, and fresh foods. Safeguard these items in a cooler area during the heat treatment process.
Electronic Devices: Prior to the treatment, ensure the safety of your electronic devices by unplugging them from power sources. This precautionary measure will help prevent any heat-related damage to your electronics.
Item Handling: Refrain from moving or placing items into bags unless you intend to wash them or have conducted a thorough inspection. This will help ensure that you do not inadvertently transport any pests to unaffected areas.
By following these guidelines, you can effectively prepare your home for heat treatment while minimizing the risk of damage to your belongings.
IS HEAT TREATMENT THE RIGHT SOLUTION FOR MY HOME OR BUSINESS?
Heat Treatments as a method of thermal pest control can effectively eliminate pest problems after just one visit, doesn’t require the use of pesticides, and takes less time than other forms of pest control.
As is the case with all forms of Integrated Pest Management, heat treatment is most effective when combined with other methods. As part of our thermal pest control program, Axon Extermination also performs exclusion and proofing, which limits the potential for new pests from entering and existing pests from escaping to neighboring homes/apartments during the treatment.
If you’d like to learn more about the heat treatment process, contact Axon Extermination and our experienced pest control experts will be happy to answer your questions.
Eliminate unwanted pests and protect your home and business by ensuring they don’t come back
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