Thermal Remediation - Heat Treatments to eliminate Bed Bugs, Moths, Beetles, Weevils, Fleas and other Parasitic & Insect Pests.

Non-Toxic - Domestic, Industrial and Commercial Equipment

1. FACTS ON HEAT TREATMENTS

The use of heat for controlling Stored-Product insects. According to the Environmental Protection Agencies like (EPA), “Integrated pest management (IPM) is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices.
IPM programs use current, comprehensive information on the life cycles of pests and their interactions with the environment. This information, in combination with available pest control methods, is used to manage pest damage by the most economical means, with the least possible hazard to people, property and the environment.
IPM programs take advantage of all pest management options possible, including, but not limited to, the judicious use of pesticides.

 

The use of high temperature (heat) as a non-chemical alternative to fumigation is a feasible treatment for stored product insect control in food processing facilities. The concept of heating a flour mill for insect control is not new. Attempts made in the early 1900’s encouraged some food processing companies to use the technique for several years. However, the use of heat disappeared perhaps due to concerns of equipment and structural damage, especially with the amount of wood in the mills at that time. Since fumigants were available, the use of heat was put on the back burner. The current consumer attitude toward chemicals, along with subsequent restrictions, have provided a challenge to control stored-product insects in flour mills and food processing facilities without these fumigants i.e., methyl bromide. Depending on whom you talk with or what you read, you may discover various parameters of temperature, time and humidity. Temperatures may vary from 45°C to 80°C, time varies from 12 hours to 36 hours, and not much is known about humidity. Some general historical, structural, mechanical and electrical (computerised automation) improvements make it important to clarify parameters that are effective for insect control yet not damage these mechanical and/or electrical materials, especially with repeated treatments.
The specific temperature for insect mortality will depend upon the type of insect and ‘genetic’ heat tolerance. Common stored product insects, i.e., the flour beetle, may require different parameters than other beetles such as the cigarette beetle (generally known to be more heat tolerant).

Temperature: Other common insects such as weevils, cockroaches, moths and flies may require higher or lower temperatures. It is generally accepted that the specific temperature for mortality will vary depending upon the stage of the insect life cycle. It is assumed insects acclimated to higher temperatures will become more tolerant to heat than those not acclimated. Therefore, the minimum effective heat parameters for Winter may be different in Summer. It is important to identify the insect species and know their characteristics (if known, heat-related) before establishing any heat parameters.

Duration: The specific time will depend upon ambient conditions, application technique, and building / equipment design. Time requirements and application technique for a structural heat treatment should be developed with help from engineering or experienced heat treatment experts.

Humidity: The specific humidity will depend upon ambient conditions, design of building and equipment, application technique (humidification) and type of heat i.e., electric or steam. In order to determine effective temperature and time, humidity must be maintained at a known level.

Source: By Ole Dosland, Technical Training Director Copesan Services, Inc.

2. WHY YOU SHOULD USE HEAT TREATMENTS

Traditional insect infestations are often managed with fumigants (Phosphine, methyl bromide, and sulfuryl fluoride), insecticide fogging/aerosols and residual insecticides.

Chemical fumigants pose not only environmental concerns and are hazardous due to toxicity. For example, methyl bromide has been phased out in many countries since 2005 as it depletes the stratospheric ozone layer (Montreal Protocol). Phosphine has been known to have a corrosive effect on electrical circuitry and some insects have developed tolerance/resistance to it.
Sulfuryl fluoride has concerns regarding the fluoride residues.
Fogging/aerosols kill by surface contact and may not be effective as they have low penetration capability.
To avoid all the above, non-toxic treatments like heat are a perfect proven alternative. Heat treatments are very effective at any stage of an insect that is a pest.

3. TARGETS

	BEETLES
Red Flour Beetles (Tribolium castaneum)	Confused Flour Beetles (Tribolium confusum)	Tobacco/Cigarette Beetles (Lasioderma serricorne)
Warehouse Beetles (Trogoderma variabile)	Saw-toothed Grain Beetles (Oryzaephilus surinamensis)	Lesser Grain Borer (Rhyzopertha dominica)
Drugstore Beetles (Stegobium paniceum)
	WEEVILS
Rice Weevils (Sitophilus oryzae)	Wheat Weevils (Sitophilus granarius)
	MOTHS
Indian Meal Moths (Plodia interpunctella)	Angoumois Grain Moths (Sitotroga cerealella)	Clothes Moths (Tineola bisselliella)
SPECIFIC
Bed Bugs  (Cimex lectularius)	Mites	Odor Control-Smell

Traditional insect infestations are often managed with fumigants (Phosphine, methyl bromide, and sulfuryl fluoride), insecticide fogging/aerosols and residual insecticides.

Chemical fumigants pose not only environmental concerns and are hazardous due to toxicity. For example, methyl bromide has been phased out in many countries since 2005 as it depletes the stratospheric ozone layer (Montreal Protocol). Phosphine has been known to have a corrosive effect on electrical circuitry and some insects have developed tolerance/resistance to it.
Sulfuryl fluoride has concerns regarding the fluoride residues.
Fogging/aerosols kill by surface contact and may not be effective as they have low penetration capability.
To avoid all the above, non-toxic treatments like heat are a perfect proven alternative. Heat treatments are very effective at any stage of an insect that is a pest.

THE EQUIPMENT

The heat treatment components are:
• Industrial specially designed heaters
• Industrial specially designed fans
• Temperature monitoring system
Note: the above is made to last in heat conditions up to 85°C.

Note: Circulating air is different than blowing air. Once you have done a treatment where it’s hotter on the floor than under the ceiling, you will know why this can be of advantage.

5. WHERE CAN YOU USE HOTWAVE HEAT TREATMENTS

FOOD PROCESSING PLANTS	MILLING INDUSTRY
Pasta, Cereal, Bakeries, Baby Food, Pet Food, etc	Flour Mills, Rice Mills, Wheat Mills, Rye Mills
STORAGE STRUCTURES	MANUFACTURERS
Bins & Silos – concrete and steel	Tobacco Industry, Breweries, High-Tech Industry
WAREHOUSES	ACCOMMODATION
Food, Beverage, etc.	Hotels, Motels, Backpacker, Motor Homes & Caravans, Private Homes and Schools

About Bedbugs

The Bedbug
lat.: Cimex lectularius

This bloodsucking ectoparasite attacks mammals, birds, and humans. Fully grown bedbugs have a length of 4-7mm (when ungorged) and a yellow to reddish-brown appearance. When gorged, they reach 9mm in length; in such cases the abdomen becomes increasingly black. While the bedbug hides during the day, at night it goes out in search of a host to fund nourishment. At 18-22°C room temperature, the fully grown animal sucks every 3-7 days for 3 to 20 minutes each time.

At ideal temperatures and with sufficient nourishment, a bedbug has a lifespan of up to 18 months. A female lays up to 300 eggs at an average rate of 3 per day.

Hoteliers and private households are sounding the alarm!

Until only a few years ago, bedbugs were considered extinct, but now they are here again. Exterminators blame resistance to insecticides, increased global travel activity, and an increased sensitivity in society to the use of pesticides and insecticides. Once you have the little parasites in your house, it is not so easy to get rid of them again.

The sure signs of a bedbug infestation are:
An unbearable itching, generally several bites in a row (the bedbug “street”), small spots of blood on the sheets, and a sweet-seeming smell in the room.

Bed Bug Problem?

The solution is heat!

Heat Treatment Equipment is a revolutionary pest control technique, extremely effective in the fight against bedbugs. It has been proven that small living creatures will die within a short period of time, if unprotected in temperatures above 45°C. Therefore, if you heat up the environment to 45-55°C for a minimum of one hour, any target like bed bugs will not be able to survive. This also includes their eggs, meaning the problem is comprehensively ended.

Our heating devices heaters are designed to quickly and easily bring up any room temperature to eradicate bed bugs. They are also specifically manufactured for use in residential households and commercial hotels. The treatment is quiet and deadly, and does not use any chemicals.

For best results, we offer training and know how!