by logins@righthook.co.ukWhat Is Heat Treatment For Pest Control?
Removing insect pests can be challenging, and there are many different techniques and approaches to try, depending on the species, infestation size and the type of infested space.
One relatively new solution is heat treatment. This chemical-free approach to pest control uses hot air instead of insecticides to remove insects at all life cycle stages. As a newer treatment option, it is not used by all pest controllers, but when used correctly heat treatment can be effective and remove the infestation in just a single day.
As leading providers of heat treatment pest control across Swindon and the surrounding area, Mission Pest Control has the skills and knowledge needed to explain how the treatment works and why it can kill insects and remove pest infestations more effectively than other methods. Keep reading to find out more.
How Does Heat Treatment Work?
Heat treatment for pest control involves creating a sealed space around the infested area, whether it is a room or a specific piece of furniture.
Specialised equipment is then used to heat the air inside the sealed space to a temperatures high enough to be lethal to pests, usually 50°C to 60°C (122°F to 140°F).
Once the heat reaches the required temperature, the insects will be killed while the surrounding building and furniture will remain unharmed.
What Are The Benefits Of Heat Treatment For Pest Control?
Heat treatment has many benefits over traditional pest control methods, such as using insecticides and other chemicals to kill insects. Some of the main benefits of heat treatment include:
- Effective: Heat treatment can be ideal for getting rid of a wide range of insect pests and ensuring that your space is completely pest-free.
- Fast: For most insect infestations, using this method can ensure that the pests are eradicated during the first treatment.
- Reduced Hassle: With heat treatments, there is less preparation required and the building can be reused quickly, reducing disruption to your home life or business activities.
- Eco-Friendly: Heat treatments work without chemicals, meaning they have a less significant impact on the environment than other pest control methods.
- Cost-Effective: While heat treatment for pest control is slightly more expensive than other methods, the many benefits listed here make it a great value solution.
What Pests Can You Treat Using Heat Treatment?
Heat treatment can be effective against many different insect pests, ranging from invasive non-native species to stored product insects. These are some of the most common pests that can be removed using heat treatments.
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are tiny pests that can be challenging to get rid of because of their small size. They eat blood meal, meaning they can cause health concerns. Also, bed bugs can lie dormant for up to a year without food, meaning even if you think the infestation is gone, it might not be over. So, if you have bed bugs, then you need a bed bug heat treatment to remove them and get rid of their eggs and larvae.
Cockroaches
For businesses that serve food and homes with large kitchens, cockroaches can be a dangerous pest that damages your reputation and contaminates food. Although cockroaches thrive in tropical environments globally, when high temperatures are used in a targeted way with the proper equipment, you can remove the roaches quickly and efficiently.
Fleas
Similar in size to bed bugs, fleas can be found in homes with or without pets, although they are commonly passed along through contact with animals. Their small size and ability to lie dormant means that like bed bugs, fleas can be difficult to fully remove and are prone to returning. With heat treatment, you can ensure that the fleas are completely gone and keep your family or business safe from these biting insects.
Moths
While many species are harmless, some moths can be incredibly destructive. The most common pest moths found in the UK are the common clothes moth, the case-bearing clothes moth and the Indian meal moth. All types of clothes moths and carpet moths are textile pests, while Indian meal moths are also known as pantry moths and are a type of stored product insects. Whatever species you’re dealing with, the heat treatment process can eliminate them and ensure that they can’t come back.
Carpet Beetles
Another incredibly destructive textile pest, carpet beetles are small but destructive, and will eat a range of natural fibres. While they are commonly found inside carpets, they can also eat curtains, soft furniture and other household fabrics. Heat treatment can ensure that we eliminate all the carpet beetles, even if they’re hiding deep inside fabrics or furnishings.
Woodworm
Woodworm can be dangerous in homes or business premises, as they can eat through beams, walls and other parts of your property to cause structural damage. They can also damage furniture and lead to expensive repairs or replacements. By using heat treatment, you can eliminate woodworm without having to use harmful chemicals or having to take apart furniture. This non-invasive solution will kill the woodworm and their eggs inside the wood and stop them from causing damage.
What Preparation Is Needed Before A Heat Treatment?
Before any heat treatment is carried out, your pest control provider will be in touch to discuss the preparation required.
At Mission Pest Control, our aim is to give a quality service, so our technicians will provide you with a complete list of everything that you need to do before and after the treatment.
Usually, we will request that you fully vacate the property during the treatment and for some time afterwards. The exact amount of time will be discussed with you prior to your appointment.
All pets and children should be removed. For pets that cannot be taken away, such as fish in tanks, we will request that these are covered and kept out of the treatment area where possible.
Other ways to prepare for your heat treatment include:
- Unplug all electronics where possible
- Clear away any clutter and dispose of any rubbish
- Clean the property and hoover before the treatment
- Open all draws and cupboard doors where insects might be hiding
- Close all external doors and windows
- Remove any items that might be sensitive to high temperatures, such as houseplants or fresh food
- Keep all infested items, such as clothes or soft furniture, in plain sight so they will be treated
- Follow any additional instructions from your pest control provider
The Importance Of Finding The Right Provider Of Heat Treatment For Pest Control
Heat treatment can be an effective alternative to traditional pest control methods, but only when carried out by experienced pest control professionals.
That’s because it requires the right heat treatment equipment and training to ensure that the treatment is carried out at the correct temperature and that all the insects at all life stages have been eliminated.
At Mission Pest Control, we have worked for many years on domestic and commercial pest control throughout Swindon and beyond, meaning our team have the expertise needed to carry out insect pest control to the highest possible standards.
By investing in state-of-the-art heat treatment equipment and training for our staff, we’re able to exterminate bed bugs, fleas, stored product insects and other bugs quickly and effectively.
Alongside our heat treatment pest control for insects, we can also remove other pests, including rodents, birds and wildlife.
As such, we’re the ideal partner for business leaders and homeowners across Swindon who need help getting rid of vermin. Contact us on 01793 379333 or by emailing hello@missionpestcontrol.co.uk to book your site visit today and start your journey towards a pest-free space.