Heat treatment is a procedure with many uses and one primary mechanism: the gradual rise in temperature. Whether applied to a surface or an entire premise, the process is commonly used in the modern pest control industry, including professional bed bug eradication services in the UK. Its growing popularity has led many to reconsider traditional methods for dealing with household pests.
Before calling a pest control agency, it’s essential to understand the details of heat treatment and the steps involved to effectively eliminate unwanted guests in your home.
The Science Behind Heat Treatment
Heat treatment involves the use of heat for a specific purpose. Although this article focuses on its application in pest control, it is also used in medical therapies and for material modification in fields like architecture and metallurgy. While these have little to do with the bed bugs you may be dealing with, they illustrate the versatility and power of heat, which we can harness as a solution for pest problems.
Before explaining why so many experts recommend heat treatment over other pest control methods, let’s take a closer look at how it works.
How Heat Treatment Works
Modern pest control companies use various devices to kill pests through heat treatment technology. However, the approach is consistent and follows essential steps. For example, an inspection is necessary before starting treatment to identify the affected areas, the severity of the infestation, and any delicate items that need protection or removal. During the procedure, specialists rely on the scientifically proven fact that insects cannot survive
in extreme heat. Unlike chemical treatments, which target specific areas, heat affects the entire premises, ensuring there is no place for pests to hide.
Technicians also conduct a monitoring phase to ensure the treatment’s effectiveness (typically 90%) and provide preventive tips for the future.
Optimal Temperatures and Duration
Traditionally, heat treatment requires a gradual increase in the temperature. There’s always a maximum limit according to the purpose and the sphere. Concretely, pest control service experts have learnt that 50 C is usually enough for the room temperature to be deadly for the majority of insects.
Of course, an individual approach makes the heat treatment pest control service more reliable and optimal, which is why in the case of some concrete species, room size or the rate of infestation or correlation with the time exposure, this temperature can vary up to 60 C. It is, on the one hand, enough to kill the pests at all life stages and, on the other hand, to cause no harm to the surrounding area, the executors, and the expected to arrive in a couple of hours, homeowners. Speaking of time exposure, though, while different pests die in comparatively the same high temperature, it takes various periods of the individual species to reach a lethal end. Commonly, 60 minutes is a too long time for any bed bug, ant, etc., to survive. However, to guarantee the death of all insects in the room, pest control technicians extend the exposure time to nearly 3-4 hours. This period of highly increased temperature is also catastrophic enough for the insect’s normal living conditions.
Applications of Heat Treatment
One of the main benefits of heat treatment is its universal application. This is advantageous for both home owners, who don’t need to study different pest eradication methods, and the pest control industry, as this standardized eco-friendly method improves service reliability, affordability, and accessibility for both individuals and businesses.
Common Pests Targeted by Heat Treatment
If you’re wondering whether heat treatment suits your pest control needs, rest assured that it can handle virtually any infestation. It has shown excellent results against the following pests:
Bed bugs
Ants
Termites
Cockroaches
Carpet beetles
Dust mites
Fleas
All of these pests, including their eggs and larvae, die from dehydration at the final heat treatment temperature of 50-60°C.
Suitable Environments for Heat Treatment
Because of its high level of sustainability and eco-friendly set of approaches, heat treatment can be applied literally to any building type. Commonly performed in residential and business areas, as well as in all kinds of homes – flats, apartments, attics, and so on – the process cannot harm the interior elements when performed according to the certified industry standards.
The lack of chemicals or pesticides involved in the process makes heat treatment an ideal solution even for places with sensitive inhabitants and visitors, including hospitals, kindergartens, schools, SPA centres, sanatoriums, and you name it. Managers and owners of tourist spots, as well as restaurants, bars and cafes, appreciate this pest control service mainly as it can save their businesses in the quickest possible way and in accordance with the modern eco-friendly prescription for a sustainable economy.
Benefits of Heat Treatment
There are many reasons to choose heat treatment over standard chemical pest control solutions. If you’re still unsure, let’s explore why this procedure is so beneficial.
High Efficiency
Heat treatment eliminates all types of pests at all life stages while also restoring a high level of hygiene.
Eco-Friendly Approach
Unlike chemical pesticides, which vary for different pests, heat treatment uses a consistent approach to eradicate all insects. The most significant difference between heat treatment and chemical methods is safety: pesticides are hazardous to human health and can cause allergic reactions, skin irritation, digestive issues, and respiratory problems. Heat treatment, on the other hand, has no harmful impact on the environment or human health.
Comprehensive Coverage
At 50-60°C, no insect can survive, and there’s no place for them to hide. The short process duration also allows for quick extermination, ensuring maximum efficiency.
Safety Measures and Precautions
Although heat treatment is an eco-friendly procedure without harmful chemicals, it involves high temperatures and specialized equipment. Therefore, it should only be performed by trained professionals to avoid accidents and ensure the best results.
Professional Equipment and Monitoring
Heat treatment can involve various types of equipment, such as electric heaters, indirect burners, or hydronic heating systems. Each device requires specific expertise, and improper use can cause damage to the equipment or the surrounding area. Professionals are also trained to conduct the monitoring phase, which ensures the treatment is complete. Afterward, they provide advice on how to prevent future infestations.
Preparing Your Home for Heat Treatment
The final stage of heat treatment is monitoring, but preparation starts with a consultation. During the initial inspection, technicians gather information about the infestation and provide instructions for preparing your home.
Fortunately, you won’t have to do much. Technicians will identify items that are sensitive to heat, such as furniture and decor, which should be removed or protected. Pets and plants should also be removed, and you must vacate the premises until the treatment is complete.
Conclusion
Heat treatment stands out as one of the best pest control methods available today. Understanding how it works and why it’s so beneficial allows you to make an informed choice for your home or business. With heat treatment, getting rid of bed bugs, dust mites, and other household pests is easy, efficient, and safe.
