Termite and Pest Control This proposal was specifically prepared for: Thermal Remediation is the cutting edge in Bed Bug treatment technology. When properly implemented, this treatment kills all stages of the insect in a single treatment. Contained in this packet is information regarding Bed Bugs, Bed Bug control, and company procedures and policy. Thermal Remediation by Tri-County Termite and Pest Control, Inc. A company Proud Member Tri-County Termire and Pest Control, Inc. 189 Delaware Ave Carneys Point, NJ 08069 Toll Free (800) 670 8077 Phone (856) 299 6531 Delaware (302) 323 9797 www.tricountypestco.com
Bed bug Information Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) are small parasitic insects that feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals. These insects were largely eradicated as a pest in the US during the 1940s, but experienced a massive resurgence within the past decade. Physical Characteristics. Adult Bed bugs are reddish-brown, flat, oval, and wingless. Nymphs (young) are translucent, and become darker brown as they moult and reach maturity. Feeding Habits. Bed bugs feed exclusively on blood and are attracted to their hosts by carbon dioxide, heat, and certain chemicals. They feed by piercing the skin with hollow feeding tubes. One tube injects saliva containing anticoagulants and anesthetics, and the other withdraws blood. Life Cycle. Bed bugs have 6 life stages -5 immature stages and an adult stage. At each stage, they require a blood meal to progress to the next stage. A female bedbug can lay up to 500 eggs in a lifetime. Infestation Bed bugs can infest a structure in a number of ways. Often, the bugs or eggs hitchhike on clothing or in luggage. They might also come from infested items, such as used furniture or clothing. Also, they can migrate over from a nearby dwelling or infested item if there is an accessible route. Finally, wild animals, like bats or birds, or pets can bring the insects into a structure. What Now? Most people who suspect they have a bed bug issue are extremely embarrassed because they mistakenly assume the infestation is an indicator that they or their homes are somehow dirty. However, bed bugs come from many sources. These parasites will make themselves at home anywhere, clean or dirty, if they can readily feed on blood. Always remember that no matter how humiliating you think your infestation is, it is not worth risking your family s health and safety on ineffective and dangerous home remedies. If you think that your home may be infested with bed bugs, consider the following: These little pests can survive in temperatures ranging from zero to 113 degrees Fahrenheit and live for weeks without feeding. Additionally, do not let the bed bug name fool you, as these insects hide in carpets, storage boxes, clothing, spaces between floorboards and other nooks and crannies that no one but a trained exterminator might think to look for them. Bed bugs are among the most difficult insects to eliminate from a structure. They are highly resistant to pesticides and it only takes a few survivors to repopulate an area. When it comes to bed bugs, it is of the utmost importance that you only entrust your home or business to someone with the highest credentials and experience. Termite and Pest Control
Bed bug Inspection Fecal Spots The first step in any effective bed bug control strategy is inspection. Before any treatment, we will thoroughly inspect all areas of the structure to determine the level and location of any infestation. Tri-County's technicians are fully trained and very experienced at detecting bed bugs. However, there are some thing that you can look for on your own as a sign that there might be a bed bug problem: Live evidence. Stand the mattress and box spring up. Carefully inspect both, looking in every seam for live insects and eggs. Shine a light through the fabric under the box spring to look for bugs, you may have to remove it to get a better look. Carefully inspect the head board and bead frame as well as anything under or near the bed. Bed bugs will hide in anything, but they like to be in close proximity to their host(s). Stains. Bed bugs leave a number of stains and markings that can be a dead giveaway for an infestation. It is common to find blood stains from bugs that were squished after feeding. These can be as small as a pin prick, so look closely! Also, bed bugs will leave fecal spots after feeding. These spots are dark brown or black dots, and are usually found in areas where bed bugs hide. These spots will not come off if rubbed, and will smear if wiped with a wet rag. Blood Stains Cast Skin Castings. Since bed bugs go through a number of different developmental stages, they must cast off their old skin after each phase of life. These cast skins basically look like an empty shell of the bug themselves. However, be careful the cast skins of other insects, such as carpet beetles, can easily be confused for those of a bed bug. Termite and Pest Control
With the resurgence of bed bugs worldwide, we have implemented a strategy with which we can achieve complete control in a single treatment. Our Thermal Remediation equipment and processes are the cutting edge of treatment options. While bed bugs can survive an extreme range of temperatures, we can achieve 100% mortality by exposing the insects to high temperatures for a period of time. Research proves that all stages of bed bugs die at 120 after a few minutes. There are a number of distinct advantages of Thermal Remediation over conventional methods. Heat treatment requires very little preparation for you, the customer. There is no need to remove all items from drawers or rearrange furniture as there would be with the traditional treatment. There are three main keys to success in our process of Thermal Remediation. First, we rapidly heat all areas to temperatures between 120-135. Then, we place specially designed sensors throughout, especially around the areas of greatest concern (beds, couches, etc.). Lastly, to ensure that the heat penetrates all the areas where bed bugs hide, we strategically position fans to move the hot air into these areas. Heat treatments are environmentally friendly. There is very little or no chemical used with Thermal Remediation heat is our insecticide! This means that this method is safe for sensitive areas like hospitals, dorm rooms, or day cares With this method, we can eliminate all bed bugs in a single treatment. Compare this to the months of follow ups and retreatments often required with conventional methods. You ll be sleeping tight again the very same night! Termite and Pest Control
Termite and Pest Control Preparation Checklist Clutter impedes the effectiveness of Thermal Remediation so remove all clutter from closets, drawers and all around the house or apartment. Remove pets birds fish, cats, snakes, etc... Remove all house plants, put outside if temperature permits. Remove all waxes crayons, candles, etc... Remove all alcohol wine, beer, etc... (or place in Refrigerator). Place medicine in the fridge and take what you need with you. Remove all firearms and ammo, gun powder, fireworks, etc... Take down all plastic blinds the heat will make them droop. Remove all makeup, nail polish, etc... Remove all items that contain alcohol rubbing alcohol, nail polish remover, etc... Remove all batteries, both from equipment and spares. Remove all aerosol products paint, hair spray, deodorizers, etc... Remove all money and valuables. Remove all oils, they may expand and leak. Remove all compressed gasses!!! Remove all flammables matches, lighters, etc... Unplug all electronics TV, computers, etc... REMOVE ALL PLASMA TV'S!! The crew will be going into all the drawers and closets. If there is anything you don't want the crew to find, please remove it! Any pictures will be taken down off the walls. The pictures will not be hung back up because temperatures will still be too hot and we don't want frames to warp. Please let the crew know about any oil paintings you have! The cover under all furniture and box springs will be removed for better heat penetration. Please make sure that clothing hanging in closets are not packed too tightly. Remove all cassette tapes, video tapes, records, photo albums, and negatives. All items removed can be placed in a NO HEAT box by the door, we will inspect and deal with the items inside. By signing below, I agree that I will complete the above tasks before the scheduled time of treatment. I also acknowledge that I have read and agree to Paragraph 17 of the Thermal Remediation Service Contract for the Treatment of Bed Bugs. Signed: Date:
Termite and Pest Control Important Notes Please do not do anything extra that is not on the preparation list without asking about it first. Although it may seem necessary to put belongings in boxes or bags, things like this will actually make the job longer and more difficult. During the course of treatment, we will be required to move furniture, clothing, and most other belongings. Keep in mind that it is still very hot in the structure when we are finished, even after we have opened windows. Therefore, while we will do our best to straighten up, we may not be able to leave the area looking exactly as we left it. If you have anything valuable or breakable, please make us aware of it. We are very careful not to damage any belongings, and it is helpful if we can be conscious of items of particular concern. Because of safety concerns, you will not be allowed to enter the structure once our equipment is inside. After the job is finished, you must wait until our equipment has been removed and we have determined that temperatures have dropped enough for re-entry. The treatment typically takes about 6 8 hours for a 1200 ft² structure. However, certain structures can take longer to heat than others for a variety of reasons. If we run into issues, or the structure is much larger than 1200 ft², it is possible that the treatment will last into the night or the next day. Certain studies have shown a small number of Bed Bugs may survive the initial heat treatment. However, these bugs are rendered sterile and unable to feed. Therefore, if you do find live specimen immediately following your treatment, this does not necessarily mean that the treatment was a failure.