Introduction to Bed Bug Heat Treatments in Essex

by Marvel Pest Control Ltd

Bed bugs are persistent pests that can cause discomfort and stress in any home or business. Marvel Pest Control Ltd offers an innovative and effective solution: heat treatment. This method has been proven to be one of the most efficient and environmentally friendly ways to eliminate bed bugs.

What is Bed Bug Heat Treatment?

Bed bug heat treatment involves raising the temperature of the affected area to a level that is lethal to bed bugs, typically between 120°F and 140°F (49°C to 60°C). This process kills bed bugs at all stages of their life cycle, from eggs to adults, without the use of harmful chemicals.

Why Choose Heat Treatment?

1. Non-toxic: Unlike chemical treatments, heat treatment is completely safe for humans and pets, making it an ideal choice for families and businesses.

2. Effective: Heat penetrates deep into cracks, crevices, and other hiding spots, ensuring that bed bugs in all areas of the infested space are targeted.

3. No Chemicals: As it requires no pesticides, there’s no risk of chemical residues, which can be harmful or cause allergic reactions.

4. Quick and Efficient: Heat treatments can typically eradicate bed bugs in just one visit, whereas other methods may require multiple treatments.

5. Long-lasting: Heat treatment ensures that any bed bugs and their eggs are destroyed, leading to long-lasting relief.

Preparation Steps for Heat Treatment:

For the heat treatment to be most effective, proper preparation is crucial. Marvel Pest Control Ltd recommends the following steps:

1. Clear the Area: Remove all items that may be damaged by heat, including electronics, candles, plants, and items with batteries or plastics. This will ensure these items aren’t damaged during the treatment.

2. Launder Fabrics: Wash all bedding, clothes, and curtains in hot water. This helps to eliminate any bed bugs that may be on fabrics before the treatment.

3. Declutter the Space: Reducing clutter will allow the heat to penetrate better and ensure that no areas are left untreated. Ensure that areas where bed bugs may be hiding are easily accessible.

4. Vacuum the Area: Thoroughly vacuum the room to remove any bed bugs or eggs from floors, carpets, and furniture. This will help the heat treatment focus on the pests that remain hidden.

5. Remove Pets: Pets should be removed from the premises during the treatment process to ensure their safety.

6. Communicate with Your Technician: Marvel Pest Control Ltd professionals will guide you on any specific steps you need to take based on the size and layout of your home or business.

What to Expect During the Heat Treatment:

On the day of the treatment, the team from Marvel Pest Control Ltd will arrive with the necessary equipment, including heaters and fans. These devices will work together to raise the temperature in the room to a level that will eradicate bed bugs.

• The process typically takes 6 to 8 hours, depending on the size of the affected area.

• You may need to vacate the premises during the treatment.

• After treatment, your technician will confirm that the area has reached the required temperature and that all bed bugs have been eliminated.

Conclusion:

Marvel Pest Control Ltd's bed bug heat treatment is an efficient and safe solution for eradicating bed bugs. With proper preparation, you can ensure the success of the treatment and enjoy a pest-free environment. If you're dealing with a bed bug infestation, contact Marvel Pest Control Ltd today to schedule an assessment and take the first step toward a bed bug-free home or business.

Over the years, many insects have developed a very strong resistance to chemical insecticides, namely Bed Bugs.

This has lead Pest Control companies to treat with heat rather than insecticidal sprays. 

Insects, just like us, are made up of proteins. Even enzymes are proteins and the nature of that protein, and its DNA determines its place and function in the body.

When a cell is heated up to around 45°C or more, that DNA starts to break down and so the cell ceases to function as it should.

Laboratory studies found, you will see all sorts of claims for percentage kill rates of various species of insect for various times and temperatures. But to deliver full control, you need a target temperature of 45°C (113°F). for two-hours or 52°C for one-hour. This needs to be on the insect and not just in the room or environment being treated.

Rooms in the property are gradually super-heated to around 140℉ using either heat exchange diesel convection heaters(as seen in above picture) or 3-phase 415v 18kW electric heaters.. Hot air is then circulated around the effected rooms with powerful fans. This enables the heat to penetrate all the hard-to-reach places like cracks and crevices where the bugs like to harbour. Wireless sensors are placed in the most effected areas to ensure the heat penetrates fully. These are linked to our tablet/laptop so that we can monitor the treatment from outside and be certain all parts of the room have reached the required temperature for the required amount of time. 

We also use FLIR Thermal Imaging cameras that provide us with instant temperature readings and also highlights cold spots to be targeted.

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Bed Bugs are one of the hardest pests to get rid of:

​They can hide in the tiniest gaps, only coming out at night to feed when you are asleep as they are attracted to your breath. They have developed very strong resistance to chemical insecticides. Bed bug heat treatment kills by denaturing the proteins and enzymes essential for the insect to survive. Heat treatment is the best way to tackle a bed bug infestation because they have no way of building up resistance to heat, which kills the bugs in all their stages, including vitally, the eggs. Eradicating bed bugs and moths with heat treatment is also an eco-friendly approach. Rooms can be habitable again within a few hours following a treatment.

Heat treatments for bed bugs are completed and the property habitable again within a single day. The length of time (and price) of the heat treatment will depend on how many rooms there are to be treated and the size of the property. 

In the case of Bed Bugs, sometimes its better to treat the entire property rather than just the room as Bed Bugs are the greatest Hitchhickers. 

Please be aware, the rooms do get very hot and it is advisable that you vacate the property while the treatment is being carried out.

At Marvel Pest Control, we are so confident in our heat treatments that we are able to offer a 6month guarantee for residential customers. Subject to the preparation being carried out to a satisfactory standard (see below), and the advised number of rooms are treated, if live bed bugs or moths are found within the guarantee period, we will return and treat the property again Free of charge.

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Clothing:

Bed Bugs will often seek shelter within or under piles of clothing, power sockets, wall paper joins, skirting boards Clothes should either be hung up or spread out before the heat treatment commences. Wash bedding and washable items at high temperatures of 60 degrees followed with a high temperature dry cycle. Expensive woollen items such as Cashmere must be dry cleaned at the customers expense. These must be bagged and sealed on removal with the bag then disposed of and a clean bag used on return. After drying, remove and immediately place the clothing in a large bin liner then sealing it. Open all drawers and unpack any overlay packed areas. 

 

Our Preparation:

Thermal blankets/screens will be attached over interior doors/windows and stair wells to keep as much heat in the infected area as possible and to limit bed bug/moth harbouring and to improve the treatments effectiveness. These will be attached using staples/nails and will leave minimal damage to door and window frames. It is the customers responsibility to remove/dispose off and carry out any repairs following the treatment at the customers expense.

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Click on the link below to our preparation page.

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Heat Treatment Preparation Page

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

You will be required to sign a disclaimer to say, if any items are damaged during the course of our treatment,

Marvel Pest Control Ltd will not be held responsible so long as you follow our guidelines.

Furniture items will be moved and in most cases dismantled such as beds, chesterdrawers

 

Air flow is vital for us to carry out an Effective Heat Treatment for Bed Bugs, over-packed wardrobes, Chester Drawers, bedside tables, Office desks  and rooms may not be able to be treated properly! You will be made aware of this before our treatment commences.

 

During the course of the treatment, our technicians will keep you updated via text/photo/video messages on our progress and notify you 1 hour before treatment is complete so that we can show you around the previously infested areas and discuss future prevention.

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Please be aware: Following Our Heat Treatments, your home will be turned upside/down and a lot of work will still be required by you to get back to normality.

 

IMPORTANT:

Help Us, and We’ll Help You.

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