BITING INSECTS

Biting Insect Control.

The Client will be requested to vacuum floors and remove pets prior to a Technicians arrival should a positive flea infestation be made during the initial point of contact.

Flea control consists of a Technician applying a specific water based residual insecticide containing a growth hormone inhibitor. All carpets and flooring are sprayed.

The spray is odourless and non staining. The client will be instructed what to do regarding pet treatments and treating pet bedding and soft furnishings.

Bed Bug control is a lot more involved and requires more than one treatment.

Unfortunately for the client, the only way to eradicate this pest is through a lot of work. Full instructions will be given by a Technician but to summarise:

• all beds to be stripped and bedding and soft furnishings (covers, curtains) must be laundered at highest temp allowable,
• all drawers, bedside cabinets, wardrobes etc are emptied, clothes laundered at highest temp allowable,
• all floors cleared, i.e. under beds etc,
• all floors, mattresses and sofas to be vacuumed.

Mattresses do not need to be thrown away!

A Technician will methodically carry out a treatment, - a residual water based insecticide is applied to bed frames, head boards, furniture (including sofa frames), floors, wall/floor junctions and any other areas deemed safe for insecticidal spray use. Insecticidal or non toxic Silicon powder is used to treat behind wall switches and sockets and other areas where a water based spray is not practical.

A Risk Assessment is completed prior to treatment and the client instructed on the duration of time before they can safely return to their premises (generally 4 - 6 hours after completion of treatment). Pets and young children will require a longer time of exclusion from treated areas.

 

Bed Bugs

Description:

Bed bug adults are reddish-brown, oval, flattened insects from 4 to 5 mm long and 1.5 to 3 mm wide before feeding. Engorged adults tend to be swollen and dull red. The eggs are white, oval, about 1 mm long and covered in a sticky film which allows them to adhere to surfaces. A newly hatched nymph is almost colourless whereas engorged nymphs are reddish and swollen.

The main signs of an infestation are :

• dark reddish brown spots on bedding and mattresses,
• obvious bites on the body, particularly around the stomach and back,
• live bed bugs, especially behind bed head boards, seams of mattresses and between bed frames,
• heavy infestations will cause an aroma like sweet almonds.

Biology:

Although humans are the preferred host, bed bugs feed on many warm-blooded animals. Bed bugs usually hide in cracks or mattresses during the day and emerge at night to feed. They inject saliva as they feed and allergic reaction to this substance often causes slightly delayed swelling, itching and burning. Under favourable conditions, each female lays 200 to 500 eggs and at temperatures above 21°C these hatch in 6 to 17 days. Adults often survive up to 2 months without food, but under certain circumstances can live a year or more without feeding.

Bed bugs do not spread diseases but long term persistent biting may cause tiredness and worse case, anaemia.

Control:

Should you suspect a bed bug infestation call for advise. Treatment of bed bugs is an involved procedure.

A Technician will make an initial visit to carry out a site survey.

 

Cat & Dog Flea

Description:

Adult fleas are 2-3 mm in length and generally of a shiny brown appearance. They have a thin, laterally flattened body and large hind legs which allow them to jump onto passing hosts.

Biology:

Flea eggs are about 0.5mm long, oval, pearly-white in colour and laid indiscriminately in the fur or feathers of the host or in its nest or bedding. Four to eight eggs are laid after each blood meal and a single female may produce 800 - 1000 eggs during her lifetime, which may be as long as two years. The larvae thrive in dark, humid places such as animal bedding and carpet fluff, and feed on organic debris and adult flea excrement. Cats' bedding may support a flea population of 8000 immature and 2000 adult forms.

Control:

Where very high populations of fleas are present, a single application of insecticide may not be sufficient, as even a 99% kill rate can still leave sufficient survivors to form the basis of a new infestation. In such cases, additional treatments will need to be carried out until the infestation is eradicated. All floors and upholstered furniture should be vacuumed to remove animal hairs, organic debris, flea eggs and pupae. Dispose of vacuum bag in an outside bin. Any cats and dogs should be treated for fleas with an insecticide recommended for this purpose and pet bedding should be destroyed or washed.