FEATURE Don’t let the bed bugs bite
Here, OSPREYDEEPCLEAN explain how to use Steamers to control and effectively remove bed bugs.
• For carpets, the floor nozzle will also work but the operator will have to move the nozzle slower to obtain the right temperatures and to increase the steam volume.
• Surfaces must reach a temperature range of 60-70°C (160-180°F), as below this bed bugs may survive.
• An infrared thermometer should be used to measure surface temperatures after the wand has passed over the area being steamed. If the temperature is too low, move the wand slower (although this may increase the risk of damage to the fabric and other materials). If the temperature is too high, move the wand faster.
Dry Steam is a highly effective method for killing bed bugs in all stages of their development, if applied correctly. When using steam as a treatment, the quality and boiler temperature of the steamer is very important.
As guidance, a commercial steamer with a minimum boiler temperature of 150°C and 6 bar pressure or higher should be selected – with a manual or digital steam volume control. It should be noted, however, that in this type of application it's the boiler temperature that’s more important than the pressure.
The smaller type of steamer, normally used to steam clothing, or steamers with a boiler temperature below 150°C, will not be effective for bed bug treatment. Also, don’t use a carpet cleaning machine, as this will have virtually no effect as carpet cleaning machines don’t reach high enough temperatures to kill bed bugs.
The OSPREYDEEPCLEAN Steam & Vac Pro is the ideal machine for this application. Dry Steam Machines work by delivering lethal temperatures to where bed bugs may be hiding. Steam is very effective when bed bugs are on the surface of items such as carpets or mattresses, and can be effective up to 3-4" into fabric surfaces.
In cracks and crevices, steam will kill bed bugs up to 3-8” into a gap. Use an infrared thermometer to monitor the surface temperature of the area being treated. To effectively kill bed bugs, the surface temperature should be at least 60-70°C (160-180°F) immediately after the steam tool has passed.
Following the manufacturer’s directions for using the dry steamer with the additional precautions below will help you generate steam safely, whilst obtaining maximum control of bed bugs.
Here are some additional tips to follow:
• Select a Dry Steam & Vacuum machine with water filtration to capture the ‘waste’.
• Attach a nozzle, or on flat surfaces a carpet upholstery tool, to the steam wand.
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• Fabric may be very slightly damp afterwards, but will quickly dry.
• Use the steamer on all surfaces where you see bed bugs and areas where you think bed bugs may be hiding.
• You may have to repeat this procedure a couple of times, as this method only provides control of bed bugs that are exposed to the heat – any that don’t come into contact with the steam will survive.
• Select the correct steam volume subject to the accessory chosen – this should be set at low to medium level. Don’t select full volume, as this would only blast the bed bug away and not kill them.
• Once completed, switch on the vacuum at full level and use the steam and vacuum setting to slowly move over the same area again to collect all the ‘waste’.
• Once the operator has completed one area or room, safely drain the waste container and fill the waste tank with fresh water, which basically is the new filter medium with HEPA filtration- like efficacy.
• For a ‘Belt and Braces’ approach, there is the option to spray the surfaces with an approved insecticide for residual efficacy.
For more information and guidance in choosing the correct machine, call OSPREYDEEPCLEAN on 01242 513123 or email
sales@ospreydc.com.
www.ospreydc.com
twitter.com/TomoCleaning
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