CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT HEAT TREATMENT AS A SAFE AND EFFICIENT METHOD OF PEST CONTROL

Abstract:
Environmental and health concerns have caused a radical change in the popular perception of chemical pest control methods. Governmental and environmental agencies seek to further limit the uses of chemicals in areas that have, till now, accepted them as routine treatments. As an example, the German Dangerous Substances Act requires that 'toxic gases may no longer be employed if a toxin free procedure is effective and reasonable.' Here in the UK, if we are to be realistic, we must also anticipate a general move in this direction. These concerns have led to the development of what are essentially two new processes, and a third which uses an amalgamation of the others. Designed to treat insect pests in objects these treatments are thermal with controlled humidity, inert gas 'fumigation' and the modified inert atmosphere method.