Pestmaster Services

Maintaining a pest free environment on a residential complex requires a contractor who understands all variables of pest management, so smooth and consistent operations continue uninterrupted.  Pestmaster Services will provide Integrated Pest Management (IPM) services at the apartments. Services begin with an intensive inspection process to uncover any current infestations; evidence of bedbugs will then prompt treatment as necessary.

Pestmaster Services has created a Bedbug MRI (Multiple Room Inspection) protocol to ensure eradication of bedbugs. “Piece of Mind” inspections are a required component of the Bedbug MRI Service and are designed to determine the presence or absence of bedbugs. Pestmaster Services will conduct “Piece of Mind” inspections in each room a minimum of twice per annum.  If an infestation is uncovered by your staff or through a Pestmaster Services inspection, it will immediately trigger the Bedbug MRI critical control component. Rooms to the immediate left, immediate right, above, and or below the suspected infestation must be inspected to determine the presence or absence of bedbugs. 

Technician & K-9 Team Inspection

Mr. Sullivan and his certified bedbug detection K-9 will verify evidence of a bedbug infestation through a detailed inspection. Mr. Sullivan will then estimate the magnitude of the infestation by examining all potential harborages.  

Canine Scent Detection

Canine scent detection has become an increasingly popular inspection method for the detection of low level infestations. A well run canine scent program can yield highly effective results and will often reveal infestations that would have been missed during a visual inspection.  K-9’s have been shown to be over 90% accurate and can detect bedbug activity that is not visible to the naked eye.  With the K-9’s keen sense of smell, bedbug activity inside walls, baseboards and even under carpets can be detected. Through a double verification system (K-9 and visual), we are able to confirm evidence of infestation before treatment.   

Tools for inspection include but are not limited to:

Flashlights

Small microscopes

Set of screw drivers

Small 10X hand lens

Magnifying glass

Small blade

Mirror

Set of combination tools, pliers, etc. 

Vial with alcohol and small brush for sample collection

Rooms to be inspected include the suspect room as well as all adjacent (horizontally and vertically) rooms to the suspect area.

Signs that the Pestmaster Services technician will look for to identify a bedbug infestation include but are not limited to:

Live bugs

Eggs and egg shells

Molted skin

Reddish spots and stains

Bite marks on skin

Inspection note: Any evidence triggers service, e.g.: eggs, nymphs, adults, castes, dead bugs, ink spots, etc.

Preparation / Pre-treatment

Prior to treatment there are many important steps and considerations.  Use caution when removing items for disposal or laundering to avoid transporting bedbugs to another location.  The following steps are to be taken prior to treatment (speak with your Pestmaster Services technician about pre-treat services that may be available):

Remove all clothing and bedding from affected rooms and place in plastic bags.  Wash items in hot water and dry in drier on high heat.  Transport all laundry in tightly sealed bag and do not reuse bag;  

Remove everything from dresser drawers, nightstands, tables and place them plastic bags;

Remove drapes and have them washed, dry cleaned or replaced;

Discard all “clutter” and other unnecessary items from infested rooms;

Vacuum all carpeted areas and closets including baseboards and furniture;

Vacuum mattresses and box springs paying close attention to the seams and button areas;

Thoroughly inspect and pull apart items in infested areas such as chest drawers and night stands.  Make sure to remove all drawers from the furniture, remove picture frames, headboards, curtains, mini blinds, lights, televisions, and open filing cabinets (check for cracks and crevices in all of these items).  Use a vacuum cleaner with a crack and crevice tool in all the areas to pick up any bedbugs that might be hiding here.  Place vacuum bags in sealed plastic bags and discard;

Pull all items away from the walls to provide access to all of the interior parameters of the infested rooms;

Discard any ripped or torn materials or heavily infested items;

Dismantle bed frames and other furniture;

Remove the cheesecloth from the bottom of the box spring for proper inspection and treatment; 

Do not remove items that could potentially be infested because these can be brought back into the treated areas after the treatment and re-infest.

Treatment 

Pestmaster Services uses the Eco Freeze™ system. Eco Freeze™ is free of pesticides, chemicals and toxins.  It is safe to use anywhere, anytime and approved for use on surfaces that come into contact with food.   Because Eco Freeze™ is chemical free there is no concern for resistance build-up. Residents can return to their rooms immediately after treatment.  

Post Treatment

There is no need to stay out of the treated areas after treatment with  Eco Freeze™;

Re-vacuum all areas again the following day after treatment.  Place vacuum bags in sealed plastic bags and discard;

When using zippered bags, put mattress back on frame and leave in bag for at least 30 days.  Place fresh washed linens over the bags;

Maintain clutter free environment prior to and following treatment;

Do not touch or remove any monitoring devices;

Inspect for pest activity before removing bagged items;

“Follow up” insecticide treatments should not be made by the resident;

Keep all equipment such as dollies, room carts, vacuum cleaners, service tray tables, in the same floor.  This will avoid cross contamination or further spread of infestation to other floors.

Follow up 

It is important to understand that the initial treatment is followed up by two or more follow up inspections/treatments two weeks apart.  Follow up inspections/treatments are necessary to ensure the elimination of the bedbug infestation.

A multifaceted IPM (integrated pest management) approach to exterminate the infestation is necessary when considering the variety of bedbug harborages and varying susceptibility of bedbug life stages to the different control/treatment measures available.  A successful bedbug control program requires the participation of the pest control provider, employees and residents.