[Focus on IPM] Steam-powered Pest Control

To get rid of lipstick on bar glasses, an Italian bartender tried hitting the glasses with superheated steam from his cappuccino machine. Much to his pleasure, the extreme heat and force of the steam made the lipstick disappear (and sanitized the glasses at the same time). Concluding that there was virtually nothing the steam couldn’t clean or kill, he devised a small, portable steam generator for residential cleaning. Successful application of his idea led to expanded usage and the development of larger units.

Today, these units, made in Italy, are finding new applications all across North America by pest control and sanitation specialists, in commercial, residential and industrial sites. One company offering dry steam cleaning and sanitizing systems suitable for use by PCOs is AmeriVap Systems of Atlanta, which recently presented its line of Steamax and Vapor Blitz products to the industry.

HOW IT WORKS. Using 110-volt electric power, these systems heat tap water in a pressurized tank to create steam. When the steam pressure reaches approximately 65 psi and the temperature reaches about 290° F, the moisture content of the steam drops down to about 5 percent, making it nearly “dry.”
When steam is required to clean or sanitize an object or surface, an electrically controlled solenoid valve releases the steam into a pressure line inside an insulated hose. When the operator pulls the trigger at the free end of the hose, the steam flows through a variety of nozzles, brushes and other accessories designed to direct the steam at the surface or object to be cleaned and sanitized.

The smaller dry steam units recommended for PCOs hold two quarts of water and will generate steam for about two hours before needing a refill. A signal light comes on when more water is required.

SAFE TO OPERATE. According to Werner Diercks, president of AmeriVap, the system is safe to operate. While the steam temperature at the nozzle or tip is approximately 220° F, the tip dissipates the temperature and pressure so that, 6 inches from the tip, the steam feels cool to the touch. The pressurized tank is fitted with a preset thermostat and relief valve to prevent excessive temperature and pressure buildup.

The steam is safe to use on any surface or material that can withstand temperatures up to 220° F, and, because the steam only contains 5 percent moisture, the surface or material dries within seconds. No specific training is required. The systems are supplied with complete operating instructions and a toll-free technical support line is available to answer operation and application questions.

BED BUG EPIDEMIC. Bed bugs are a growing problem at hotels and motels in convention and hospitality centers like Las Vegas and New York City. They also are a concern to apartment managers and institutions with group housing facilities. International travel and immigration from countries where bed bugs are prevalent have been cited for the increasing number of bed bug calls PCOs have seen, along with greater bed bug awareness by the public. (Source: PCT, State of the Industry, October 2004)

The last time bed bugs were a problem, 50 years ago, PCOs had pesticides like DDT to control them. Today, however, concerns about the environmental impact of pesticides, particularly in such close proximity to humans, have taken away many of these tools. While a large number of pesticides and other products continue to be introduced to combat bed bugs, pest control operators and manufacturers also are investigating other technologies like dry steam to deal with this problem.

A TOOL, NOT A MAGIC WAND.  Bed bugs can be hard to find and they don’t come marching in to be slaughtered. The bugs and their eggs live, not only in mattresses, but also in the tiniest nooks and crannies between carpets and baseboards, in upholstery seams and other difficult-to-reach recesses — and they travel a lot. So PCOs have to know where to look and then go after them.

Dry steam is a suitable tool for this process, said Diercks, because it can penetrate into otherwise inaccessible cracks and instantly raise the temperature well above what the bed bugs can survive without damaging the surface or material. And, because there are no chemical components, steam can safely be applied to mattresses, upholstered furniture, personal items and other surfaces where direct human contact is likely without toxic concerns or potential allergic reactions.

But, it definitely requires time, ingenuity and creativity to use this technology for bed bugs, and the PCO must be willing to charge accordingly and be able to collect for the service. Also, it may not be a one-time fix and callbacks are a distinct possibility, especially where transient occupants can bring along new infestations.

BOILING BED BUGS. Barry Miller, national sales manager for Hi Tech Cleaning Systems, Columbus, Ohio, said his steam equipment has long been used by PCOs to handle drain and fruit fly infestations in commercial kitchens. But recently, he has seen an increase in applications for bed bugs.

“The last couple years, we’ve marketed to PCOs the influx of bed bugs in this country,” he said.

His company’s equipment, which looks like a standard hose vacuum, has a four-liter tank and sends a spray of steam and boiling water — averaging 250° F — that he said also works well for dust mites, ticks, fleas and gnats. The high-temperature water also is hot enough to sanitize, and can be used in hospitals and other medical facilities.

“It’s like throwing a bucket of boiling water on there,” Miller said.

Miller said his equipment is used by the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., where the head of pest control uses the steam machines to flush roaches out of exhibits where harborage can’t be eliminated. The steamers also are the choice of University of Kentucky researchers for their on-going work in Cincinnati.

He said his steamers have a pressure control regulator that works gradually — not just high, medium, low settings — that gives the researchers more control. “They said if too much steam is coming, it chases bed bugs away; it could blow them away,” Miller said, and the next lowest setting “might not be enough.”

A DUAL PURPOSE TOOL. Even if the PCO is not sure about getting into the bed bug business, dry steam is a versatile tool for dealing with drain flies in commercial foodservice areas. Here again, because there are no pesticides involved, there are no chemical contamination problems. The steam will both kill the flies and dissolve the organic media in which they breed.

In addition to drain flies, dry steam will destroy and remove Listeria, other bacteria, spores and viruses from work surfaces and equipment where organic material and moisture accumulate.

Use of dry steam replaces both the cleaning with water and detergents and the use of chemical disinfectants. AmeriVap claims a proven kill ratio of 99.9 percent and cites use by prominent hospitals, pharmaceutical companies and labs, in addition to industrial, commercial and residential establishments.

A COMPLEMENT TO OTHER SERVICES.  Among the PCOs already using steam is Frank Meek, Orkin technical director. He said he agrees that steam is a very viable pest control program for a lot of things, from bed bugs to fly control and sanitation, and reports that steam complements other pest control services offered by Orkin operations across North America.

Meek said he likes steam for bed bug control, because it offers a true IPM approach to the problem. “We don’t want to apply any type of residual pesticide to a human contact surface. By using steam, we are able to avoid unwanted risks and the inherent problems that accompany pesticides,” he said.
He said that good sanitation “is the equivalent of using a pesticide when it comes to fly control. The use of steam as a cleaning agent reduces or removes the organic medium that the insects breed in at the same time that the heat kills the larvae.”

Meek points out that both positive and negative statements have been made about the use of steam in pest control. “Our answer to the critics is, ‘It’s not for everyone, you have to make the decision that’s best for you. We have our processes and are happy with them and they are successful.’”

PRODUCT LINEUP. The AmeriVap line of steam cleaning and sanitizing equipment, which also is used in the University of Kentucky study, includes the two small units that are suitable for PCOs, said Diercks. They are popular because they both plug into standard 115VAC receptacles. Both are readily portable, and Diercks said that, depending on the bed bug business a pest management professional may be able to generate, a couple of units will support several crews. Much larger units are available for special applications.

Units are readily portable, with a carrying handle. Basic accessories include the pressure hose, a triangular brush and a 1-inch nylon brush. A wide variety of additional accessories also is available for special jobs.

There is no recurring service required beyond draining the water chamber every 200 hours, and there are no service parts needed. New units are sold through the company and a national network of dealer representatives, and replacement parts are stocked and available with 24-hour shipment from the headquarters in Atlanta.

The author is a Cleveland-based freelance writer. He can be reached at bsvec@giemedia.com.