A new environment-friendly pest control method will be introduced onto the South African market this year and will eliminate the use of methyl bromide gas during extermination, which is harmful to the ozone layer.

South African Pest Control Association (Sapca) VP Colin Jardine says heat treatment can significantly contribute to the management of certain pests and infestations without the need for chemicals or fumigants.

The heat treatment was intro- duced at Sapca’s PestBiz Convention, in Durban, in August 2012.

UK insect control systems company Thermokil MD Dave Hammond discussed the success of the treatment as a pest control measure under the convention’s theme, ‘Preserving the environment, securing our future’.

Jardine explains that the heat treatment uses air from the surrounding environment, which passes through a heating element or a heating duct. The heat energy is then transferred through the air and channelled into the contaminated area or item.

However, he notes that heating the area or item is not completely effective in the extermination of pests. Achieving the core temperatures of the infested area or item is, therefore, important for successful treatment.

It is important that the core temperature is high enough to affect the pest without compromising the infested item. The core temperature must be maintained for a predetermined period to ensure success.

The intention of the treatment is to increase the temperature of the target area equal to that of the heat source. To regulate the supplied energy, temperature sensors are used.

“It is generally accepted that temperatures of above 50 °C and 55 °C, depending on the species of the pest, will effect permanent control of insect species and stop the metamorphosis cycle of insects,” Jardine says.

The heat treatment is controllable and environment friendly and can be safely applied, with no health risk to humans or animals, as chemicals and gas are excluded from the process of exterminating insects in their various stages of development.

No factory shutdown or staff exclusion from adjacent areas is necessary, which provides cost and time savings.

The equipment used in heat treatment includes a heat-generating unit, blowers and ducting. The heat can be generated using electricity, diesel, fuel or liquefied petroleum gas.

Jardine notes that heating treatments are used widely in Europe, Australia and the US but are still not widespread in South Africa.

However, he says the country is actively taking into account global environment considerations and is applying a phasing-out of recognised pesticides to comply with international protocol and agreements.

Investing in pest management and fumigation technology is costly, as the technology is currently imported, Jardine says.

Further, he expects that heat technologies will gain popularity in South Africa and, as a result, will become standard technology as concern over environmental considerations increases.

Jardine adds that the correct timing of product launches affect the adoption of technologies in the South African marketplace. He says the association, therefore, aligns itself with credible suppliers to ensure that invest- ments in technologies have inherent longevity and support.

“Sapca welcomes technologies and methodologies that add value to the consumer without being harmful to the environment.”