Pest control system

Abstract

A method of pest control which includes heating the affected area to a temperature which is lethal for the pests being exterminated, and maintaining this elevated temperature in the zone for a predetermined period of time. The treatment is undertaken after determining the air flow parameters for the treatment zone, so as to be able to determine the CFM requirements for achieving a requisite air flow rate of between 0.5 and 70 air changes per hour in the treatment zone. Heated air is introduced to the treatment zone at the requisite air flow rate and at an initial temperature of at least about 240° F., with the temperature in the treatment zone being elevated at a predetermined rate until the air temperature reaches a predetermined set point. Once the predetermined set point temperature is reached within the treatment zone, the introduced heated air is adjusted to an eradication temperature and maintained in such a condition for a predetermined period of time sufficient to eradicate respective pests within the treatment zone.

1 . Pest extermination by thermal treatment of enclosed pest-occupying treatment zones comprising the steps of: 
 (a) determining air flow parameters for the treatment zone;    (b) determining CFM requirements for achieving a requisite air flow rate of between 0.5 and 70 air changes per hour in the treatment zone;    (c) introducing heated air to said treatment zone at said requisite air flow rate and at an initial temperature of at least about 240° F.;    (d) elevating temperature in said treatment zone at a predetermined ramp rate until air temperature in the treatment zone reaches a predetermined set point;    (e) adjusting temperature of the introduced heated air to an eradication temperature; and    (f) maintaining said requisite air flow rate at said eradication temperature for a predetermined period of time sufficient to eradicate respective pests within the treatment zone.    
   
   
       2 . The pest extermination by thermal treatment of enclosed pest-occupying treatment zones of  claim 1  wherein said eradication temperature is at least 120° F.  
   
   
       3 . The pest extermination by thermal treatment of enclosed pest-occupying treatment zones of  claim 1  wherein the temperature adjustment of the introduced heated air is performed in a single step-function.  
   
   
       4 . The pest extermination by thermal treatment of enclosed pest-occupying treatment zones of  claim 1  wherein the introduced heated air is between about 50 and 100% outside air.  
   
   
       5 . The pest extermination by thermal treatment of enclosed pest-occupying treatment zones of  claim 1  wherein said predetermined set point is equal to said eradication temperature.  
   
   
       6 . The pest extermination by thermal treatment of enclosed pest-occupying treatment zones of  claim 1  wherein said predetermined set point is less than said eradication temperature.  
   
   
       7 . The pest extermination by thermal treatment of enclosed pest-occupying treatment zones of  claim 1  wherein said predetermined period of time is at least about 11 hours.  
   
   
       8 . The pest extermination by thermal treatment of enclosed pest-occupying treatment zones of  claim 1  wherein said predetermined ramp-up rate is up to about 10° F. per hour.