LOGO: ALLERGY TECHNOLOGIES
Allergy Technologies, manufacturers of ActiveGuard Mattress Liners, has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by sharing the importance of pest control for public health. The company highlighted the importance of controlling structural pests such as bed bugs, cockroaches and rodents with many households following shelter-in-place orders and increasing food sources at home.
Although pest control was deemed an essential service by Homeland Security and a majority of states during the COVID-19 pandemic, companies mainly focused on outdoor pest control and overall stopped treatments for internal structural pests.
“The implementation of stay-at-home mandates has created a fertile breeding ground for bed bugs, roaches and rodents. This is especially true for multi-occupant, assisted living and hospitality properties,” said Joseph Latino, president of Allergy Technologies. “There is a need to strike the right balance between preserving public health through preventive and focused pest control, while not causing undue exposure risk to clients during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Bed bug introductions are at risk of rising without implementing prevention and timely treatments. Hotels have been repurposed as locations for the homeless, quarantine sites and temporary housing for healthcare workers and emergency first responders during the pandemic. While hotels are being returned to service and are undergoing sanitizing procedures, they should consider including bed bug detection, treatment and instituting preventive strategies, according to a news release from Allergy Technologies. These measures are significantly easier to enact, less disruptive and less expensive while the hotel is unoccupied.
Rodent activity is on the uptick throughout the country. Increased food storage, food waste and delayed garbage removal provide ample food sources for these pests to grow quickly in number. National experts note that, as quarantines continue and restaurants remain closed, rodent activity is likely to rise in homes, apartments, affordable housing and assisted living facilities.
Pest management professionals (PMPs) should be aware that residents now staying at home may resort to do-it-yourself pest control methods, including the improper use of household chemicals. “Many of these chemicals are highly flammable and can compromise those with breathing difficulties,” Latino said in a news release. “And some treatments may actually enhance the resistance of these pests to traditional chemical treatments, making treatment less effective and more time-consuming.”
PMPs can implement prevention programs using COVID-19 hygiene guidelines to reduce the problems caused by public health pests. “Delaying treatment and the implementation of preventive programs has created an explosion of infestations, which dangerously increases the levels of allergens for residents subject to asthma and related allergies,” said Gus Carey, founder of Allergy Technologies. “Residents of these facilities, particularly in typically underserved affordable housing, should not have to suffer the health problems, psychological distress and disruptions caused by these pests.”
Read more COVID-19 coverage here: MyPMP.net/COVID-19
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