Insects will move quickly to escape the effects of ongoing treatment. They do so by traveling outward and away from application areas or rooms being treated. The following protocol should help confine and neutralize adult insects while helping reduce future insect population outbreaks. The steps below are very detailed but worth the time if you are serious about getting rid on an insect problem.
Prior to spraying or fogging against insects some pre planning is in order. As a dog herds cattle, he or she plans to confine the animals so they are easier to handle. Same idea applies to fighting insects in this situation. Establishing an outer perimeter helps to confine the "herd" of insects making them easier to deal with. Secure adjoining walls of treatment areas. Unwanted insects will no longer easily escape treatment only to return another day.
2.** Turn off all furnaces/pilot lights in treatment areas.
3.**Turn off all fire alarms in structures areas to be treated.
4. Remove wall plates from plug outlets and light switches.
5. Remove clothing in drawers and closets. Place clothing in plastic sealed bags (if appropriate) and set outside. Be sure not to re-introduce insect activity from clothing when returning items into the area. Same concept applies to drawers and cabinets in hallways, kitchens or bathroom areas.
6. Set empty drawers up against wall.
7. Take down all pictures and place against wall.
8. Place mattresses up and against wall.
9. Place box springs up and against wall. Remove bottom dust cover.
10. Pull bed frame away from wall enabling you to get around all sides when spraying or fogging.
11. Check curtain rods thoroughly for any sign of insects. Spot treat.
12. Check alarm clocks and other appliances in room for signs of insects.
13. Put Diatomaceous earth (D.E.) in all plug and light switch boxes using a pest pistol powder duster.
14. When finished with #13 replace all plugs & light switch covers in wall.
15. If possible, seal wall plates with a small bead of clear caulk around returned covers of light switches and electrical sockets.
16. If possible, place new plug covers over outlets not being used by appliances. (Plastic child proof plug connectors.)
17. Inspect for holes or cracks under sink areas. Put Diatomaceous earth (D.E.) inside holes or cracks and seal with a sealant material appropriate for the job at hand.
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NOTE: Sealing areas described above will help prevent insect travel and reduce the likelihood that insects will escape during treatment.
Pre-treat room(s) with walls adjacent to rooms to be fogged. Include adjacent apartment, condo, office or warehouse walls? Using a pump style or back-pack sprayer, apply cedar oil from adjacent room side as follows:
1. Spray along baseboards. (Spray oil into any loose joints between wall and baseboard.)2. Spray under any loose carpeting along adjoining walls.
3. Inspect the upper corners of walls and behind any loose wall paper for signs of insects or eggs. Spot spray.
Pre-treat room(s) prior to fogging. Using a pump style sprayer or back-pack sprayer, apply cedar oil as follows:
1. Spray along baseboards. (Spray oil into any loose joints between wall and baseboard.)2. Spray under any loose carpeting.
3. Inspect the upper corners of walls and behind any lose wall paper for signs of insects or eggs. Spot spray.
4. Spray inside cavities of dresser. (corners especially.)
5. Spray dresser drawers inside, underneath and sides.
6. Inspect pictures and frames, if sign of insects or eggs are present spot spray.
7. Spray down mattresses. Double up spray in folds or creases. (Formula will not stain or attract dirt.)
8. Spray box spring inside and out. Make sure all wood framing gets wet, especially joints.
9. Spray entire bed frame (metal or wood). Include spray into cracks or hollow holes.
10. Spray head boards and foot boards. Double up oil in open joints or cracks.
11. Spray underneath, inside and tops of cabinets (bathroom or otherwise).
12. Spray all living room furniture. Include under cushions, sides and bottom of couch and chairs or other furniture in room.
13. Insects often migrate inside of door key holes. Spray oil into key holes of all doors.
Prepare the room prior to fogging.
1. Turn off all fire alarms.2. Turn off all pilot lights/furnaces Do Not Spray or fog near flames.
3. Close all windows.
4. Turn off AC.
5. Remove all pets. (Fogging will become overwhelming if pets are present.)
6. Place a towel on the floor at the bottom of the front door, so the mist does not leach into the halls.
7. Put on protective mask and goggles.
You are ready to begin fogging.
1. Fogging will require a repeat of steps 1-13 above but this time apply oil using the fogger machine rather than a hand held or back pack sprayer. Disperse the fog keeping the discharge head at a distance of approximately 20 inches from each item. The added fog will ensure deep penetration of the solution into each item including any cracks and crevices where insects may hide. Now it's time to fog the flooring. Begin at the farthest part of the room away from the door which you will exit. Fog entire floor surfaces whether carpet or other type of flooring. Use a side to side motion while aiming the fog toward the floor while walking slowly backwards until you reach the exit door.2. Prior to leaving, point the fogger straight in the room, turn on high and fog until there is a dense fog in the air. When it is hard to see through the fog, pick up your towel at the bottom of the doorway, open the door and close as quickly as possible then put the towel along the outside of the door so that the solution doesn't leech out to the hall.
Repeat the above protocols for each room to be treated in the structure. In living areas you should treat cabinetry, cupboards, drawers, couches, chairs and other furnishings much the same as bedding and dressers. Including treatments to all flooring of all types. Just before exiting the structure disperse a dense fog into the final room(s) until it is hard to see inside structure.
Leave treated rooms closed up for a minimum of 3 hours. (Ideally 24 hours prior to re-entering.) In general, longer times before attempting re-entry will allow the solution to do it's best work against insects and their offspring.
Upon re-entry, open up all windows and turn on fans if the cedar aroma is still overwhelming or uncomfortable. Do not turn on AC at this time.
Clean room(s) thoroughly. Particularly in food prep areas and foot traffic areas where personal safety may be of concern (slips, falls, internal consumption of cedar oil, etc.). Allow furniture and carpeting to dry naturally. This gives the product more time to dehydrate any eggs or larvae that may be present.
Inspect for any movement of live insects. Although there should not be any around at this time, there is always a chance that some simply found good places to hide. Repeat only the fogging portions of above instructions if deemed needed from your observations.
The following may reduce the likelihood of recurring infestation problems:
1. Consider purchasing bed bug detection devices and place them in strategic areas. These devices may help identify potential problems prior to an infestation.
2. In commercial structures where consumers are checking in and out of rooms, shelters or other migratory environments daily routine should include checking along top and seams of mattress and other furnishings for signs of black spots or other indication there may be a presence of insect activity. Spot treat immediately as needed.
3. Generally accepted practice for good housekeeping will always help reduce insect activity.
4. Diatomaceous earth (D.E.) in light switches and electrical sockets (removing covers first) will help in preventing the migration issues associated with insects.
5. Plugging all holes in wall and around pipes under sinks will help to further reduce insect migration issues.
6. Caulking between baseboards and wall will help reduce insects choosing to lay eggs in these highly desirable areas.
7. Inspect for areas where carpet has become loose or is coming up in corners. Glue down as tightly as possible.
8. Wall paper which has come loose on walls should be glued down.
9. If possible, put caulking inside holes or cracks of metal and wood bed frames.
Decide if purchasing mattress and box spring covers is appropriate for your situation.
Once every 45 days treat rooms along the wall and baseboards, under sinks and behind appliances using indoor cedar oil formula. Treat exterior of structures using outdoor cedar oil concentrate or ready to use formula.
