IN DENMARK and Germany, the hot air treatment has been used on a large-scale since the 30s to control wood destroying insects in roof constructions. Officially acknowledged as a method of pest control suitable for residential buildings, warehouses, historical buildings, churches and others, the hot air treatment is one of the leading wood pest control treatments around today.
The hot air treatment is based on the fact that living organisms are incapable of surviving temperatures above 46C and the higher the temperature the faster the bugs are destroyed. Treating the affected roof beam is simple: hot air is blown into the attic/roof with specially developed hot air tubes until the necessary temperature to destroy the bugs is reached in the centre of the affected beam.
No toxic agents or inflammable solvents are used, there is no danger of explosive or flammable gas mixtures escaping and there is no risk of fire as the ignition temperature of wood is far higher than the actual temperature used during the treatment.
By using the hot air treatment, it is not necessary to remove the infested wood parts, ensuring that there will be no damage to the structure of the building. Its main victim is the furniture beetle, but the hot air treatment is also effective against sapwood beetles, woodworms, other wood pests and fungi.
As a toxicologically harmless treatment, the hot air system has many special advantages: it only takes a short period of time to rid beams of munching critters (at 54C the furniture beetle can be destroyed after 20 to 60 minutes) and can be done at any time of the year.
Guaranteeing the total elimination of pests, it is carried out in an easy and harmless way, ensuring that there is no weakening of the construction and there is no effect to any wood or fire protection agents already on the beams. There is no damage from corrosion or danger of poisoning and, as long as the constructional timber has been assembled during the last 60 years, the treatment is successful at eliminating pests and preventing their return.
• For further information, contact Michael Kaeser on 968 556 321, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.matabicho.com
