Jun 1, 2011 – Nuvan Strips Placements
QUESTION:
We have a bedbug infestation. We would like to use Nuvan Prostrips. We plan to place the furniture in a box truck and seal the rear door, and then place the pest strips inside the sealed box for five days on a sheet of cardboard. Once done we would wash out the truck bed box and air it out. Could we then use the same box truck for food delivery?
ANSWER:
I always like to take some heat off myself by suggesting that you get the opinion of your own local regulatory agency. They are the ones who will ultimately interpret the product Label and say whether you did or did not remain within the guidelines on this document. In the case of Nuvan Prostrips and their use within an outside storage bin MY personal opinion is that you ARE within the allowances on the Label for this product. Nuvan Prostrips are labeled for use in a "container", according to the Label, and I believe that this box truck could be interpreted as a large container. These strips are NOT permitted for use in "food areas" though, and food areas are where foods are "stored, processed, prepared, or served", so you would need to be careful and again get the opinion of your local regulators.
The Nuvan label does go on to say the strips can be used in certain places where food is stored though, particularly "after canning and bottling", so if the food that will be delivered later in this vehicle is contained within these kinds of impermeable containers that certainly should be within the Label. The strips also are labeled for use in kitchen cupboards, which again suggests its okay to use them near packaged food. And, if you have removed the strips and the container is ventilated this also would likely be sufficient to allow that container to be used for food deliveries later.
A few issues here though. First is that you really want to ensure even distribution of the vapona vapors that are released from the strips, and placing all of them onto one piece of cardboard might not be sufficient. Better would be to place them sporadically throughout the container, and absolutely ensure you are using enough strips for the cubic footage in the container. The strips are good for up to 4 months, so once you complete this job re-seal them and use them again for the next job.
Another issue is the time of exposure, and studies by the Univ. of Kentucky sometime back showed that the strips definitely produce vapona that can pemeate enclosed items, such as electronics and boxes, but that the vapors do so slowly, and their suggestion was to leave the strips in place for as much as 2 weeks to ensure the kill of all bed bug EGGS, which are more difficult to kill. The Nuvan Label states to leave them for a minimum of 7 DAYS, so your 5 day plan is too short. To leave behind even a couple of live eggs is to leave the infestation in place. The other issue is to ensure the container is sealed completely to retain the vapors as much as possible, so lining the interior with thick plastic sheeting that is taped together at the edges would be very helpful.
If you do all this I suggest also placing all computers, TV's, and other electronic equipment in the truck as well. Bed bugs are perfectly happy to hide in these items and deposit eggs there too.
View past Ask Mr. Pest Control questions.
We have a bedbug infestation. We would like to use Nuvan Prostrips. We plan to place the furniture in a box truck and seal the rear door, and then place the pest strips inside the sealed box for five days on a sheet of cardboard. Once done we would wash out the truck bed box and air it out. Could we then use the same box truck for food delivery?
ANSWER:
I always like to take some heat off myself by suggesting that you get the opinion of your own local regulatory agency. They are the ones who will ultimately interpret the product Label and say whether you did or did not remain within the guidelines on this document. In the case of Nuvan Prostrips and their use within an outside storage bin MY personal opinion is that you ARE within the allowances on the Label for this product. Nuvan Prostrips are labeled for use in a "container", according to the Label, and I believe that this box truck could be interpreted as a large container. These strips are NOT permitted for use in "food areas" though, and food areas are where foods are "stored, processed, prepared, or served", so you would need to be careful and again get the opinion of your local regulators.
The Nuvan label does go on to say the strips can be used in certain places where food is stored though, particularly "after canning and bottling", so if the food that will be delivered later in this vehicle is contained within these kinds of impermeable containers that certainly should be within the Label. The strips also are labeled for use in kitchen cupboards, which again suggests its okay to use them near packaged food. And, if you have removed the strips and the container is ventilated this also would likely be sufficient to allow that container to be used for food deliveries later.
A few issues here though. First is that you really want to ensure even distribution of the vapona vapors that are released from the strips, and placing all of them onto one piece of cardboard might not be sufficient. Better would be to place them sporadically throughout the container, and absolutely ensure you are using enough strips for the cubic footage in the container. The strips are good for up to 4 months, so once you complete this job re-seal them and use them again for the next job.
Another issue is the time of exposure, and studies by the Univ. of Kentucky sometime back showed that the strips definitely produce vapona that can pemeate enclosed items, such as electronics and boxes, but that the vapors do so slowly, and their suggestion was to leave the strips in place for as much as 2 weeks to ensure the kill of all bed bug EGGS, which are more difficult to kill. The Nuvan Label states to leave them for a minimum of 7 DAYS, so your 5 day plan is too short. To leave behind even a couple of live eggs is to leave the infestation in place. The other issue is to ensure the container is sealed completely to retain the vapors as much as possible, so lining the interior with thick plastic sheeting that is taped together at the edges would be very helpful.
If you do all this I suggest also placing all computers, TV's, and other electronic equipment in the truck as well. Bed bugs are perfectly happy to hide in these items and deposit eggs there too.
View past Ask Mr. Pest Control questions.
