Expected Service Levels and Treatment

The following sections outline the treatment methods and processes that ONPHA's pre-qualified Pest Control Service Providers have agreed to use to ensure that the service they provide to you meets the requirements of the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) model.

Recommended / Approved Treatment Materials

The following materials are recommended and approved for the treatment of bed bugs.  The use of any other materials by the Pest Control Service Provider (PCSP) must be pre-approved by the Housing Provider.

• Pyrethroid spray products such as Tempo, Dragnet.
• Diatomaceous earth pyrethrin dust.
• Natural pyrethrins applied as aerosol.

Treatment for Tenant Units

The PCSP is expected to approach the treatment of units diligently to ensure that control can be achieved. A thorough approach is required so that infestations do not remain unresolved and spread between units or on discarded items.

Treatment Method

Treatment shall consist of:

1. a thorough inspection for confirmation of the evidence of bed bugs;
2. removal, by vacuuming, where bed bugs are apparent;
3. application of pyrethroid spray and aerosol as recommended by the manufacturer to areas where there is evidence of bed bugs. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
   • bed frames;
   • room perimeters at cracks and crevices as appropriate and at perimeters of carpets;
   • bedroom furniture, as appropriate;
   • interior of mattresses through vents, if present (exceptional);
   • corner plastic protectors and interior of box springs;
   • upholstered furniture, underneath at bottom and interior;
   • behind pictures and other items hanging on walls;
   • at interior, back and bottom and interior drawers of dressers and other hard case furniture  where possible;
4. steaming of upholstered furniture; and,
5. follow-up treatment which shall be scheduled and executed 2-3 weeks after the initial treatment and be considered as part of the initial treatment process (not a new treatment).

Specific Treatment

While tenants are encouraged to vacuum mattresses and box springs, this is not always possible. In that case, the tenant will be advised not to remove the mattress and/or box spring in advance of treatment. Ultimately, this is the responsibility of the PCSP as part of the treatment process so that bed bugs are not disturbed and scattered before treatment (thereby making control more difficult). When a mattress encasement is provided, the PCSP shall place the mattress and box spring into the individual encasements when treatment is completed. The PCSP may also supply encasements and should indicate the supply and installation cost on the Pricing Form.

Adjacent Unit Inspections

Units immediately adjacent to the treated unit on the same floor shall be inspected at the same time as the treatment of the unit is undertaken. This will require preparation and advance notice to the tenant by the Housing Provider.

It is estimated that the adjacent unit inspections shall be approximately 10 minutes in duration and charged at the hourly rate. These units shall include:

• lifting of bed linens and inspection of the mattresses at seams;
• inspecting box springs at seams and at plastic corner covers;
• looking for any obvious signs of infestation in the bedroom on, about and adjacent to the bed frame;
• inspecting upholstered furniture such as sofas and easy chairs at folds, under cushions, and, where possible, underneath.

If a current infestation is found then arrangements shall be made to treat the infested unit(s). Additional adjacent unit inspections shall be scheduled as part of a progressive block monitoring and treatment process.

Total Building Treatments

Total building treatments will only be carried out with a solid basis in evidence, such as extensive, documented infestations and in conjunction with the use of tenant surveys. This will ensure that the treatment continues to take place in accordance with the principles of the IPM model. The decision to implement a total building treatment will be the decision of the Housing Provider with input from the PSCP.

Special Cases

Control without treatment by spray insecticide is very difficult. However, in special cases, the PCSP shall use vacuuming, steam treatment and, as possible, dusting with diatomaceous earth pyrethrin dust. Such cases shall be arranged in advance and shall be reimbursed at the hourly rate.

Treatment for Common Areas

Treatment Method

Treatment shall consist of:

1. a thorough inspection for confirmation of the evidence of bed bugs;
2. removal by vacuuming where bed bugs are apparent;
3. application of pyrethroid spray and aerosol as recommended by the manufacturer to room perimeters, in cracks and crevices as appropriate, and at perimeters of carpets;
4. follow-up treatment which shall be scheduled and executed 2-3 weeks after the initial treatment and shall be considered as part of the initial treatment process and priced with the initial treatment (not a new treatment.).

Monthly treatment

The Housing Provider may request certain areas of the sites be treated on a monthly basis with insecticidal spray treatment due to the risk of bed bugs. This includes move-out rooms, laundry rooms, tenant activity rooms (on an as-needed basis only), and other areas where risk has been identified. Incidence of infestation shall be carefully documented and reported.