We are finding a big growth in customers calling us. Because they've had a very high quote from a pest control company also recommending heat treatment. To treat cockroaches, fleas and bed bugs usually - and sometimes for moths.

MG Pest Control believes the heat treatment offered, is a 'gimmick', an expensive 'CON'. A company can offer this as a great way to push their price up considerably, e.g. a normal residential cockroach treatment of say £240 to £300 + vat, becomes £2,000 + vat maybe! A residential flea treatment of £120 to £240 + vat, becomes £1,400 + vat or more!

Often the heat treatment is sold as -  "...we'll heat certain items using a 'heat pod'..." or something. This will kill the eggs and pupae etc...

With fleas, bed bugs, and cockroaches especially - the encased stages might be anywhere, under the floorboards, behind skirting. No one knows. So, how is the heat pod going to work - particularly for these 3 pests? In truth it isn't ! It's a con.

The treatment always also includes chemicals - i.e. sprays, gel's - insecticides of some sort. The insecticide probably will work. If used properly, in the right places, right amounts, and the right insecticide - it always works. So, no need for the heat bit - right!

With moths - assuming it is a textile pest type though - heat treatment might be effective. But be careful, and see the link below containing more information on this.

It is true that insecticide can only kill non encased stages of a life cycle. The larvae (grub or maggot), or adult. If there is an egg or pupae, no insecticide can kill this.

However, severe heat or cold can kill the encased egg or pupae. But, as mentioned above - no one knows where these encased stages are, especially for bed bugs, cockroaches and fleas. You know what though - that doesn't matter - you don't need to know. All you need to do is treat with insecticides, and give it time, and repeat treatments as needed - job done. The encased stages will hatch out, and come into contact with the insecticide at some point, and die. NO NEED FOR HEAT !

Be warned of sales staff trying to sell you unnecessary and expensive heat treatment!

Note the link below - has more information on this issue, and contains links to other authorities on the failings of heat treratments.

If you are a company or resident in Hornchurch, Upminster, Romford, Gidea Park. Harold Wood, Harold Hill, Brentwood, Cranham. Dagenham, Rainham, Elm Park, Rush Green, Great Warley, Warley, West Horndon, or Bulphan.

And you need good advice - Call MG Pest Control.