Bioremediation Application Program for the Control of Small Filth Flies

Bioremediation Application Program for the Control of Small Filth Flies

The Rose Pest Solutions Bioremediation Program is one of many tools in your arsenal to minimize fruit flies and other related small filth flies that infest organic debris within food service areas.

When properly applied to accumulated organic matter, bioremediation products are effective and useful because the nature of the products is to destroy organic matter. The bacteria’s ability to break down greases and fats, coupled with their appetite to consume the same organic debris that flies eat, make this type of product an integral part of a comprehensive small fly program.

Utilizing both a B&G sprayer and a foaming sprayer we have an ideal combination to apply these products directly to the infested areas quickly and easily. Applying the product solution with a B&G sprayer is an option for large areas. A foaming solution, however, can blanket the debris for over an hour, preventing flies from entering or leaving. During this time, the declining foam slowly soaks bacterial spores into the organic debris.

Required Equipment

Required / Optional / Rarely Needed
B& G Sprayer / Inspection Mirror
Foaming Sprayer
(B&G Versafoamer, Foamer Simpson, Chapin Foamer) / Rags
Drain Brush(es) with splash guard
Screw Drivers
Scrapers
1 qt. Spray Bottle
5 gallon bucket

Products Needed

• Invade BioFoam
• Invade Multi RTU
• Invade BioCleaner
• ProFoam Foaming Concentrate
• Invade Hot Spot (limited use)
• Gentrol
• Rockwell Bio-Bullet

Mixing Directions

For Foaming Application

1) Measure 4 oz. of Invade BioFoam and 1 oz. of Gentrol into the foaming sprayer.

Or

Measure 8 oz. of Invade Bio Cleaner, 4 oz ProFoam Foam Concentrate and 1 oz. of Gentrol into the foaming sprayer.

2) Add water to the solution to bring the fill level to the 1 gallon mark.

3) Pump the foaming sprayer approximately 50 times.

4) Shake the foamer vigorously for 10 seconds.

5) You are now ready to apply foam to drains and other surfaces.

6) The solution will remain effective for a week when stored in the foamer.

Setup - Foaming

The foamer will work best when kept in an upright position. Only use the provided nozzle tip when doing spot applications. For applying to drains and beneath equipment, use the provided tubing to replace the nozzle tip. The foamer works much better without the nozzle and applies a greater volume of foam with the tubing in place.

For Spray Application

1) Measure 8 oz. of Invade Bio Cleaner, and 1 oz. of Gentrol into the B&G sprayer.

2) Add water to the solution to bring the fill level to the 1 gallon mark.

3) Shake the sprayer to thoroughly mix the solution.

4) Pump the sprayer to build pressure.

5) The sprayer is now ready to use.

Or

1) Fill the B&G sprayer with Invade MultiRTU and 1 oz of Gentrol.

2) Agitate to mix thoroughly.

3) Pump the sprayer to build pressure.

4) The sprayer is now ready to use.

The Initial Service

The initial service is the most important service in this program. In order for the program to be effective this service must be very thorough. For the purposes of this protocol it will be assumed that detailed documentation regarding the number of drains to be treated, other areas to be treated, and areas of concern has been provided by the Salesperson who established the service.

During this service it is important that you clean the drain thoroughly as well as treat the drain. By skipping the initial cleaning process it will take much longer for the process to become effective. Remember, we are always looking at more than just floor drains. Soda towers, soda lines, and beer drain lines are some of the additional areas you will treat.

All of the floor drains must be cleaned thoroughly. The other areas of concern will primarily just be treated with product.

The Floor Drains - Cleaning

1) Locate all of the floor drains. Make sure your count matches or exceeds the count you were given.

2) Remove the drain cover.

3) Clean both sides of the drain cover with product and the small brush.

4) Put hot water in your bucket and pour some down the drain to moisten the sides.

5) Use your small brush and brush around the rim of the drain.

6) Use your scrapers to scrape build up from as much of the drain sides as possible.

7) Use your long handled drain brush to scrub the drain walls as far down as possible.

1. Make sure your brush has a splash guard to prevent splash back of drain contents onto your face.

8) Rinse the drain with more hot water to removed loosened organic matter.

9) Apply product as directed in the application section of this protocol.

10) Replace cover on drain and then locate the next drain.

Application Techniques

Drains – Foaming

Foaming is the preferred technique for cleaning floor drains and must be used when cleaning drains during an Initial Service. The expansion of the foam will guarantee the product is evenly dispersed along the drain wall, fills cracks and crevices and stays in contact with the drain walls the maximum amount of time. On drains that you cannot remove the drain cover; this is the only effective way of treating the drain as the tubing can be inserted into the drain through the cover.

1) Place tubing from foamer as deep into the drain as possible.

2) Press trigger and begin foaming, slowly pull the tubing out as the foam expands.

3) Allow the foam to reach floor level. This technique will foam the entire drain shaft.

4) You may have to pump the foamer more than once to maintain the volume of foam needed to fill the drain.

Drains – Spraying

Spraying drains is often a quicker, but less effective, way to treat drains. Spaying cannot be done effectively on a drain that the cover cannot be removed. At times, removing and replacing the drain covers eliminates the time savings of spraying.

1) Remove the drain cover and set aside in a safe place.

2) Insert the tip of the sprayer wand into the drain as far as possible.

3) While pulling the sprayer trigger rotate the spray wand to ensure complete coverage of all sides.

4) On the first spray in the drain you will need to spray longer in order to insure the products runs down the sides to the water line.

5) Continue to rotate the wand and spray while pulling out the spray nozzle until the drain walls are completely covered.

6) Invade MultiRTU requires 4 ounces of material per drain.

7) Make sure to apply product to the rim of the drain and the drain cover.

8) Replace drain cover and move on to the next drain.

Other Areas

Drains are not the only areas where organic material will build up and provide food for small flies. Soda towers, beer taps, food prep tables, dish washing equipment and floors are all areas that commonly have organic build up. In order for the program to be successful we need to address these areas as well.

Soda Towers

These dispensers can be foamed without completely disassembling them.

1) Loosen the plastic bottom drip tray, pull upward and slides towards you a few inches.

2) The back stainless steel panel can then be pulled away just enough to allow the foamer tubing to fit behind.

3) Release the foam until it oozes out of the panel.

4) Treat from both sides.

5) Close stainless panel.

6) Wipe away excess foam.

7) Continue by foaming beneath the plastic drip tray.

8) Wipe away excess foam.

9) Close tray.

10) Insert the tube into the tray drain and fill the drain tube with foam.

11) With the wiping rag, wipe down the sides, top and dispensing heads of the soda tower.

Beneath Equipment

Debris and organic matter below coolers and other equipment frequently breed fruit flies and other flying insects. These areas should be cleaned prior to a spray or foaming application.

1) If the customer fails to comply with sanitation recommendations to clean, do your best to remove as much debris as possible. Utilize a squeegee to collect and dispose of unwanted debris.

2) Keep the foamer at maximum pressure and shake well before making this application.

3) Foam the furthest areas first and work towards you, focusing on the wheels, legs and large debris below the unit.

4) Avoid allowing foam to expand into areas where people walk. The solution can be very slippery.

Garbage Receptacles

Infested debris and liquid beneath the plastic liners of garbage receptacles can be treated with foam or spray.

Remove the plastic liner, coat the bottom of the receptacle including 3 – 6 inches up the sides and replace the liner. The liner may disturb some of the foam, but will prevent the foam from evaporating.

The wheels on many garbage cans are frequently a separate wheeled cart. Thoroughly foam or spray this entire cart paying attention to the void between the can and the cart and the wheels.

Spot Applications

Fruit flies often breed within debris beneath soda lines and other copper pipes lying on floor beneath bars and dish wash areas. Corner areas that are difficult to clean can also accumulate organic matter that breeds flies. Situations like this should be cleaned first but can be treated with a spot application of foam.

Documentation

Everything you do must be documented on the Service Report. Any negative sanitation conditions must be documented as well as verbally conveyed to the client. Any structural problems creating conducive conditions (cracked tile, missing grout, wall holes) must be communicated as well.

Regular Service

The initial service is followed by 4 follow up services spaced a week apart. This is necessary in order to build up the good bacteria population level to an effective level to overcome the negative environment.

After the initial service and the 4 follow up services, regular service will be done twice a month. Unlike the Initial Service that was focused on cleaning, these services will be more focused on inspection, treatment and communication with the client.

Service Procedure

1) Interview the client to get their assessment of the program thus far. Ask about improvement and if there are any fly activity hot spots.

2) Do a walk through inspection of the serviced areas to determine if anything has changed. Has the client complied with the sanitation recommendations? Has fly activity reduced?

3) Inspect all of the previously treated drains to determine their condition and if the process is beginning to be effective.

4) The treated drains should not need to be cleaned again during the initial follow up period. During the twice monthly service period you should use your drain brush on the drains at least one service a month.

5) Thoroughly treat the drains with foam or spray. Remember, the Gentrol label calls for reapplication every 2 weeks. Do not add Gentrol if it was used the previous week.

6) Thoroughly treat all of the other treated areas paying attention to soda towers, soda lines, beneath equipment and difficult to clean floor corners.

7) Everything you do must be documented on the Service Report. Any negative sanitation conditions must be documented as well as verbally conveyed to the client. Any structural problems creating conducive conditions (cracked tile, missing grout, wall holes) must be communicated as well. These must be presented in a cause and effect manner so the client understands that these are the cause of their problem and the effect it will have if not corrected.

Tips

- When organic matter is present that is a breeding area for flies a pyrethroid or non-repellent insecticide may be added to the foam or spray to knock down the adults.

- Careful applications of CB 80 or ECO PCO ACU may be used to knock down adult flies.

Residential Applications

Occasionally in a residential setting we find a small fly problem that is not resolved by the standard sanitation improvement methods and treatment protocols. Typically the pest involved will be Moth Flies/Drain Flies. Like all fly problems in order to resolve the problem the source must be identified.

Inspection

The most common residential pest infestation scenario will involve Moth Flies/Drain flies breeding and feeding in an ejector pump pit in the basement. In order to resolve the infestation you need to know what you are looking for and understand the difference between a sump pump pit and an ejector pump pit.

Sump Pump Pit

• A sump pump pit typically collects water from the basement or crawl space and moves it to the sewer system for disposal. The defining feature is the single pipe leading from the pit.

Ejector Pump Pit

• An ejector pump pit is found in basements that have bathrooms, showers or washing machines. The ejector pump pit collects the waste water and ejects it up to the sewer system at grade level. The ejector pit or pump will have a grinder capable of grinding the solid waste from the bathroom into a more liquid form that is easier to move up to the sewer lines.

The high concentration of organic waste in the residual water in the ejector pump pit makes it a prime breeding and feeding location for Moth Flies/Drain Flies. Due to the infrequency in which many basement showers and toilets are used the water in the pit tends to sit stagnant for a long period of time.

Due to the stagnation of the water in the ejector sump pit, one of the best fixes is to recommend that the homeowners turn on the shower or flush the toilet for 10 minutes each day. In reality this is a cumbersome process that is unlikely to be followed.

Problem Resolution Methods

Rockwell Bio-Bullet

1) Using Invade Bio Foam and Gentrol in a foaming applicator apply foam to the entire ejector pump and the sides of the pit to jump start the remediation process.

2) The Bio-Bullet sits at the bottom of the pit and will slowly release good bacteria over the next 90 days. The good bacteria eat the food supply of the bad bacteria and they die thus taking away the food supply of the Drain Flies/Drain Moths. Once the food supply is gone the Drain Flies/Drain Moths will be gone.

Microbemax Continuous Cleaning System

The Microbemax Continuous Cleaning System is an automatic system that treats the drain/pit every 15 minutes with naturally occurring microbes to digest waste and convert it into harmless substances eliminating the breeding and feeding sources for flies.

1) Using the enclosed hardware and/or Velcro, attach the Microbemax dispenser to the wall closest to the ejector pump pit.

2) Attach the applicator tube to the dispenser and run the tubing into the pit.

3) Secure the tube in a manner that insures the tube will dispense into the pit. You can use a cable tie and secure it to one of the pipes.

4) Install the included battery and turn on the unit.

5) Install the Microbemax product in the dispenser.

6) Run the meter a couple of times to insure the product flows.

7) Using Invade Bio Foam and Gentrol in a foaming applicator apply foam to the entire ejector pump and the sides of the pit to jump start the remediation process.

8) The unit will now automatically dispense for the next 30 days.

9) Schedule the client for another service in 30 days to replace the Microbemax and check the batteries. Or you may sell the Client Microbemax product and they can replace it on their own.

Identify the Source, Eliminate the Source, And Eliminate The Flies.