Where there is a problem, there is often an opportunity. Mike Frye found his opportunity in the killing of bedbugs. According to RTOHQ, he has created a cost effective solution to help manage bedbud infestations called the Bug Out Thermal Extermination System.
“I began researching and found the heated trailers, the kind that super heat and kill off the infested items, run about $30,000,” Frye said. “Pesticides were cheaper but require multiple visits and involve toxic chemicals. There are other units out there that do this, but I knew I could get those same results with a much more portable and cost effective system that could be especially useful for RTO dealers.”
The $2,999 unit, just bigger than a split box spring is installed in the back of a 12-foot big delivery truck — some dealers may prefer a permanent insulated box — and operates from a 220 volt 50 amp circuit so a 50 amp range type outlet installed by the back door of the store is helpful. The cables are then connected and a thermostat is inserted into the edge of a mattress to measure internal temperature.
A 25-foot cable connects the heating unit to the temperature control box which tells the unit to run full power until the core of the mattress reaches 135 degrees. It then runs for 60 minutes cycling between 125 and 135 before it turns itself off.
“What’s great about it, besides the cost is it has no moving parts and it’s safer than kerosene or propane powered heaters,” Frye said.
Photo by Marta Kat