- (a) When used in this section, "Heat as a method of pest control" shall mean performing heat treatments for the purpose of treating and controlling bed bugs or other insects.
(b) Heat as a method of pest control may be used by a licensed commercial or noncommercial entity to treat and control bed bugs or other insects in:
- (1) A whole structure;
- (2) An apartment unit, room, or portion of a room;
- (3) A compartment containing furniture and possessions; and
- (4) Modes of transportation including, but not limited to, vehicles, compartment trailers, buses and RV's.
(c) Prior to and when conducting heat as a method of pest control, applicators shall:
- (1) Comply with applicable fire codes and local ordinances regarding the use of portable heaters, fire suppression systems, and other heat treatment related concerns;
- (2) Only use equipment designed and tested for use as an insect control device for a whole structure, whole room, or apartment unit bed bug heat treatment;
- (3) Carefully inspect heat equipment before use to ensure that it is in proper working order and no foreseeable fire hazards exist;
- (4) When conducting whole room heat treatment, ensure that the equipment has the capacity to raise and hold the temperature in the treated area to a level lethal to bed bugs of at least one hundred twenty (120) degrees Fahrenheit;
- (5) Ensure, through the use of heat sensors, that bed bug harborage areas are raised to a lethal temperature of at least one hundred twenty (120) degrees Fahrenheit and held for a sufficient period of time to kill all bed bugs and eggs depending on the size of the area being treated;
- (6) Place sensors in areas that are insulated or slower to heat to ensure the lethal temperature is reached; and
- (7) Monitor ambient air and surface temperature to avoid damage to heat sensitive items.
Added at 38 Ok Reg 1657, eff 9-11-21