Nova Extermination was called to intervene in a temporary shelter located in Bromont, on the South Shore, after the person in charge of the premises noticed several simultaneous cases of stings among the residents. Temporary accommodations and foster homes are among the most prone to bed bug infestations, due to the frequent turnover of occupants and the difficulty in controlling personal belongings brought into the facility. The Bromont sector, which includes the Le Gardeur and Charlemagne neighbourhoods, has several of these community facilities that face particular challenges in terms of pest management. A quick and discreet intervention was essential to protect people who were already in a vulnerable situation.
Comprehensive Building Inspection and Privacy Management
The inspection covered the entire building: the single rooms and shared dormitories, the common lounges, the dining room and the area for receiving donations of clothing and furniture. It was in the reception area that our technicians identified the probable origin of the infestation: a batch of upholstered furniture received as a donation and stored without prior inspection. Rooms and dormitories had varying levels of infestation depending on their proximity to the storage area. The entire inspection was carried out with particular attention to the dignity and confidentiality of the residents, explaining the procedures to them and minimising intrusions into their personal spaces. Our bed bug extermination service includes an essential human dimension in this type of intervention. Consult our work in another collective accommodation establishment for a similar context.
Treatment adapted to a sensitive environment
Given the presence of vulnerable occupants and the operational constraints of a shelter, the treatment plan was designed to be both effective and minimally intrusive. Heavily infested dormitories and rooms were given a heat treatment while driving: a section of the building was treated while the occupants were temporarily relocated to unaffected areas. A low-odor, harmless residual insecticide once dry was applied to all rooms, common areas, and storage areas. Upholstered furniture identified as a vector of infestation was removed and destroyed according to current standards. Diatomaceous powders were deposited on the periphery of each chamber and under the bases of the beds. The complete decontamination and disinfection of the surfaces after the treatment made it possible to restore the premises as quickly as possible. Our approach in this environment is in line with the spirit of our urban collective housing.
Enhanced monitoring and institutional recommendations
Weekly follow-up inspections were conducted for one month after treatment to ensure that there was no reactivation. Detection traps have been permanently installed in each chamber to allow continuous monitoring. The management of the shelter has been supported in setting up a protocol for receiving donations: mandatory inspection of any furniture or bedding before admission to the building, dedicated quarantine area for new items. A customized pest prevention plan was developed for the facility, taking into account its operational constraints and occupant turnover. Our extermination services in Quebec adapt to the realities of each type of establishment, from private residences to community organizations in Bromont and the entire South Shore.