If you’re like most businesses, COVID-19 has taken a major toll on your ability to serve your customers. One of the most important things we can do is keep the places where people shop, eat and work as safe as possible. Orkin® VitalClean™ can help.

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What type of product are you using?

The product we are using is called Vital Oxide, a powerful but least-toxic disinfectant often used in residential, commercial and hospital settings.

Does the treatment kill COVID-19/Corona Virus?

The Orkin® VitalClean™ service uses a Health Canada registered disinfectant labeled for use against a wide variety of pathogens and included on Health Canada’s list of products that meet their criteria for use against SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

Do pests carry the coronavirus?How are you preventing technicians from contracting the COVID-19?

Our number one priority is the protection of all our employees and our customers. We follow Health Canada guidelines on social distancing and maintain a minimum 6-foot distance from others during the course of business. We have implemented robust policies and practices across our business to address current and new issues which may arise in the coming weeks. For example, we have instituted employee travel bans, provided health and hygiene best practices information to all employees, and instituted many other new policies for employees and customers, from new equipment and vehicle cleaning practices to ensuring personal protective equipment (PPE) is utilized and discarded after each service. We have implemented social distancing measures, instructed all employees to stay home if they are sick, and are sending regular reminders to make sure we stay vigilant.

What do you actually do? How does the treatment work?

Our VitalClean™ service protocol includes trained technicians carefully wiping down all high-touch surfaces in the treated area, then applying a misting application using specialized equipment, and letting it dry undisturbed, typically for 10 to 15 minutes. • Wipe down treatment – This application includes all inanimate human touch points, such as light switches, door handles, file cabinet drawer pulls, desk handles, etc. These areas will be treated with full-strength Vital Oxide using a microfiber wipe cloth. • Light misting treatment – After the wipe-down application to touch points, we will treat the entire space with a fine mist application, to ensure that all other areas have been treated. Not that we know of. Many pests are proven vectors for a variety of other pathogens, but so far, there is no indication that pests carry the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

Can our business remain open while you treat?

Orkin’s VitalClean™ service is best rendered after hours or otherwise when the building is unoccupied. In 24-hour facilities or other businesses that need to remain open during service, we can designate and treat unoccupied zones in rotation to allow most operations to continue during the service. (Note: A 10×20 foot zone can be treated in approximately 30 minutes, which includes application and drying time.)

Is there anything we need to do to prepare the site for treatment?

Prior to treatment, customers need to remove dust and dirt from the areas to be treated so the treatment has maximum impact, and place paper and other items that might be damaged from contact with a liquid mist into drawers, storage areas or just trash bags out of the way. Exposed food should be stored, and while you don’t need to do anything with electronic equipment, we will limit treatment to the “wipe-down” method for all electronic display monitors, computer terminals, TVs, electric motors, wiring or circuits, etc.

Is the disinfectant you use toxic?

No. The disinfectant product we use is Health Canada approved and defined by the EPA as “practically non-toxic and not an irritant.” It contains no ozone-harming volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and is mild on skin, hard surfaces, and fabrics.

Will I have to rinse treated food prep areas before using them again?

No. The product we use is rated “no rinse required on food contact surfaces” category D2 by NSF International, meaning it is approved for use in commercial or residential kitchens to control bacteria, viruses and mold without the need to wash/rinse the area with water after it is applied.

Why are Orkin’s technicians not wearing masks or protective clothing?

The safety of our employees and customers is our highest priority. We selected the product Vital Oxide partly due to its high efficacy, and partly due to its very low toxicity (see above). Our technicians are trained to follow all personal protective equipment (PPE) guidelines on the product label.

How long will the disinfectant treatment work after the service is complete?

After being applied at full strength in accordance with the product label, we let it dry undisturbed, typically for 10 to 15 minutes, at which point the product will have eliminated 100% of all bacteria and viruses on hard, non-porous surfaces. Like any other disinfectant treatment, surfaces can be re-contaminated after treatment. You should not believe any service provider or product manufacturer who claims that their product or treatment “kills COVID-19 for seven days” or similar. It simply isn’t true. With that in mind, you may want to consider weekly treatments of high-traffic areas to lower the risk of surface contamination and disease transmission, or immediate treatment of areas that have been occupied by someone showing COVID-19 symptoms.

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