Besides maintaining personal hygiene, keeping your home free from germs can play a part in preventing the spread of COVID-19. Since the virus is transmitted through respiratory droplets (and can survive for days!), keeping frequently touched surfaces clean is key. Need some help? Killem Pest has launched a home disinfection service where you can professionally disinfect your home without much downtime. Here’s what to expect.
Who are Killem Pest and why choose them?
For the past 27 years, Killem Pest has been managing pests and preventing the spread of diseases – so they definitely know what they’re doing! With loads of expertise in the field, the team is well-equipped to carry out disinfection and their pest management professionals (PMPs) are professionally trained to operate the equipment. Their PMPs are also familiar with the structure of different kinds of buildings (homes, offices and other commercial spaces) so you can be sure that the disinfection will be done efficiently and effectively. Beyond Singapore, the pest management service provider also operates two subsidiaries in Myanmar: Titan Pest Management and Titan Cleaning & Hygiene Services.
During the coronavirus outbreak, the company has put in place extra precautions to ensure the safety of customers and staff. All staff and PMPs take their temperatures twice a day. They are also told to see a doctor if they clock temperatures that are more than 37.5 degrees, and use hand sanitisers before and after each home visit.
What does the home disinfection package include?
Carried out by their licensed PMPs, the package includes the disinfection plus a disinfectant spray for your personal use (worth $17, while stocks last). Prices start from $120 for a two-bedroom unit.
How often the disinfection needs to be done in your home depends on your lifestyle and the frequency of activity. You can consult the company’s PMPs for advice.
How is the disinfection done and is it safe?
The disinfection is carried out through ultra low volume pressure misting. This means that you don’t need to be afraid of chemicals seeping into drawers or cupboards! The disinfectant itself consists of quaternary ammonium compounds that have proven to be effective against a wide range of bacteria, fungi and viruses. The chemicals also have low toxicity so they are approved and safe to be used in places such as kitchens.
All surfaces can be treated so you won’t need to spend extra time storing or covering all of the items in your home before the team arrives. Take note though: you’ll need to keep away food, cutlery, crockery and paper products. If there are any items or surfaces that you wish to avoid, just let your PMP know beforehand.
How long does it take?
This depends on the size of the treatment area. A small kitchen may take about 5 to 10 minutes to treat. After that, the disinfectant needs to remain untouched on the treated surfaces for at least 10 minutes. They recommend keeping windows closed so the mist stays within the treatment area.
To get the best results, leave the disinfectant to air dry after the treatment is completed. Since no residue will be left behind and no rinsing is required, you can go on with your day with little disruption.
Expat Living editor Lindsay Yap tried the service, here’s what she thought:
“The kitchen is one of the most highly used spaces in our home – we cook, eat and do our laundry there every day. With so much activity, it’s likely that there are germs lurking about, even though we always keep our floors and countertops clean. So I decided to have Killem Pest disinfect my kitchen.
On the day of the disinfection, they arrived on time and were quick to get things going. Their pest management professional donned protective gear, including gloves and a respirator face mask. When I saw that, I was initially worried about the level of toxicity. But I was reassured that the chemicals used are safe and that the staff use the gear as they are in frequent contact with the chemicals.
The disinfection process was very quick – about five minutes in total. During the treatment, the smell got pretty intense. So I’d recommend staying away if you can. I was glad that the smell didn’t linger after we opened the windows to air the space when the treatment was over. (You’ll need to keep the windows closed for about 10 minutes to let the mist settle.) The surfaces also dried fast and there was no residue or stickiness.
Everything went very smoothly and it was all done before I knew it! Best of all, the disinfection process didn’t inconvenience me in any way. It didn’t require much preparation and also had a quick downtime.”
Killem Pest
48 Toh Guan Road East, #04-99 Enterprise Hub
6896 6607 | killem.com.sg
Looking for more about living in Singapore?
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