Insect & pest control with air curtains
Insect & pest control with air curtainsAn air curtain supplying a high velocity sheet of air across a door opening will prevent flies and other flying insects from entering a building. This is a very important factor in restaurants, bars, food manufacturing and food service premises, where strict environmental health regulations apply.

As well as being an extremely beneficial side effect of an air curtain that is primarily employed for climate control, units are also installed for this reason alone. Air curtains such as the Economic A are ideal for small kitchen hatches as they provide unhindered access without the need for strip or chain curtains or other physical barriers, which can become unhygienic through continued use.

The most effective air curtain design, on an outside door, for insect control has an adjustable blade that can angle the air stream away from the area to be protected. An angle of about 20° from the vertical is usually optimal. The unit should meet or exceed Department of Agriculture and Federal Drug Administration standards, which call for an air stream 2-5 inches wide at the nozzle capable of producing a minimum velocity of 1600 fpm of air 3 feet above the floor and across the entire door opening. It is very important that the entire doorway be covered so that there are no gaps for the insects to enter.

The Insect Control air curtains can be mounted on the inside or outside of the doorway. When the building contains odours that are attractive to flying insects it is recommended that the air curtain be mounted on the outside so that odourless air is used to create the barrier.

As well as flying insects, air curtains can also discourage rodents from entering a building. Research has shown that rats, mice and other furry intruders do not like the sensation an air curtain creates on their fur and will avoid it.