by Brianna Crandall — December 2, 2016 — Started by an entrepreneur who has a strong preference for organic and natural products, Urbanns pest control products are helping naval ships, hotels, hostels, medical colleges and individuals in urban residences get rid of bed bugs and other insect pests from their lives. Typical solutions for insects like these have become less effective due to resistance as well as high rate of recurrence observed when using standard pest control treatments, notes the company.
Urbanns products work mechanically by cutting into the exoskeletal layer of such insects and drying them up using its silica based desiccant properties. This prevents any resistance in insects and works on their eggs as well when left spread around, preventing any resistance. These solutions are said considered safer than chemical-based pest control products.
Organic Urbanns products are designed to kill bed bugs, fleas and other insect pests safely in two to three days.
Urbanns products are based on the proven effectiveness of Diatomaceous Earth — a natural mineral base on fossilized algae, also known as Siliceous Fossil Flour, D.E., diatomite, or kieselgur/kieselguhr — as well as other natural minerals. The company has been working with a group of agricultural scientists to test product variants and effectiveness as well as build the supply chain and quality assurance systems for their products.
The awareness of such do-it-yourself (DIY) methods is still nascent in India (where the company is based) and many other countries, with people expecting instant kill solutions that are not effective in the longer term, says founder Pooja Jain Hansaria. Urbanns products are designed to kill safely in two to three days.
The company’s research and interactions with customers have provided insights into the menace of bed bugs. Bed bug infestation is a big and prevalent problem, but no one facing it wants to talk about it openly, fearing stigma, notes Hansaria.
Bed bugs are no longer found in dingy and unkempt places; they are seen at premier hotels, lodges, paying guest facilities, private buses, hospitals and across urban homes, points out Hansaria. They are more resistant to old treatments and have a high rate of recurrence, requiring an integrated pest control approach involving natural methods, cleaning and recycling of clothes, and a thorough check and treatment across affected areas.
Urbanns currently offers solutions for bed bugs, fleas and ticks, pet deworming, plant and garden pest control and soil conditioning. The Pest Guard product can work across multiple insects found in urban homes. Urbanns Organic Bed Bug Powder and other products are available online through Amazon, Flipkart, Bigbasket and the Urbanns.com Web site.
Urbanns maintains a YouTube channel with videos on bed bugs and the Urbanns products.
