Warmer weather, increased airflow and busy doorways can make insect control harder during summer. For food-processing, manufacturing and storage facilities, the most effective approach is to identify the openings creating the greatest exposure and match the barrier to the way each doorway is used.
A pedestrian entrance does not need the same solution as a large loading-bay opening. Some sites need a simple physical barrier. Others need to maintain ventilation while keeping insects and larger pests out.
Quick answer
Use a well-fitted PVC strip curtain for smaller pedestrian and light-vehicle entries. Where flying insects are a particular concern, Anti-Insect PVC adds a citronella-based deterrent. For larger openings that also need airflow, consider a ventilated high-speed door such as the Ulti Roll Bug Shield.
Start with the doorway, not the product
Flying insects can enter through torn strips, visible gaps and doorways that remain open during vehicle or pedestrian movements.
Before choosing a solution, look at:
- How long the opening remains exposed
- Whether people, trolleys or vehicles use it
- Whether the facility needs airflow through the opening
- The condition and overlap of any existing PVC strips
- Whether the opening leads directly into a production, packing or storage area
Start with the entries that remain open longest or lead into higher-risk areas. MPI pest-control guidance includes proofing premises, monitoring possible entry points and using physical controls such as screens and door seals as part of an effective pest-control approach.
Option 1: Anti-Insect PVC strip curtains
Standard clear PVC strips form a flexible physical barrier while allowing people and light traffic to move through the doorway.
Where flying insects are the main concern, Ulti’s Anti-Insect PVC strips offer an additional layer of deterrence. The yellow translucent strips contain oil of citronella, which is intended to discourage flying insects from approaching and passing through the opening.
Best suited to: Pedestrian and light-vehicle entries where airflow is not the main priority.
A PVC curtain still needs to be correctly sized, overlapped and maintained. Torn, curled or missing strips can leave easy entry points, regardless of the PVC grade selected.
Option 2: Ulti Roll Bug Shield
Some facilities need airflow through a large opening, particularly during warmer conditions. Simply leaving a roller door open may improve ventilation, but it also removes the physical barrier across the doorway.
The Ulti Roll Bug Shield is a high-speed reinforced PVC door with full ventilation panels. It is designed to maximise airflow while helping keep birds and pests out. It offers a standard opening speed of up to 2.5 m/s, helping the doorway close promptly after traffic has moved through.
If the curtain is accidentally displaced, the retention system can allow it to be restored through the guides on doors up to 3,500 mm wide. Damage to the curtain, guides or structure may still require inspection or servicing.
Best suited to: Larger or higher-traffic openings where ventilation and pest control are both important.
Smaller entries
Anti-Insect PVC Strip Curtains
A practical option for pedestrian and light-vehicle entries where flying insects are the main concern.
Larger openings
Ulti Roll Bug Shield
Better suited to larger or higher-traffic openings where natural ventilation is also important.
Can you upgrade your existing PVC curtain?
You may not need to replace the entire curtain system.
If the rail, hangers and fixings remain secure and compatible, replacing worn strips may restore the barrier. Before ordering, confirm:
- Strip width and thickness
- Existing overlap
- Rail or hanger type
- Opening width and height
- Whether the current PVC grade suits the application
A complete kit may be the better option if the hardware is damaged, the doorway dimensions have changed or the existing configuration no longer provides suitable coverage.
Check each doorway before shutdown
✓Torn, cracked or missing strips
✓Strips that stay curled or bent
✓Visible gaps when the curtain is at rest
✓Loose or damaged hanging hardware
✓Poor overlap across the opening
✓Doorways that are regularly left open
Prioritise entrances into packing, production and storage areas, followed by loading and dispatch openings that remain exposed during vehicle movements.
Why shutdown is the right time to act
Planned downtime gives your team better access to inspect doorways, confirm measurements and replace worn components with less traffic in the way.
It also creates an opportunity to review the facility as a whole. One entrance may only need replacement PVC strips, while another may need a ventilated high-speed system because leaving the opening exposed has become part of normal operation.
PVC strip curtain kits typically have a lead time of about four business days before dispatch, according to the campaign’s current product-page guidance. Confirm stock, configuration and delivery timing before setting a shutdown order-by date.
Plan around how each doorway is used
There is no single pest-control door solution for every opening.
A correctly fitted Anti-Insect PVC curtain can be a practical option for smaller entries where flying insects are the main concern. A ventilated high-speed Bug Shield may be more appropriate where a large doorway needs to remain usable while maintaining airflow.
The important step is to identify the openings creating the greatest exposure and select a solution that works with the traffic, environment and operating requirements of the site.
FAQ
Do PVC strip curtains keep insects out?
PVC strip curtains can help reduce insect entry by maintaining a physical barrier across an open doorway. Their effectiveness depends on the fit, overlap and condition of the strips.
Ulti’s Anti-Insect PVC contains oil of citronella intended to provide an additional deterrent to flying insects.
Can we maintain airflow while controlling insects?
Yes. The Ulti Roll Bug Shield uses full ventilation panels to allow natural airflow while helping keep birds and pests out. Actual airflow will depend on the opening size, panel configuration, wind and building ventilation conditions.
Can we replace the strips without replacing the rail?
Potentially. If the rail, hangers and fixings are secure and compatible, replacement strips may be enough. Confirm the strip dimensions, overlap and mounting system before ordering.
When should we inspect our insect-control doorways?
Inspect them before periods of increased insect activity and during planned shutdown or maintenance windows. Doorways should also be checked when strips become damaged, gaps appear or operational changes cause an entrance to remain open longer.