Fort Collins Man Invents Thermalstrike, Wins Entrepreneur Contest with Weapon Against Bed Bugs
After his own unpleasant experience, Mike Lindsey was determined to prevent bed bugs from infesting homes, inventing ThermalStrike-equipped Bed Bug Boxes to kill the pests where they hide in luggage, clothes and more before they're in the door.
GREELEY, CO, April 14, 2011
Mike Lindsey, president of Bed Bug Boxes and creator of ThermalStrike, took second place for his invention to prevent bed-bug infestations in the Start Up Ventures category of the University of Northern Colorado Monfort College of Business's Entrepreneurial Challenge.The competition began in November with 53 contestants and encompassed three stages of written business plans and presentations before a panel of judges. Ten finalists presented their businesses in early March at UNC's entrepreneurial expo.
ThermalStrike boxes are electric-powered heated enclosures in which travelers place their luggage and other items before they even enter their homes. After a few hours in the box, the heat kills any and all bed bugs or eggs hiding in the luggage, thus greatly reducing the possibility of bed bugs infesting their home. Placing second means Lindsey takes home $5,000 in prize money which he will invest in the manufacturing and marketing of his product line.
The re-emergence of bed-bug infestations was WebMD's top story of 2010. Lindsey, who calls himself a bed-bug survivor, had firsthand experience of the emotional and financial stress bed bugs put on a family following a vacation to Mexico in late 2008. This was before the raised awareness and stigma of bed bugs settled in New York City's hotels, theaters, homes and clothing stores, and in other communities around the U.S.
ThermalStrike uses a patent-pending film which heats multiple surfaces of the container to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. The heating film lining the boxes is less than 1 millimeter thick and evenly distributes the heat across the surface. The uniform heating prevents any hot spots that could damage items or leave cold spots where bugs could hide. All luggage, clothing and bedding are safely treated in Bed Bug Boxes, though items that such as cosmetics, candles, vitamins, medicines or electrical devices should not be placed in the boxes.
The enclosure is made from recycled corrugated plastics - the same material used for outdoor advertising - and is white, so people can see the bugs when they remove their luggage and other items treated. The boxes are designed so consumers can take them apart and store them easily.
Bed Bug Boxes are now available in two sizes: 31"x18"x14" (interior measurements) for family size luggage, priced at $159; and an 18"x13"x26" unit for smaller, carry-on luggage, priced at $94.99. Find them at Amazon.com.
For more information, call Mike Lindsey, (970) 672-7884 or e-mail m.lindsey@bedbugboxes.com.