Sanitation programs can be a great service offering for pest management professionals to provide their commercial customers. The presence of chronic moisture and organic matter creates special challenges for sanitation in commercial facilities. Food and garbage areas are the primary problem spots.  Unfortunately, wash downs and wet mopping tends to just push food and other organic debris and moisture into cracks and crevices where it builds up and often makes problems worse.

A bio sanitation program can address these facility problems effectively and in a “green” manner. Bio sanitation products can actually digest organic matter and eliminate odors. Choosing the right bio sanitation products will help ensure optimal results as not all bio sanitations products work the same way. Some products contain microbes (good bacteria) that produce enzymes, while others just contain enzymes. While microbes and enzymes both break down organic debris, they act differently with varying results. So how are microbes and enzymes similar and how are they different?

Similarities Between Microbes and Enzymes

Microbes (good bacteria) and enzymes are different, but they share a few characteristics. They are both naturally occurring. Microbes, like strains found in our InVade Bio Sanitation products, are derived from soil. Enzymes are produced by microbes. Enzymes and microbes effectively break down organic debris; however, they do this task differently. When compared to other caustic chemical cleaners, microbes and enzymes are safer options.

Differences Between Microbes and Enzymes

Enzymes are non-living proteins. Unlike microbes, they don’t consume organic matter. They just break it down into small pieces. Specific strains of enzymes break down FOG (fats, oils, and grease), proteins, carbohydrates, and cellulose. They work faster than microbes, but they don’t reproduce. Different types of enzymes break down different molecules. Proteases break down protein molecules. Lipases break down fat molecules, and amylases break down starch molecules. While enzyme-based products will help to break down organic matter, they won’t eliminate it. 

Microbes are living organisms, and bacteria is one type of microbe. These microbes act as tiny enzyme and bacteria producing factories that activate in the presence of their food source. In the Invade product line that source is carbohydrates, proteins, fats, cellulose, and urea. Microbes reproduce quickly, multiplying while a food source is available. Microbial products are more effective than enzyme-based products because they digest organic matter instead of just breaking it down.

How Microbes and Enzymes Work Together

Microbes and enzymes can work together to produce an effective bio sanitation product. Since bacteria cannot consume large pieces of organic matter, they need enzymes to break it down. Microbes produce these enzymes, and the enzymes help to speed up the chemical reactions between bacteria and waste. Once the enzymes break down organic matter into smaller pieces, the bacteria can digest it. This eliminates the waste, only leaving behind water and carbon dioxide. Microbes and enzymes work together to ensure organic matter is fully digested, resulting in efficient cleaning and odor elimination, even under the most challenging conditions.

InVade Bio Sanitation Products

Our InVade Bio Sanitation products utilize the power of microbes and enzymes. They are effective green cleaners that work more effectively than simple chemical cleaners in areas with chronic moisture and organic matter. Our InVade products contain microbe spores that activate when in contact with organic debris, which is their food source. The microbe strains found in the products were selected for their superior enzymatic activity and are effective against proteins, carbohydrates, fats including grease, and cellulose. They work well for a wide range of organic waste-related applications including drain lines, grease traps, hard surface cleaning and deodorizing, septic and waste treatment, as well as carpet and fabric care.

The InVade Bio Sanitation line includes:

• InVade Bio Bullet: The InVade Bio Bullet is a slow-dissolving solid block that contains naturally occurring, premium microbes in high concentrations. It dissolves over a 30–90-day period and reduces sludge, fats, oils, grease build-up, and other food-based waste and odors.
• InVade Bio Cleaner: InVade Bio Cleaner is a versatile 4-in-1 cleaning agent for mopping, spraying, foaming, and drain treatment. It is ideal for use in commercial kitchens, on dumpster pads, in outdoor dining areas, and in cracks and crevices
• InVade Bio Drain: InVade Bio Drain is a thickened probiotic gel cleaning formula for direct application to drains. It clings to the sides of drains, providing the microbes with maximum contact and enhancing the digestion of scum and the elimination of odors. It also works well in beverage fountain drip tray lines.
• InVade Bio Foam: InVade Bio Foam has a super-concentrated foaming formula that is effective for eliminating organic build-up and odors in commercial kitchens. The foam coats the application area to provide longer contact time for the microbes to work. It is designed to integrate with the Foamer Simpson™ or a power foamer.
• InVade Bio Zap: InVade Bio Zap is a ready-to-use spray that quickly eliminates organic odors at the source. It also removes stains, odors, and excrements from carpets, fabric, and hard surfaces. It can be applied to cracks, crevices, floor edges, garbage receptacles, bathroom walls, voids, and urinals.
• InVade Hot Spot+: InVade Hot Spot+ is an aerosol foam that offers 4-way action. It contains fast-acting enzymes, premium microbes, powerful citrus oil, and odor neutralization technology. It is ideal for drains, cracks/crevices, and other areas or voids with organic build-up. The 360° valve allows the can to be sprayed in any orientation for easy application.
• InVade Mop Clean: InVade Mop Clean is a hard surface cleaner that is available in a convenient single dose pouch for daily use and easy application. It eliminates odors and organic build-up in cracks and crevices in floor tiles, voids, baseboards, and drains. It is ideal for use in commercial kitchens.
• InVade Power Dose: InVade Power Dose is a programmable dispenser injection system that delivers a metered dose of concentrated microbial solution to drain lines. The 30-day continuous dosing maximizes the effectiveness of microbes. It is easy to install for simple and quick servicing.
• InVade SeptiTreat: InVade SeptiTreat is formulated to keep septic systems functioning properly. It reduces odors and frequency of pump outs and replenishes natural bacteria. Each 8 oz bottle typically treats a home septic system for 3 months and can be poured into a drain or toilet that leads to a septic tank.

Microbes and enzymes are powerful and naturally occurring ingredients. When used together, they effectively break down and fully digest organic build-up, resulting in efficient cleaning and odor elimination. Using the proven power of InVade Bio Sanitation Technology, you will be able to pursue a bio sanitation program with confidence and address your customer’s sanitation issues in a “green” manner.