Bed bugs are a nuisance. They get in the way of our beauty sleep, they leave annoying itchy rashes and on top of all of that, they’re a public health concern. But there’s no need to be ashamed or embarrassed if you have found them crawling around your home. Bed bugs are pretty hard to detect and by the time you find them usually, you already have a full-blown infestation. You just need to act quickly and find the best bed bug treatment for your home.
Are Bed Bugs Easy To Get Rid Of?
Well, the short answer to this question is no. However, the extent of the infestation will play a huge factor in determining how fast you will eliminate the bed bugs completely. Even commercial bed bug exterminators reckon that it takes more than one treatment to get rid of these pests.
Over the years bed bugs have grown resistant to a lot of insecticides and require a lot more to get rid of them. There are several approaches to the extermination of bed bugs where each has a different effectiveness duration.
Working with a reputable pest control company will always be your safest bet at a permanent bed bug treatment solution. A good pest control company makes use of the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs that have shown great results as far as bed bug extermination is concerned.
Types of Bed Bug Treatments
Chemical Bed Bug Treatment
Among the other forms of bed bug treatment processes, chemical treatment is one of the most common methods. Before the process commences, you will need to clear your room by removing the bedding, emptying the drawer among other things.
Usually, your exterminator should make use of non-chemical methods and introduce pesticides last. The goal here is to kill as many bugs as possible before using the chemicals. So, they will thoroughly vacuum the seams of mattresses among other areas where bed bugs like to hide.
Next, the exterminator will apply a mild pesticide to the areas where bedbugs are present. The type of chemical applied will have a residual effect which simply means it will remain effective for several weeks. Finally, the application of dust to those hard-to-reach places is the last step.
Advantages:
- Least expensive method available
- Very effective treatment
Disadvantages:
- Several applications are required for severe infestations
- The residual fumes and smell
Heat Treatment
If you are not comfortable with chemical treatment, then heat treatment is one of the non-chemical ways of killing bed bugs. Different from chemical treatment, the use of heat will ensure your entire house is bug-free on the same day. This method involves the use of special heat sensors, heaters, and fans. It takes up to 8 hours to completely get rid of the bed bugs from your house.
The technician begins by raising the room temperature to a range of between 57°C and 63°C. As hot air rises, the fans circulate the air inside the room to ensure the room temperature gets to the kill zone degrees. The process of raising the temperature of the entire house to the required range is what causes the process to take all that time.
Advantages:
- Focused heat isn’t required for crevices or hard-to-reach areas
- Non-toxic and very effective
- Bed bug elimination usually occurs within a day
Disadvantages:
- No residual effects
- Cost is more expensive
Steam Bed Bug Treatment
This is another non-chemical method that is used by pest control specialists to eliminate bed bugs. Quality steamers produce steam of temperature of up to 100°C which is far above where bed bugs and their eggs can survive, which is approximately 50°C.
Steam reaches a couple of inches from the surface of mattresses and crevices, therefore, killing bedbugs even in those tight corners. This process required trained hands that will move the steamer slowly along those heavily infected areas in the house.
In fact, the recommended speed is about one inch per second. You should know that it’s only those bugs that get into contact with the steam that will die.
Advantages:
- Kills bed bugs instantly
- Non-toxic bed bug treatment
Disadvantages:
- Requires repeated application
- Leaves no residual effects
- For treatment to work, steam needs to be applied to all affected areas.
Vacuum Treatment
Vacuuming can also be a great way of eliminating bugs. While the process is not 100% effective, it is good in reducing their numbers significantly.
It will require several vacuuming sessions to get rid of as many bed bugs as possible. Before making use of this method, be sure that the suction is as strong as possible. The vacuum should also contain a bag to trap the bed bugs. Not to mention, bed bugs will survive the trip down the pipe so it is essential you use a chemical method to kill them after capture.
Advantages:
- Treatment can be done by yourself
- Doesn’t require high-tech equipment
- Non-toxic treatment
Disadvantages:
- Vacuuming will not eliminate all bed bugs
- Will require repeated vacuuming to rid bed bugs
Conclusion – Visit Action Pest
There you have it, folks, the four main methods of eliminating bed bugs from your house. Each of these methods has its pros and cons. Getting the right method for you will require you to look at factors like time, degree of the infestation, and of course, your budget.
Our team at Action Pest is fully equipped with state-of-the-art tools to help you get rid of the bed bug problem in your home. With over 40 years of experience, Action Pest will help you get the much-need rest you deserve. Visit Action Pest today for more information.
