Vacuuming can help, but vacuum bags should be sealed and taken outside. Clean clutter, and remove pictures from walls, posters, clocks, and other items. Caulk cracks and crevices around baseboards.
Wash infested bedding and clothing in hot water above 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a mask when doing this. Apply a desiccant (diatomaceous earth) that is labeled for pests in void spaces, behind wall plates, and along the seams of furniture. Contact Killian Pest Control expert today!
Heat Treatment
During heat treatment, your home is raised to a temperature that is lethal for all stages of bed bug life. Portable heaters are used to gradually heat the environment while the space is monitored by temperature sensors and infrared thermometers. This approach eliminates all stages of the bugs, including the eggs, in a single treatment. This option does not require the removal or replacement of furniture or mattresses, and it is safe for pets and children.
The first step of any professional bed bug treatment is a thorough inspection and assessment by a pest control technician. This will help the technician identify all areas of infestation and locate hiding spots. After the inspection, the professional will recommend a specific treatment strategy. It is important to understand the scope of the problem and the severity, as this will dictate how much time is required for complete elimination.
Traditional Chemical Treatment
A chemical application of insecticides to targeted areas is an effective way to treat a limited number of infested spaces. The treatment is sprayed to cracks and crevices where the bugs are known to hide, such as under mattress seams or in folds of furniture. The chemicals are typically odorless and non-toxic to humans, so the area may be occupied during the application. In some cases, multiple applications are necessary to kill all the bed bugs. This is because bed bug eggs often hatch within a few days of the initial treatment.
Another option for treating a limited number of infested rooms is the use of a special mattress encasement that will starve and suffocate the insects. While this is a good solution for a small infestation, it is not a permanent fix and will likely need to be replaced after eighteen months or so. A professional can also use a variety of dust and aerosols to target specific locations in the home.
A more long-term solution is to freeze the infested items in your home, such as bedding and furniture. This is a cost-effective and quick way to rid your home of the bugs. However, the process is not foolproof, and it is important to know that the items will be thawed and ready to resume feeding on the hosts after about three days.
Chemical Treatment
There are more than 300 EPA-approved chemicals that can be used to treat bed bugs. These chemicals fall into six different categories: biochemicals, desiccants, insect growth regulators, neonicotinoids, pyrethrins/pyrethroids, and pyrroles.
While chemical treatments are effective for minor infestations, they’re not as effective at eradicating pests from hard-to-reach areas like cracks and crevices. In addition, bed bugs are developing resistance to these chemicals. Despite this, it’s important to discuss the options with your pest control professional when deciding on a treatment plan.
A chemical treatment is typically applied as a liquid or aerosol. A trained pest control technician will apply a coating to the affected areas of your home or business and then allow it to dry. After the treatment has been completed, your pest control expert will remove any infested items and seal the area to prevent re-infestation.
If your infestation is severe, fumigation may be necessary. This treatment option is also effective for eradicating bed bug eggs, but it’s typically ineffective in the fight against adult bed bugs. This is because adult bed bugs are often able to hide and reproduce even after all of the other stages have been eliminated.
During fumigation, you’ll need to vacate your home or business, including your pets. You’ll also need to remove heat-sensitive items such as wax and crayons. Your pest control expert can offer advice on what’s safe to keep in your home or business and what needs to be removed before fumigation begins.
The most important part of any bed bug treatment plan is prevention. It’s a good idea to always use a mattress encasement when purchasing or using mattresses. This will help to protect your investment and keep your family, friends, and guests from bed bugs. You can also avoid infestations by avoiding infested hotels and vacation rentals and thoroughly inspecting and washing all used furniture before bringing it into your home. You can also protect yourself by always checking for signs of a bed bug infestation, including itchy welts on your skin. If you do find bed bugs, contact your pest control professional immediately for a treatment plan.
Fumigation
Probably the most effective treatment option against a large bed bug infestation, fumigation involves placing your home under low-pressure sealed conditions. It’s the only method that can target and eliminate the bugs throughout your entire home, including crawl spaces and attics. Because of this, it can take the longest amount of time to complete and requires more preparation on your part before starting.
During fumigation, professional pest control experts will use specialized equipment to carefully place pesticides in all the cracks and crevices where the bugs are known to hide. They may also apply spot treatments involving concentrated pesticide application in areas where the infestation is most severe, such as on a couch or in other hard-to-reach places. Lastly, they will use heat or steam to raise the temperature in your home to levels that are lethal to bed bugs but safe for your family and pets.
Before fumigation, you will need to make sure that you have cleared out any clutter where bed bugs can hide during the day. You will want to vacuum any mattresses, pillows, and box springs, along with the frames and headboards. It’s also a good idea to clear out other items where bed bugs might be hiding, such as in drawers and dressers, in closets, or under rugs and furniture. You’ll need to also clean and wash any clothing, linens, or stuffed animals that you have infested.
You will also need to remove or seal animal nests, such as bird’s nests and bat roosts, from your home. This will help prevent the spread of the pests and their eggs into your house during the fumigation.
Once you have prepared for a fumigation, you will need at least 4-6 weeks to be completely bed bug-free. The length of time is based on the size of your home, the severity of the bed bug infestation, and the preparation steps that you have taken.
You will need to repeat some of the prep steps for each new room that you fumigate, such as clearing out all clutter and sealing up any open cracks and crevices. You will also need to purchase and install mattress encasements for the long term, as the goal is to starve and suffocate the bugs that are living in your mattress.
Spot Treatment
Bed bugs can be a real pain to get rid of once they’ve established themselves in your home. These little insects are masters at hiding, and it can take months before you even notice a problem. During this time, you need to regularly check your home for signs of bed bug infestation. You’ll want to keep in mind that the bite marks from bed bugs are not the only way to identify them; they can also be seen on clothing, furniture, and other fabrics. If you spot any of these, it’s time to call in a professional.
The first thing you’ll want to do is reduce clutter in your home so the bugs have fewer places to hide. Vacuum your home every day, including the floors, windows, molding, and furniture. When you’re finished, place the vacuum cleaner bag in a plastic bag and dispose of it outdoors right away. It’s also a good idea to wash bedding, curtains, and other linens in hot water and dry them on high heat. You can also use a dryer sheet on your pillows and mattresses, which will help absorb any odors that might be trapped in the fabric.
You’ll also want to put a mattress encasement on your bed, which will seal any bugs and eggs that might have made their way into the upholstery. You can also use a pesticide spray in areas that you think may be infested with bed bugs, but only if the product is labeled for bed bug control.
Cold treatment is another option, but this method requires you to place items in the freezer for three days. The problem with this is that many home freezers don’t get down to the necessary temperature, and you will need to make sure you have a thermometer in your home.
If you do decide to go with the cold treatment, we recommend that you only use a product that is labeled as safe for bed bugs and follow all instructions carefully. The same goes for any other insecticides you might try at home, and it’s important to remember that traditional insecticide treatments can take up to a week to complete.