Bed bugs are resilient and resourceful bugs, they well entirely with humans and feed on our blood to breed and live. As humans we don’t preferably want any blood-eating insects to live amongst us, therefore bed bugs have needed to adapt and be clever in order to survive. This has made bed bugs formidable pests to eradicate. There are many protocols that pest control professionals use and have had to adopt in order to eradicate these pests. However, when administered correctly, a bed bug heat treatment method is by far the best treatment option available. This article will delve into some treatment options and how they are in comparison to heat.
Vacuums:
A treatment method that may help to get rid of these pets is a high-powered HEPA vacuum where you go around sucking all the bugs up, but this is only a topical solution. It does not get deep into rugs, mattresses, and upholstered furniture. Using a vacuum also won’t get bugs that are hidden behind baseboards or inside outlets and electronics. Head radiates throughout the entire structure. It gets deep into the walls and can heat all the clothing in your closet which can radiate into couch cushions, mattresses, and even electronics.
Powder:
You can kill bed bugs by sprinkling powder on infested areas. Several powders will kill bed bugs on contact, but this treatment has the same issues as vacuums, as mentioned above. Applying the powder to infested areas can drive bed bugs to find safety in your walls and powders are also only a topical solution. There is also the potential for this product to be left after the treatment is finished. This is eco-friendly and leaves no residual chemicals on any of your bedding, furniture or appliances.
Steam cleaners:
Steam kills bed bugs in the same way as heat remediation treatment will but it is a focused measure. While it will manage to get deep into upholstered furniture and mattresses, it does not address the entire structure being treated. Using steam cleaners will also not do anything to stop bed bugs from fleeing into walls to avoid the treatment. Once bed bugs are in the walls, the steam will be 100% ineffective as a treatment option.
Traps:
You can kill bed bugs with traps, but it will also not resolve the bed bug infestation in a structure. Traps do have limited success in keeping bed bugs from biting you while you sleep, but even in this, these traps do fall short. Bed bugs can climb on ceilings and fall on your bed therefore the traps won’t be able to address the nesting areas or stop bed bugs from climbing up on you and feeding while you walk around your home.
Signs of infestation:
- Bite marks
- Blood stains
- Fecal spots
- Shed skins
- Live bed bugs.
Factors affecting extermination time:
The time required to exterminate bed bugs will often vary based on a number of factors:
-
The severity of the infestation
The severity will ultimately depend on the period to eliminate the bed bugs.
-
The treatment method
Different treatment methods have different timeframes. The different treatment methods such as chemical treatments, heat treatments, and integrated pest management approaches each have their schedules and ways of effectiveness.
-
Professional vs DIY treatments
Professional extermination services typically achieve faster results compared to DIY methods. Professionals are able to determine what method will be the most effective and they have the necessary tools and chemicals that are needed to get the job done.
-
Follow-up treatments.
Multiple treatments are often needed to ensure complete extermination. Bed bugs have a number of life stages that may not be effective by certain treatments and therefore often follow-up treatments are needed and encouraged.
Heat Treatments:
Heat treatments essentially involve raising the temperature of the infested area to a certain level that is lethal to bed bugs. This method is effective as it kills bed bugs at all life stages, including bed bug eggs.
-
Preparation:
Preparing for heat treatment involves moving certain items that could be damaged by high temperatures.
-
Treatment duration:
The heat treatment usually takes a number of hours, the area must reach and maintain a temperature of 130 degrees Fahrenheit for several hours.
-
Effectiveness:
Heat treatments are often the most effective in a single session, although severe infestations might require additional treatments.
