A bed bug infestation is not a situation to take lightly. Bed bugs can go for lengthy periods of time without feeding and can be extremely difficult to eradicate. Once they’ve set up shop at your place, they’ll stick around until drastic measures are taken...so what are the most effective bed bug treatments?
The most effective bed bug treatment is one that begins with a call to a professional. Bed bugs are very difficult to get rid of so it’s important to have a bed bug pro inspect your property and provide insight into the problem, then propose the next steps to take for a solution. The treatments they suggest may vary, but will likely include:
- Heat Treatment
Sometimes called Whole Room Heat Treatments, this method is highly effective to kill bed bugs and their eggs quickly. Heat treatment involves heating the whole room (or rooms!) to a certain temperature for a specific amount of time. Bed bugs will die instantly at 122 degrees Fahrenheit, and the room is generally heated to 135- to 145-degrees Fahrenheit during this process. Although there is no lasting residual effect, this is a great way to make sure all those little pests and their offspring are eliminated. It’s important to point out the necessity of prevention if you use heat treatment – bed bug recurrences are possible, so you must remain vigilant to ensure not even one more bed bug gets access to your room.
- Insecticide Treatments
Insecticide treatments take longer than heat treatments but are quite effective when applied thoroughly and properly by a pest control professional. The chemicals used in this process can be very dangerous if applied incorrectly, so this is not the time to start a new DIY-pest-control project. Your pest pro will usually need to do several rounds of applications to ensure bed bugs and their eggs are completely eliminated over the course of treatment. Additional action may be necessary with insecticide treatments, such as washing bed linens regularly or freezing items that have been infested.
The most effective treatment for your particular situation depends on a pest control professional’s analysis of the infestation. Your participation will be important in the process, as preparations are needed whether chemicals or heat are used – items that could be damaged must be removed from the home or sealed properly.
Bed bugs are masters of operating in the shadows, coming out at night to feed and returning to minuscule cracks and crevices once again when daylight rolls around. It’s important to talk to a pest control professional at the first sign of a bed bug or egg – they will know which treatment will be the most effective, whether its heat or chemical. Save yourself the time, money, and headache of trying to eradicate a bed bug infestation on your own – let a professional determine which of the two most effective treatments is appropriate for you and say goodbye to bed bugs…hopefully forever! If you are looking for professional assistance with bed bugs in the Leander, TX area, call DM Pest Control today for an evaluation done by a caring professional.