The mere mention of bed bugs can trigger a sense of alarm and a barrage of questions. How did they get in? And, more importantly, how does one get rid of them effectively?
Understanding the nuances of treatment is crucial for a successful battle against these resilient pests. In the quest for a peaceful, bug-free home, knowing your enemy – and the treatment weapons at your disposal – is half the battle won.
Bed Bug Treatment Methods
Tackling an infestation may require one treatment or a multifaceted strategy. The effectiveness of any treatment is contingent upon understanding the wide array of methods available and choosing the right combination.
Here’s a breakdown of the most commonly deployed treatments, sorted by type:
Heat Treatments
- Professional Heat Treatment: Professionals use specialised equipment to raise the temperature of your home to a level that is lethal to all life stages.
- Steam Treatment: A more targeted approach, steam can be used on mattresses, furniture, and other surfaces. The high heat kills them on contact, and be DIY through a tool like a bed bug steamer or done professionally. This kills both eggs and adults.
- Clothes Dryer: Bedding, clothing, and other fabric items can be treated by running them on a high heat cycle in the dryer for at least 30 minutes.
Chemical Treatments
- Spray: There are numerous bed bug sprays on the market specifically formulated to kill bedbugs. They often contain pyrethroids or neonicotinoids, which affect the nervous system of the bugs.
- Foggers: These can disperse chemical insecticides into hard-to-reach areas, although their effectiveness is sometimes debated due to the ability of bedbugs to hide in small crevices.
Non-Toxic Treatments
- Insecticide Dusts & Powders: Dusts like Bed Bug Killer powder, or diatomaceous earth can be applied to areas where they hide and can remain effective for several months. These are non-toxic substances that can be sprinkled around bed bug-prone areas, which work by dehydrating the insects.
- Bedbug Barriers: Physical barriers such as mattress encasements and interceptors can prevent them from reaching you while you sleep.
- Vacuuming: Regular vacuuming can help reduce numbers, but it’s unlikely to completely eliminate an infestation.
Each of these methods has its own set of pros and cons, and they are often most effective when combined. Treating them with heat, for instance, is excellent for rapid extermination, but doesn’t offer long-term protection, making it more effective when used alongside preventive measures like barriers.
Chemical treatments can be very effective, especially if they are resistant to one type of insecticide, multiple types can be rotated. However, they can be toxic, often require careful handling and professional intervention, and may not be suitable for all households.
Non-toxic bed bug treatments are safer for families and pets and require less time than hiring a pesty.
Generally, it is recommended to attempt a DIY treatment process first, utilising non-toxic and heat-based methods for removing these pests, before reaching out to professionals. The majority of infestations will be absolutely treatable when doing it yourself, if you have the right tools.
Each method should be carefully considered in the context of the infestation’s severity and the household’s needs to ensure a successful and safe bed bug extermination process.
DIY Bed Bug Treatment: A 3 Step System
As mentioned above, when dealing with the daunting task of getting rid of them, a do-it-yourself approach can be effective, especially when dealing with a mild to moderate infestation. But what would an effective DIY treatment process look like?
The Bed Bug Barrier System: Extermination 101
To treat a bed frame with slats, follow these steps:
Step 1. Cover the mattress with a bedbug-proof cover.
Step 2. Steam clean the entire bed frame, especially cracks and crevices, and thoroughly steam both sides of the bed slats.
Step 3. Dust the bed frame and slats with Bed Bug Killer powder, ensuring a fine layer covers all surfaces.
Step 4. Install barriers like the Floor Barrier or Barrier Tape at the base of bed legs and dust with the Bed Bug Killer.
Ensure a 30 cm gap between the bed and surrounding items to isolate the bed.
Additional Tips & Guidelines
On top of using the three step system, here are some useful additional tips and guidelines for those choosing the DIY route for treating bed bugs…
Inspection: First and foremost, thoroughly inspect your home to identify all the infested areas. These pests can hide in the smallest of places, including cracks in the furniture and folds of curtains.
Wash and Heat: Launder all your bedding, curtains, and clothing in hot water and dry them on the highest dryer setting. For items that cannot be washed, use a bedbug steamer to kill the bugs and their eggs.
Vacuum: Vigorously vacuum all areas, especially where you’ve spotted them. Remember to immediately dispose of the vacuum cleaner bag outside your home.
Seal Cracks: Seal all cracks and crevices around baseboards and electrical outlets to eliminate hiding places.
Regular Monitoring: After the initial treatment, monitor the infested areas regularly to ensure that they are gone.
By using a systematic approach, you can enhance your chances of success. For example, Bed Bug Barrier’s system emphasises the importance of prevention, which will dive into more deeply in a moment, ensuring that once you have addressed the current infestation, you are not vulnerable to future ones.
Professional Bedbug Extermination Services
Despite the best DIY efforts, some infestations may be too severe or too resilient, calling for professional bed bug extermination services. Professional services may also be better suited to professional environments, such as treating infestations in hotels or workspaces.
Professionals possess a depth of knowledge and have access to a range of commercial-grade tools to effectively combat bed bugs. The benefits of hiring experts include:
- Thoroughness: Professionals are trained to inspect and treat all possible hiding places, which may be missed during DIY treatments.
- Efficiency: Experts can often resolve infestations more quickly due to their experience and the powerful tools at their disposal.
- Safety: Professional exterminators are knowledgeable about the safe application of chemical treatments, reducing the risk to you and your family.
- Follow-up: Many professional services offer follow-up visits to ensure that the infestation is completely eliminated.
Natural Remedies for Bed Bug Control & Prevention
Amidst the arsenal of bedbug battling tactics, natural remedies are often sought after for their eco-friendly and non-toxic nature. However, while they may seem appealing, many of these natural solutions fall short when it comes to effectively eliminating bed bugs.
Eco-friendly approaches like using essential oils, baking soda, or black walnut tea have been touted as bedbug remedies. Yet, their efficacy is largely anecdotal and unsupported by scientific research.
These methods may offer a temporary deterrent but are not reliable for fully eradicating an infestation. It’s crucial to be wary of solutions that promise an easy fix without concrete evidence to back their claims.
Preventing Future Infestations
This is equally as important as addressing a live infestation. Incorporating prevention strategies ensures long-term protection and peace of mind. Following treatment, implementing preventative measures is critical:
- Educate yourself on how to spot bed bugs and their signs, so you can take immediate action if they reappear.
- Consider decluttering your space, so there are less hiding spaces.
- If bringing secondhand furniture into the home, make thorough checks first.
- Use bedbug-proof encasements for your mattress and pillows, which create an impenetrable barrier against bugs.
- Install bed bug interceptors under bed legs to prevent them from climbing onto furniture and apply Bed Bug Barrier Tape around the edges of rooms and beneath furniture legs to deter bedbugs from accessing sleeping areas.
- Regularly inspect and vacuum your living spaces, paying close attention to hidden crevices and upholstery seams.
- Be vigilant when travelling; be sure to check your room for signs of bed bugs to avoid picking up hitchhiking nasties.
Remember, prevention is the most sustainable approach to bed bug control. It’s not only about combating an existing problem but also about making your living space less inviting to these pests in the future.
Securing a Pest Free Environment
In summary, effective bed bug extermination blends immediate action with preventative measures. Stay informed and proactive in safeguarding your home – a vital step towards maintaining a bedbug-free living space.
Are You Looking for an Organic DIY Treatment?
Watch Our DIY Treatment Video For An Ensemble Bed
Watch Our DIY Treatment Video For A Bed with Slats
Steven Marsh says
Your steamer, along with the Bed Bug Killer has helped us remove these bugs from our home. As soon as we noticed the small blood spots on the bed sheets we knew what we were dealing with and we were very worried as we had two toddlers. A friend of ours recommended we try your products and it was the winning solution for us.
Jeanine says
While washing and vacuuming as often as possible could help you get rid of some bugs, you will never be able to have a pest-free home without a substance to fight against bed bugs. I highly recommend you try the Bed Bug Killer this company sells and you will be able to get rid of that annoyance.
Eleanor says
I have two dachshund puppies and I can’t use high-toxicity bed bug sprays. I stumbled upon your website after reading a Facebook post and I couldn’t be happier. I am now waiting for my order to arrive and pray to God it will work. I try to use organic, natural products as much as I can and I’m glad this is safe both for me and my doggies.
Tony Abraham says
Hi Eleanor
I can guarantee you it will work, we have never had one complaint after selling 100,000 bottles of Bed Bug Killer powder!
Regards
Tony
Annie Marie Peters says
Absolutely. Using poisonous chemicals inside the home is dangerous to your heath. I encourage everyone to try these natural and poison-free alternatives to get rid of bed bugs.
Tony Abraham says
Hi Anne Marie
The general public have had enough of poisonous sprays, that is why we registered Bed Bug Killer powder with the APVMA here in Australia.
Regards
Tony