How to get rid of Bed Bugs
Found this great question and answer from mr. pest control about bed bug control
Thought everyone could benefit from this information on “How to get rid of Bedbugs”
Question:
What is the best treatment program to control bed bugs in a residence with a light infestation?
Augusto, FL
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Answer:
I believe the best way to look at bedbugs is either the house is infested or it is not. I know there can be some massive infestations, but even a home with 2 bedbugs will be an ongoing and growing problem if it is not resolved quickly. As one of our industry experts puts it, if you miss just a couple of bedbug eggs that are glued to a wall you have the likelihood that the problem will be back. And, given their ability to hide in just about any tiny hole, narrow crevice, seam on the mattress, or inside wall voids, there could be a much larger problem already than is obvious at first glance.
The key to bedbug management and 100% eradication is thoroughness. Every single harborage point that has bedbugs or their eggs within it must be treated in some manner, and pesticides are not the only tool you should consider. Pesticides are not going to kill the eggs well, and there continues to be the question of just how resistant to pesticides the bedbugs are. There certainly will be success at killing bedbugs using traditional insecticides, although most of the products seem to require several days or longer to achieve the kill of these insects, particularly if the bedbug is not treated directly, but instead only rests on a treated surface after it has dried. But, with respect to insecticide treatments you need to go from floor level to the ceiling in looking for harborage points, including edges of carpets and behind coving, electrical outlets and the wall voids behind them, which you can dust with Diatomaceous Earth dust, and even light fixtures on the ceiling.
Perhaps 70% or more of the bedbugs would initially be found on the mattress and on or within the boxspring, and in the bed framing. These would be the harborage points closest to sleeping people, so an intensive inspection and treatment must be done for these. The mattress and boxspring should be encased in a high quality encasement permanently, taking away these convenient hiding places for the bedbugs. Dressers and other furniture in the rooms must be treated in screw holes, hinges, drawer slides, and any other crevices. Missing a single hole might miss dozens of bedbugs or their eggs. Anyplace else that people rest or sleep is likely to have bedbugs too, so do not overlook couches and recliners in other rooms.
Aller Zip Mattress Encasements
One excellent tool is a steamer, and a good quality steamer, like the Amerivap carried by Univar, can be used to instantly kill bedbugs and eggs hidden in seams of the mattress, along floor edges, and just about any other place that the steam will not cause damage. A high powered vacuum can also be used to instantly remove many bedbugs from shallow crevices, but their eggs are cemented in place and are not likely to be removed.
The customer must be involved, as virtually everything in the infested rooms could harbor the bugs, including blankets, clothing, suitcases, pillows on chairs, and anything else. All items that can be hot laundered and hot dried should be, and then placed into sealed plastic bags. Anything that cannot be laundered or dry cleaned should still be placed within sealed bags and treated in some manner, whether by heat, freezing, or with vapona strips. Essentially the infested rooms should be emptied or all furnishings treated and confirmed clear of bedbugs before bringing any materials back into them. If the people choose to move out of the home for a few days they should NOT take anything with them that is potentially infested, such as a suitcase or changes of clothing that have not first been laundered and dried.
Bedbugs are now our toughest enemy, and removing them once they are in a home is not easy. But, it also is our chance as an industry to step up and be noticed for taking on this challenge successfully. They cannot be treated as you would any other pest, and insecticides alone may not be successful. Certainly you should plan on and charge for several visits, which will likely be needed. A variety of residual insecticides seem to be working, often with pyrethrum added to the spray solution to achieve faster knockdown, and possibly with an IGR as well. It would be beneficial to get a copy of the excellent resource book – the Bed Bug Handbook – sold by Univar. It is the most current and thorough information available today on how to deal with this insect problem.
Mr. Pest Control
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Gentrol Insect Growth Regulator
January 11, 2010
Posted in: Bed Bug Control, Uncategorized
One Response
Using the dry steaming method i can tell u is a really effective method for destroying bed bug infestations. Weve got it down to almost zero call backs.
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