How Do Bed Bug Treatments Work?
Sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite. It’s an old rhyme, and one mired in myth. Some historians aren’t sure the original rhyme even contained the word bed bugs.
One thing is certain—bed bugs are a problem today in homes, hotels, and schools.
Myths surrounding these pests aren’t only found in silly rhymes. You’ve likely heard all kinds of stories about bed bug treatment. Most of those stories are anecdotal at best.
Today, we’re unpacking the truth about how to get rid of bed bugs. Take a minute and read this post before you try yet another unsuccessful DIY treatment program.
Have Bed Bugs Will Travel
A common misconception about bed bugs is they’re only attracted to filthy homes. Sure, they live in dirty spaces, but they also thrive in clean mattresses and box springs. If you have an infestation, there’s a good chance you brought them home after staying in a clean hotel.
Bedbugs travel home with people in luggage, in purses and backpacks, and on clothing. If you buy used beds or couches, you may discover bed bug stowaways after you set your new furniture up at home.
Bed bugs also have an uncanny ability to travel between hotel rooms and apartments.
Aside from exercising diligence when traveling, it’s not as important to know how they got there as it is to figure out how to get them out!
Getting Rid of Bed Bugs the DIY Way
People waste time and money on a wide variety of bed bug treatments that flat-out don’t work. Here a few ill-fated DIY methods people claim gets rid of bed bugs:
- Vinegar
- Baking Soda
- Ultrasonic Devices
- Talcum Powder
- Moth Balls
- Tea Tree Oil
- Dryer Sheets
- Rubbing Alcohol
Most items on this list are ineffective. The ones that may kill some of your bed bugs include vinegar, tea tree oil and rubbing alcohol. There are problems with each of these home remedies, but the biggest issue is that they don’t kill all the adults and they kill none of the eggs.
Death by Freezing Vacuuming and Washing
Now, these 3 DIY bed bug treatments do work to an extent. Unfortunately, on their own, they’re usually not enough to completely eradicate bed bugs from your home.
Wash
Wash bedding and clothing at a high temperature (minimum 140°F) for 90 minutes or more. You’ll kill the adults, nymphs, and eggs. Washing is only effective to remove bed bugs from infested bedding and clothing.
While heat is an effective way to get rid of bed bugs, and one used by professional exterminators, it’s not guaranteed to eliminate 100% percent of the bed bugs from your home.
Freeze
Bed bugs hate extremes in temperature—both heat and cold. To freeze bed bugs out, place infested items like pillows and other bed linens in the freezer. Keep the temperature at or below 0°F. Leave your items in the freezer for a minimum of 4 days.
Vacuum
Taking a vacuum to bed bugs is certainly the simplest method and it’s likely one of the most effective. You must thoroughly vacuum your home and pay extra attention to the undersides of furniture, mattress seams, cushions, and pillows. After you finish, empty the vacuum container outside in a trash can.
Combined with a professional bed bug treatment program, using these methods to remove the pests from your home can help.
Using Insecticides to Eradicate Bed Bugs
Do an online search and you’ll find a dizzying selection of bed bug sprays and insecticides. The problem with these products is their lack of effectiveness.
You have to know where your bed bugs are hiding out or you’re just spraying blindly. Also, sprays and foggers can’t get into some of the tight spots where bed bugs hide.
Another issue with sprays is that over time, bed bugs have built up an immunity to many of the pesticides on the market. Finding one they’re not resistant to isn’t something the average person knows how to do.
Keep in mind, using chemicals may not be safe for your family and your pets.
How Do the Professionals Do It?
Professional exterminators tailor the treatment to the location and the extent of the infestation. They use conventional treatment methods, heat treatment, or a combination of the two.
Conventional bed bug treatment includes:
- Pesticides
- Crack & Crevice Injections
- Spot Treatment
- Mattress Encasement
These treatments work best for localized infestations. They also work well for low-level bed bug problems in small homes, apartments, and hotel rooms.
Residents must vacate the premises during treatment and it’s likely you’ll need more than one treatment to eliminate bed bugs in their various life stages.
Heat Treatment
Also called thermal remediation, heat treatments are the most effective way to eradicate heavy infestations. Combined with a conventional treatment method, you’ll get rid of bed bugs for good.
Heat treatments work by heating the infested space to 120°F or above with industrial-sized heaters. If you’re hoping for a single treatment and you have an extensive infestation, this is likely your best solution.
Both treatment methods require you to prepare your home and then leave for the number of hours recommended by your exterminator.
Another myth about bed bugs is that once you get rid of them, they’re gone for good. Even the most successful treatment program can’t guarantee a bed bug won’t hitchhike into your space on a person or their belongings.
Need to Schedule Professional Bed Bug Treatment?
Now that you know more about the different ways you can get rid of a bed bug infestation, you don’t want to wait another minute to get started, right?
If you want to know more about bed bugs and other pests, or need pest control services in your home or business please visit our site at https://synergy2ms.com. Feel free to read more about us and decide if Synergy² is the right company for you. We have over 200 Five-Star Google reviews for pest control service in the Jackson metro area (Jackson/Madison/Brandon/Ridgeland). Check out our newest location reviews for pest control service in Jackson, MS here!
Are you dealing with an infestation of something other than bedbugs? Check out the following article from our friends at Jen Reviews: https://www.jenreviews.com/house-bugs/
Interested in learning more about bed bug treatments? Please visit the following sites:
https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-home-guide/how-to-get-rid-of-bed-bugs
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/298185.php
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bedbugs/symptoms-causes/syc-20370001
Also, please review our recent blog posts on bed bugs:
https://synergy2ms.com/look-a-like-bugs-mistaken-as-bed-bugs/
https://synergy2ms.com/where-do-bed-bugs-come-from-and-how-do-you-check-for-them/