5 Bed Bug Treatment Methods: What is Best for You?

“Small but terrible.” This famous adage exactly describes what bed bugs are. These pesky pests may be very small in size but they are never easy to control and eradicate. In their lifetime, these ectoparasites lay hundreds of eggs and they depend solely on blood meal for survival. Typically, bed bugs suck human blood and, nocturnal by nature, they do it cunningly at night time so that their sleeping host will not be able to notice their attack.

Indeed, preliminary signs of bed big infestation are often times taken for granted. People only start to take action when the bugs have already spread making their presence more evident. Bed bug bites should also not be taken lightly. Though these itchy bites are not necessarily life-threatening, you must still worry for these bite mark may go infected especially when left untreated.

The good news is that experts have been coming up with various advance techniques to address bed bug issues. On top of DIY bed bug remedies you can do at home, these five bed bug treatment methods are known to be really effective:

• Visual check

This serves as the most basic of all five treatment methods. The first you must do the homeowner is to see for yourself all the subtle indications of bed bug infestation. Inspection is done more properly with the assistance of a pest control expert who knows exactly what to look for and where to look for. Doing a visual inspection is a crucial step prior to any bed bug treatment as this helps you determine how serious the infestation is and what appropriate treatment method can be applied to solve the problem.

• Vacuum cleaning

This method particularly works when the infected area is easy to clean and not too big. A quality vacuum, typically one with filter, can efficiently suck those annoying pests out of their nest without giving them the chance of escaping and spreading. Using the vacuum, you should clean those areas surrounding the bed including the walls and floors. As additional precautionary measure, you must make sure to dispose of the vacuum bag, place it inside a well-sealed plastic bag, and throw it into a well-covered trash can well away from your home.

• Hot and cold technique

It is a known fact that bed bug die when exposed to either intense heat or cold. Thus, laundering your clothes, linens, curtains, bedding, and other washable items using hot water is the best way to go. To further reassure that no single bed bug is left alive, you must place the laundered items in the dryer for 20-30 minutes. For non-washable materials, experts advise putting the items inside the freezer for 24 hours up to 4 days. The hot and cold technique has been found to kill bed bugs.

• Bed bug heat treatment

This treatment method is quite popular since most pest control companies favors this method because it does not use chemicals which can be harmful to health and the environment. Eliminating bed bugs through bed bug heat treatment can be accomplished in less than half a day. Your chosen pest control agents will simply mount specialized heaters, remote thermometers, and wireless sensors inside the infected area and maintain a room temperature of 130 degrees to 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Those stubborn little critters will surely die just minutes after being exposed to this heat. Since bed bugs could still possibly re-infest your home after treatment, it is best to apply a residual pesticide as a follow-up procedure.

• Chemical treatment

Chemicals like insecticides are effective when it comes to eradicating pests. Once you opt to use chemical treatment, make sure to coordinate with licensed professionals as they are more knowledgeable as to the types of approved chemicals to use and appropriate amount of insecticides to apply to the infected area. Chemical treatment needs to be done for two or more sessions to ensure that all the bed bugs are removed.

So far, these five treatments are the ones that truly work best for treating an infestation. Dealing with bed bugs is not a joke. Thus, these methods along with the help of pest control professionals must be taken into account if you intend to protect your home from those creepy crawlies.