Bed Bugs Extermination
Bed bugs extermination can be a complex and even difficult process. Bed bugs are extremely tiny and tend to be resistant to many of the chemicals that are used to treat them. Because of this, a combination of methods is recommended in order to completely eradicate the problem. It is also advisable to enlist the aid of a professional, particularly one who is experienced in treating bed bug infestations.
Bed Bug Habits
Bed bugs feed on blood, preferring the human variety, but will opt for cats, dogs, rodents and even birds. They hide near where they feed usually, in the springs, mattress and headboard of a bed. However, as an infestation grows, they can move to other areas of the bedroom and even into other rooms such as the living room where they live in couches, chairs and other furniture. They prefer to feed at night, and many people do not even realize that they have a problem unless they or someone in the home is sensitive to bed bug bites. Bed bugs differ from lice and mites in that once they feed the leave the host, moving to another location to digest their meal. All of these factors pose quite a challenge to the professional who is engaged in bed bug extermination.
Where they Hide
While bed bugs typically hide near the places that they feed, their tiny (3/16 of an inch), flattened bodies allow them to hide in very small areas. Very tiny cracks and crevices, such as in the joints of furniture and even wooden clothes hangers, make very nice hiding spots for these insects. They are also very prolific. This means that when someone is called in to treat an area for bed bugs, that person must be very thorough and knowledgeable. Even if just three of four bed bugs are missed in a treatment, the infestation can reoccur and evidence of the insects can be detected within a matter of weeks. This is why bed bug extermination can be rather costly.
Pesticide and Treatment Applications
Bed bug infestations are usually treated using a three prong approach which includes spray application, powder application and dry steam application. The professional will enter the home and apply the products, treating each room as agreed upon during the consultation (bed bug extermination is usually charged and handled on a room by room basis). The pest control professional will make the applications and often give the resident instructions on how to proceed, including when they can vacuum (vacuuming too soon may pick up the powder application, thus making the application useless).
Clothing
Bed bugs can be transported via many different methods, including clothing. If an infestation is identified, it is important that all clothing, linens and other textile products be laundered thoroughly on a high heat setting. These items should be packed into a container, removed from the area, meaning it should be laundered elsewhere, then placed in a new container (the old container in which the items were originally transported to the laundering facility should be destroyed) and returned to the home. It is vital that any means of reintroducing the infestation to the items is completely destroyed and not allowed to come into contact with anything that is returning to the home.
Furniture and Carpeting
Furniture and carpeting should be vacuumed and steam cleaned. Bed bugs cannot live in high heat (120°F) so steam cleaning is highly recommended. Again, it is imperative that any material removed from the home for laundering is returned in a different container to avoid reintroducing the infestation to the home. This is the only way to support a bed bugs extermination process and keep the area free of the pests.
