Bed bugs have been infesting homes and causing chaos for over three thousand years.
Similar to vampire folklore, bed bugs prefer to emerge at night and feed on human and animal blood. Their bites can leave behind a tell-tale itchy rash for their unlucky victims.
While they are a surprisingly common nuisance, you don’t have to learn to live with these creatures. There are effective ways to eradicate these biting beasts from your home.
Thermal treatment for your home or property is the most effective way to end a bed bug infestation once and for all. If you are facing a bed bug infestation, you may not know what kills bed bugs or how to get rid of them. Read on to learn more about why a thermal treatment works and what to expect.
Bed Bug Warning Signs
Bed bugs can be difficult to detect because of their small size and varied hiding spots. If you want to check for an infestation, there are ways to notice the first signs of bed bugs.
Bed bug bites are the first sign and the most common complaint. When bed bugs bite they also leave blood stains or excrement on your sheets. Check for red or rust stains on your bedding and your mattress. When you do find a bug that you suspect could be a bed bug, it’s best to consult a professional. Many other buggy creatures can look like bed bugs to an untrained eye.
While most often reported in homes, bed bugs travel far. Public places may not be as safe as you think. When you return from a trip there are measures you can take. These include methods to prevent spreading any hitchhikers from your luggage to the rest of your home.
Treatment Options
Chemical treatments are one way to treat a bed bug infestation. They are often used alongside other treatment options. Thermal heat bed bug treatment is well known as the most effective way to treat an infestation.
An entire treatment program will include heat treatments. Chemical sprays are often used with thermal treatments. These varied methods prevent reinfestations and target different stages in their life. Bed bug eggs are notoriously difficult to see and so are harder to treat with chemical pesticides alone.
Thermal treatments are not always used for the entirety of a room. Heat treatments used on a smaller level target individual items. Hot boxes can thermally treat items that are coming into the home or need to be treated several times.
Household dryers are also effective for killing bed bugs and their eggs within bedding, clothing, and other soft materials. Items for this method need to be safe for drying at high heat for at least 30 minutes.
How Do Thermal Heat Treatments Work?
Thermal heat treatments use high temperatures for extended periods to kill bed bugs and their eggs. Bed bugs can not survive when exposed to temperatures over 120 degrees Fahrenheit for over 90 minutes. This level of heat ensures that every bug in the home dies no matter the stage in the life cycle.
Professional exterminators use large heat generators with fans. This keeps the hot air flowing throughout the entire space that needs treatment. This keeps the temperature inside consistent so it is the most effective at eliminating bed bugs.
While only 90 minutes of heat treatment is needed to kill the bugs, most treatments last longer than this. Most heat treatments last between six and eight hours. This includes the time needed for the pest control team to set up and take down equipment. It also takes time for the heat in a room to reach the desired temperature.
Preparing for Thermal Treatment
If you have decided it’s time to heat treatment for bed bugs your professional pest control team will inform of the specific measures needed. You can imagine that there is some prep involved when raising the temperature within a home or apartment to over 120 degrees.
Remove flammable and valuable items from the home. Leave them for inspection so they don’t cause a reinfestation. Common items that need to be removed include candles, lighters, and some household food items. Removing houseplants is also recommended.
Some items can remain in plastic bags and left outside the home for a certain period. If sealed correctly any bed bugs left inside the bag should eventually starve to death. We have a complete checklist for preparing your home for thermal heat treatments.
It is recommended to remove items from walls as the fans used to distribute heat could cause items to fall off and be damaged. No residents or pets will be allowed in the home until the treatment is complete. Make sure you have a plan for the whole family to stay away as long as needed.
After the treatment, your home will remain hot for several hours afterwards. Take care with handles and doorknobs that may hold residual heat. Opening windows and doors can assist with airflow to normalize the temperature again. Heat treatments do not provide long-lasting effects. Careful monitoring and recurring inspections are important for preventing reinfestation.
Use Thermal Treatment for Effective Bed Bug Removal
Bed bugs are a nuisance that can stick around for years if not treated quickly. Make sure you contact a professional for inspection at the first warning sign of bed bugs. Thermal treatment for bed bugs is an efficient and simple way to rid yourself of the infestation before it spreads.
Thermal treatment can be the quickest and most cost-effective way to rid yourself of this common pest. Check out our thermal treatment services for more info on how we can help with your bed bug or other pest problems. More questions? Reach out to one of our friendly professionals today!
