Property owners have some options when it comes to getting rid of bed bugs. However, sometimes it can get confusing when deciding the option that is suitable for your situation. This post explores the two most common methods used by pest management companies for killing bed bugs and what makes one a better choice than the other:
Thermal Treatments
PestPro Thermal Bed Bug Heaters are used by pest management professionals to increase the temperature in your home to kill bed bugs. These bugs and their eggs die within 90 minutes at 118 degrees F or immediate at 122 degrees F. During the treatment, the room’s air temperature is often between 135 F and 145 F. The professional will put remote thermometers throughout your house to ensure the right temperature is reached. Heat treatment for bed bugs often takes between 6 and 8 hours, depending on the area’s condition.
During the treatment, all heat-sensitive items and pets must be removed from the area being treated. You need to discuss this with your pest control team because anything not treated with heated should not be treated in another way. The best thing about this treatment is that it doesn’t give any residual effects and your house can have another reinfection if you don’t take proper preventive steps.
Chemical Treatments
Insecticide treatments performed correctly by pest control experts can effectively control bed bugs in your home. Professionals use different kinds of insecticides to achieve the best results. These include a fast-acting, contact insecticide for use in surfaces that people frequently touch, a residual insecticide for inside furniture and the underside of surfaces people touch, and a dust insecticide for electrical outlets and baseboards.
Pest management professionals may provide other services like container heat treatments freezing infested items, or steam application. Often, items treated with these methods don’t require insecticide treatment.
Experts strongly recommend against performing an insecticide treatment for bed bugs on your own. Controlling bed bugs with these toxic chemicals is time-consuming and challenging which requires expertise and a license.
Why Not Use Chemicals
For many years, chemicals have been used for treating insect issues. But during those years, inspect populations have become more immune to pesticides. A lot of these chemicals are harmful to humans and have adverse effects on the environment. Also, chemicals do not necessarily wipe out a bed bug infestation with one application. You may have to remove or even destroy bedding and mattresses, causing extra expense. However, heat treatment will kill adults, nymphs, and eggs at the same time. This is possible without having to replace mattresses and bedding or worrying about family members and pets getting sick or experiencing adverse reactions.
