Bed Bug Heat Treatments Compared To Other Methods
There are many ways to kill a bed bug, and many options for stomping out an infestation. But not all bed bug treatments are created equal. These are highly resourceful and resilient pests. Of all the pest that professional technicians eradicate, bed bugs are commonly reported as the most difficult. Why? Because these little blood-eating pests have been living exclusively with humans for centuries. They’re really good at avoiding detection, and protecting themselves from all of the many ways we try to exterminate them. Here are some common treatment methods for bed bugs and why a heat treatment works better to destroy these clever and robust bugs.
Bug Bomb
When there are bugs crawling everywhere, one of the first things people try is a bug bomb. These are aerosol pesticides that fill rooms with toxic chemicals in the hopes of destroying all of the bugs present. But, this option won’t get rid of a bed bug infestation. Bed bugs don’t crawl out in the open unless they are feeding. And, they don’t usually come out to feed unless they sense an increase in CO2 emissions. So, a bug bomb is likely to kill only a few bed bugs, if any. It won’t get deep into mattresses, couch and chair cushions, and other items they are infesting.
A heat treatment doesn’t require these bugs to come out from their hiding places. Heat will kill bed bugs where they are hiding. It radiates deep into mattresses, cushions, bed boards, and electronics. Yes. Bed bugs can infest electronics. They don’t just live in beds.
Mattress and Pillow Encasements
As bed bug treatment options go, this is a fairly good one. If an infestation is small, and located inside a mattress or pillow, an encasement may just solve the problem. But, this is seldom the case. And, all it takes is one female bug, or a batch of eggs, for a new infestation to rise up.
A heat treatment will eradicate bugs inside and outside of mattresses and pillows. Ensuring that all bugs and their eggs are destroyed.
Bed Bug Traps
There are all kinds of traps that will catch bed bugs. Some are sticky and hold bed bugs in place when they accidentally crawl on them. Others actively lure bed bugs in by emitting CO2, which bed bugs are attracted to. But these methods don’t get rid of a bed bug infestation. They attack the symptom, not the problem. Sure, traps that are set under the legs of your bed and in strategic places where bed bugs can climb up onto your bed–when used along with mattress and pillow encasements–can prevent bites. But, even with all of these measures in place, bed bugs can still infest a home and get a blood meal. If these pests need to, they can feed on humans when they are fully awake–or drop down from the ceiling onto a bed that has every possible bed bug deterrent in place.
A heat treatment doesn’t treat the symptom. It gets to the root of the problem. Heat radiates through carpets, in behind wall boards, and even into wall voids. It doesn’t try to lure these elusive bugs out. It kills them where they are.
Poisons
There are many products that can kill bed bugs if they are sprayed, sprinkled, or applied to floors. Not only are these ineffective, they can be toxic to pets, children, and even adults. There are three behavior patterns bed bugs have that make poisons useless for eradicating them. They don’t feed at the same time. They are wired to avoid anything that is perceived as a threat. And they can crawl deep into walls and wait months without a blood meal. So, this method can make it seem as if it was successful, when it actually wasn’t.
A heat treatment treats an entire structure. There is no place for the bugs to hide and wait.
Chemical Treatments vs Heat Treatments
The use of EPA approved pesticides by a certified pest professional can be effective for exterminating bed bugs, and that is why many pest control companies use these chemicals. But, studies have shown that bed bugs can develop a resistance to pesticides and, through a process of adaptation, produce a cuticle (outer skin) that can protect them from being terminated by these products.
A heat treatment works to eradicate all bed bugs. Even bed bugs that have developed a resistance to pesticides.
If you have an infestation of bed bugs, and you live in our Kansas service area, you can trust Schendel Pest Services to safely and effectively take care of your problem. We use heat to destroy these pests, and K-9 Bed Bug Inspectors to make sure all the bugs are gone. Don’t take chances with other treatment methods. Get safe, eco-friendly and complete bed bug extermination with a bed bug heat treatment from Schendel Pest Services.
