If you have a bed bug problem, it’s important to take action right away. It’s always recommended that you contact a professional pest control company for help. This will help to ensure your bed bug problem is eliminated completely. Not only will an expert pest control company, like us here at The Pest Master, have the tools and expertise needed to get rid of bed bugs, but they’ll also be able to impart advice to ensure the problem is less likely to reoccur.
Something that will happen when you employ a professional pest control company for bed bug treatment near you is something called a bed bug survey. A pest control technician will thoroughly search for evidence of bed bugs. They will start in the bedroom, looking closely at: the bed frame, areas around the bed (like the floor), the mattress, the headboard and the bedside tables or drawers. Rest assured that they will leave no stone unturned. Once the infestation is confirmed then an effective treatment can be administered. The treatment may consist of many different things, including: a pesticide spray, steam treatment, fumigation and use of a powder. After the treatment, it’s important to note that you should not wash or vacuum your carpets or floors for at least a fortnight. The reason for this being that the eggs that were laid and any nymphs that might still be present could still be going through the life cycle stages. The residual insecticide will continue to kill them, however, so if you proceed to clean your flooring, you’ll be preventing the treatment from being executed completely.
Despite being challenging to get rid of a bed bug infestation, there are steps you can take to reduce the likelihood of you experiencing it in your home: before staying somewhere new, thoroughly check the property for signs of bed bugs; look closely at the edges of the mattress and the headboard; avoid setting your suitcases down directly on the bed or furniture, as this gives the bed bugs the perfect opportunity to infest the rest of your belongings; if you’re looking to purchase second-hand or pre-loved furniture, make sure to meticulously inspect it before bringing it into your home; regular vacuuming and making sure you’re washing your bedding frequently can also help to prevent a bed bug problem.
If you do come across a bed bug infestation and are looking for ways to get rid of them while you wait for a professional pest controller to help, there are a few things you can try: wash everything on a hot temperature programme (at least 60°C) and tumble dry them on a hot setting for around half an hour or so. These methods can help to temporarily eliminate the bugs and their eggs.
What kills bed bugs? What doesn’t work killing bed bugs? Can I treat bed bugs at home?
- Heat treatments
- Steam
- Pesticides
Steam treatment is particularly safe because it is non-toxic. Steam can reach temperatures of as high as 180°C, and so it has the ability to eliminate all life stages of bed bugs in a flash. The tool we use comes with a specially heated hose, head and nozzle. This makes it far quicker, easier and more effective when it comes to accessing even the most hard-to-reach corners and spaces around your property.
It’s important to note that vacuuming your mattress alone isn’t enough to get rid of bed bugs, nor is using a UV light. For a start, UV light won’t harm or kill bed bugs, but it will help you to pinpoint their exact location. Bed bugs multiply quickly, and so it won’t take long for you to become overrun with them. As such, using a vacuum cleaner won’t solve the problem. In fact, vacuuming them up could make the issue even worse. This is because you might inadvertently move them to other rooms around your home.
Attempting to treat a bed bug infestation at home with amateur pesticides and DIY treatments isn’t the most effective way to tackle a bed bug infestation. That, together with a lack of specialist knowledge about the creatures could cause you to create an even bigger bed bug problem. As such, you should always look to to rely on a trained professional, because we have all of the necessary expertise and knowledge, together with complete access to professional-grade products and specialist equipment.
