Bed Bugs Pest Control
"Bed bugs pest control can be achieved through the combination of several chemical, organic and non-chemical methods. This includes the use of insecticides, dusts, carbon dioxide and other approaches such as heat. Newer methods are constantly being developed given the growing number of infestations around the world."
There are many products available to help control bed bug infestations. If you are planning to do it yourself, then a set of products such as a spray, dust, bed and box spring covers and a steamer should take care of smaller infestations. The advantage of calling a pest control professional is that they have access to a broader range of insecticides and other non-chemical approaches such as the use of heat. Kits can cost from $100 - $200.
A bedbug extermination expert can cost up to $500 for an initial inspection and quote (particularly if a dog is used) and then $500 to $1000+ for the bed bug s pest control treatment itself. We suggest starting with an exterminator as they can be a source of advice and education, even if you decide to do it yourself. If you do call an expert, we suggest the following:
- Check the Service Magic Network: Service Magic (phone 877-233-1145) is a network of local pre-screened pest control companies. They will provide 4 free quotes to each person contacting the network either on line or via phone.
- Search our Bed Bug Pest Control Database: We have a free on line database of thousands of bed bug pest control experts. Just enter your zip code and click. You can search our bed bug exterminator listings here.
Types of Bed Bugs Pest Control
As mentioned, there are several types of products and approaches you can use to attack a bed bugs pest control problem.
Cleaning:
Inspecting and cleaning every surface in the room is a good start. Recent studies show that as many as 80% of the pests can be found on or near the bed. To start try and vacuum all surfaces and use a crevice tool to vacuum seams and tight places. Dispose of the vacuum bag when done (outside of course). Inspect the vacuum to make sure all the bugs went into the bag.
Don't be afraid to wipe up bugs with a rag. You'll be able to kill bugs you pick up just by squeezing them inside the rag.
Dispose of any items in the room where bugs can hide. Objects
next to the bed, particularly magazines and newspapers should be thrown
out. Bag before carrying from the room to avoid dropping any bugs.
Organic Bed Bug
Pest
Control:
Organic Bed Bug Spray Products
There are several products
on the market that use organic ingredients
to "knock down" the bed bug population. In general organic or
natural bed bug spray products kill bed bugs on contact using
plant extracts such as Euginia Carophylla, Mentha Piperita, and Sodium
Lauryl Sulphate from Coconut Extract. Examples of popular
organic sprays are Bed
Bug Patrol and All
Stop.
Organic Bed Bug Dust
Bed bug organic sprays,
while providing an immediate killing effect,
are less likely to provide a residual effect, so they are often used in
combination with another organic product, bed bug dust (also
called fossil
dust and diatomaceous
earth). These products are
all natural and are mined out of the earth from ground up animal
fossils. The fine dust sticks to the outer shell of bed bugs,
eventually penetrating the shell and killing the bed bug.
Silica dust is another dust product that will also work.
Since dust products rely on the bed bug crossing through a
dust field, it needs to be thinly applied in cracks and crevices with
a duster.
Wear a mask when applying to avoid breathing in the dust.
The added advantage of bed bug dust is that it will have a
long residual effect if left undisturbed. Also note that some
bed bug dust products have insecticides mixed into the dust.
Buy Mattress Covers made for bed bugs pest control:
Since most bugs are found near the mattress and box spring, sealing both in a zippered bed bug proof cover will trap any bugs you miss. Covers are available in bed bug kits or a cover can be purchased from Amazon. Economy bed bug mattress covers and bed bug box spring covers are available from WalMart.
Wash Linens and Blankets:
All blankets should be removed from beds and washed in hot
water and then placed into a dryer on a high heat setting. When
removing clothes from a room, be sure to bag before removal to avoid
dropping bugs throughout the house. A normal hot water wash cycle
followed by 30 minutes in a dryer will kill all bed bugs and
eggs. A special detergent is not needed.
Items that cannot be washed, but that can withstand the dryer, should
be placed in a dryer at high heat for 30 minutes. Sneakers
are a good example.
Insecticide Products for Bed Bugs Pest Control:
These are some of the most popular pesticide ingredients for bed bugs pest control. See our complete guide to bed bug pesticides.
- Pyrethoids (pyrethrin) -
These products kill the bed bugs when the bug comes in contact with the
poison. These products are made from chrysanthemum flowers
(pyrethoids). They are not always effective since they can work as an
insect repellent, so instead of the bed bugs entering the area treated,
they might avoid it. There has also been reports of bed bugs developing
a resistance to this product. For most problems, using pyrethoids will
be an effective method when deciding how
to kill bed bugs. Products that contain pyrethrin usually
come in the form of a pump or aerosol spray (565 Plus XLO, Bedlam, Cb
80 Extra brand).
Sterifab is widely considered to be the best mattress safe knock down spray for bed bugs pest control. A knock down spray is ideal for killing bed bugs and bed bug eggs on contact. It uses a synthetic pyrethroid combined with alcohol.
J.T. Eaton (red label) is also a popular "knock down" product formulated using pyrethrum in an oil base. It is widely popular as a spray among both home owners and professionals. They recommend using this product in conjunction with their "blue label" spray which provides residual protection for up to 16 weeks. Both bed bugs pest control products are available from Bed Bug Supply.
Bedlam is one of the most popular residual sprays in this category for bed bugs pest control. It is water based and combines multiple insecticides to create a strong residual effect that will kill bed bugs for several weeks. It is used along baseboards, and for bed bug treatment in cracks, crevices and furniture (test in an out of the way area to avoid staining).
Applying Bedlam Bedbug Spray to Baseboard
- Chlorfenapry: The insecticide
chlorfenapry is one of the best choices for a bed bugs pest control
residual spray.
Chlorfenapry is a newer insecticide that doesn't
have repellent
properties. It will kill both bed bugs and bed bug eggs on
contact. This type of product comes in a liquid and aerosol
form.
For home and apartment owners, Phantom
is the most popular chlorfenapry brand in its aerosol form.
This product is used with a knock down such as Sterifab
since it takes up to seven days to fully work.
- IGR (Insect Growth Regulators): These types of products interfere with the bed bugs reproduction. They work slowly by making sure that the bed bugs you have cannot reproduce. Because of this, you often see an IGR mixed into other types of products. Gentrol is a popular IGR product.
Note that not every bed bugs pest control product is mattress safe. Examples of products that cannot be used of mattresses include Demand, Dragnet, Talstar One, Onslaught and Gentrol. Phantom is labeled for use on seams only. The best choice for a single product that is also mattress safe is Sterifab.
Heat and Steam for Killing BedBugs:
Bed bug eggs are resistant to some bedbug sprays and will not be picked up by a vacuum since they are bound to surfaces with a cement like substance. Heat is often used along with insecticides as an effective way to kill bed bugs and bed bug eggs.
-
Hand Steamer for Bed Bugs
A hand held steamer can be used for bed bugs pest control to heat the eggs/bed bugs and kill them. Preference is for more of a professional model such as the Vapamore, however an economy model such as the SteamFast will get the job done.
If you have a carpet you should steam clean it to kill any bed bugs or bed bug eggs attached to the surface. Consider adding a disinfectant to the steamer's water to kill any eggs in the carpet.
If you believe that a suitcase has bed bugs, you want to starve them out. Park your car in the sun and leave the suitcase in the trunk for a day or use a Packtite as indicated below. -
Portable Home Heat Chamber
Many savvy travelers are purchasing heat units for the home called a PackTite. These are large foldable vinyl cases that are slightly larger than a suitcase. The suitcase is placed into the unit, and heated to the required 120F. If you live in an area with a bed bug problem, these units can be used to heat anything brought into the house.
-
Heat Fumigation and Treatment of Bed Bugs
Bed bug exterminators are increasingly using heat fumigation for bed bugs pest control. Heat treatment involves the use of special equipment which super heats a room or entire building to kill bed bugs and eggs.
This "Temp-Air" system works through a process called thermal remediation. It involves sealing a room, floor or building and then super heating the area to approximately 120F - 140F for several hours. The heat permeates all walls and items in the building killing all bed bugs and eggs. It is highly effective, but costly given the equipment and labor involved. Total treatment time from start to finish is 6 to 8 hours. The only drawback might be bed bugs that are hiding in insulated walls, although the manufacturers of this system believe that this is not a problem. At minimum, heat can be used in conjunction with other methods. Fans are used to move the heat throug the building and sensors detect when the optimal temperature is reached.
A list of bed bugs pest control service providers that use bed bug heat remediation can be found here.
The use of heat in a sealed chamber is also the best way to treat furniture such as a couch or sofa and other household items that are thoroughly infested. Many pest control companies have either a heat chamber in a remote building, or on the back of a truck that can be used to treat an item.
Picture of Bed Bugs in Mattress
Other Approaches to Bed Bugs Pest Control
Fogs or Bombing: A fog of insecticide is used to kill large bed bug infestations. The problem with this approach is that fogs have been shown not to enter smaller cracks in the room, thereby missing some bugs. The bed bug bombs also have been known to disperse bed bugs, only to have them return later. This approach might be used in conjunction with others. Treatments last for a few hours. Consumers or professionals can use this approach to treat a single room or more.
Fumigation: Bed Bug fumigation is similar to fogging, but is more intense and lasts for 1 day. A high dose of insecticide is used to not only kill bed bugs, but the eggs as well. Vikane is one brand commonly used. This approach requires have a pest control license and special equipment. All bed bugs will be killed with this approach and is used to rid an entire building of pests. The advantage of fumigation is that it is effective, while negatives include cost and having to leave home. Note encased plastic mattresses cannot be fumigated. Another fumigation approach is to place belongings into a container or truck which is then fumigated to ensure that all bed bugs are killed, such as a mattress.
Cold Treatment of Bed Bugs:
Another alternative used by bed bugs pest control professionals is to
"freeze" bed bugs. Some firms freeze the bugs using CO2. The
advantages of a freezing process is that it is chemical free and can be
used to treat electronics.
According to Health Canada, Bed bugs and bed bug eggs are killed after
3 days at freezing temperatures. If you live in a cold
climate, complete bed bugs pest control can be achieved by leaving
items outdoors.
Biosensory Nightwatch Bed Bug Trap: This product simulates the presence of a human host to lure the bed bugs out of hiding into a trap. The product came out in November 2008 and is being tested by some professionals. As further research on this type of bed bugs pest control becomes available we will update this page. More information on bed bug traps is available here.
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