Help me figure out how to safely treat my home with a 1 year old

(Eastern Pennsylvania)

I need help treating for bedbugs with a young toddler in the home. So I thought we successfully eradicated bedbugs from what little we kept when we moved, as we had no bites or sightings in over 6 months but they were either dormant or came back from an adjoining neighbors house.

Now I have a problem, and dealing with it is harder now because I have a 1 year old. What would be the most effective way to kill them without the risk of poisoning my daughter because she puts everything in her mouth! I've got hot shot with an egg killing formula but I use that sparingly for fear that you will find a spot that's still damp and will get it in her mouth. I got a non-toxic cedar based spray that works wonders if you spray it on a live bug but I can't seem to find all of them... I think I've taken care of it and then I wind up bit to hell again..

I'm thinking maybe having an exterminator do a heat treatment might be our best bet but not sure how much that's going to cost and if we can afford it or how long I have to be out of the house and what I need to remove from the house to prevent it being damaged by the Heat. We don't have anywhere else to stay if I have to leave for a whole day. Any thoughts any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Editor Response

Hi,

Sorry to hear the bed bugs are back. With a toddler in the home, you're right to lean on methods that don't need insecticides near her:

• Dry her bedding, clothes and stuffed animals on high heat for at least 30 minutes.
• Encase the mattresses and box springs, and put interceptor traps under the bed and crib legs.
• Steam seams and furniture joints, and vacuum often, then seal and throw out the bag outdoors.
• If you use a spray, follow the label, treat only cracks and seams she can't reach, and keep her out of the room until it's completely dry.

Professional heat treatment is a good choice for families with small children because it uses no insecticides. It usually takes a single day, and you'll need to be out of the home while it runs. Your company will give you a list of things to remove, such as heat-sensitive items and medicines. Costs vary by home size; Angi estimates heat treatment at about $1 to $3 per square foot.

Because the bugs may have come from a neighbor, ask your landlord or building manager to have the units around you inspected too.

See natural bed bug remedies rated by the evidence and how to choose a bed bug exterminator. For free quotes from local exterminators, call 1-877-673-2704 for free quotes from local bed bug exterminators (we may be paid when you call).