Understanding Bed Bug Treatment

It’s two in the morning, and I finally find a hotel with a vacancy. After finishing a 12-hour mud race, I only want a hot shower and a long rest. But as I step into the shower, I see something that makes my stomach drop—a bed bug. A closer look confirms my worst fear. As a pest professional, I know exactly what to do: capture the bug, get a refund, and sleep in my car.

But not everyone has that knowledge. If you’re searching for how to get rid of bed bugs fast, you’re not alone. Quick and effective treatment requires a combination of professional intervention and preventive measures. To make sure you’re ready, let’s dive into what it takes to get rid of bed bugs for good.

The Target

The first part of understanding bed bug treatment is understanding the target. Bed bugs are:

• Small in size (think watermelon seed for adults), but visible
• Master hitchhikers. They can make their way from building A to your home via shoe tread, suitcase seems, coat pocket, etc.
• Gradual metamorphosis developers. They go from egg to nymph (nymphal stages referred to as instars), to adult.
• Master adapters. They have shown great ability to develop resistance to chemicals
• Traumatic inception reproducers. The female is stabbed in the abdomen by the male’s organ, so she is likely to run off and find a place to hide and protect herself. This can lead to bed bugs spreading in unpredictable ways and areas.

Inspections

The first part of any bed bug treatment is a solid inspection. Inspectors include both the human and canine variety. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. The main point is to confirm the presence of bed bugs. This may be finding an adult or nymph, locating egg deposits, or finding bed bug fecal matter.

Oftentimes, the fecal matter will tell the story of the paths traveled and the congregation centers. A good inspection will be able to give an idea as to what needs discarded, what needs treated, and what process will be most effective.

Preparation

Between the inspection and the treatment, the pest professional should advise you on proper preparation. This will typically be an extensive list but will be your guide in helping the treatment be as successful as possible. It typically includes bagging and laundering all clothing possible ensuring a thorough drying on high heat. Other things will include moving treatment sensitive items such as medications, crayons, paintings, etc. to either the fridge or a predetermined inspection area.

Application methods

There are multiple ways to treat bed bugs. Oftentimes, it is best to use multiple methods in combination to ensure success on the first attempt.

Cold

Bed bugs are susceptible to death in all stages at extreme temperatures. This doesn’t mean the best plan is to open all the windows and doors and turn the heat off in a Minnesota winter. You would likely end up with burst pipes, water damage, and still, have bed bugs. This method is typically done on a large scale with cryogenic freezing. This method requires a special applicator to apply the cold in a way that will penetrate into mattresses, wall voids, and other cracks and crevices where bed bugs may be hiding out.

Chemical

There are many products available for killing bed bugs. It is important to follow label instructions carefully for both safety and legal reasons. The extensiveness of a chemical application will depend on both the level of activity as well as if it includes other treatment methods. The idea is to get the product as close to the bed bugs paths and hiding places as possible without having regular human exposure to the product. Chemical application tools include compressed sprayers, aerosol applicators, foggers, etc.

How Hot To Kill Bed Bugs

Many people wonder how hot to kill bed bugs. The key temperature is at least 120° F, held for 90 minutes to make sure all bed bugs are gone. Heat treatments can be done in small ways or on a big scale.

Small treatments mean heating items like books, clothes (using a dryer), or furniture to a deadly temperature for bed bugs. Big treatments involve heating entire rooms or buildings to kill bed bugs hiding in walls, floors, and furniture. These treatments can take all day or even longer, but when combined with other pest control methods, they can wipe out big infestations quickly.

Mechanical

Mechanical controls involve physical alterations that combat bed bugs such as:

• Pit Falls. small traps that can be placed under bed legs to stop bugs from being able to travel up onto the bed from the ground.
• Garbage. Some items either contain too large of a population or too much fecal matter to keep. It is important to dispose of these items in a way that will not spread bugs to other dwellings.
• Encasements. Bed bug proof encasements made for box springs, mattresses, couches, etc. that stop bugs from going in or out.

Is Your Mattress a Zombie? Why Bed Bugs Keep Coming Back

Some bed bugs don’t fully die after treatment—they turn into zombie mattress bugs! This happens when heat, chemicals, or freezing damage them so much that they can’t bite or lay eggs anymore. They might still move around, which can be scary, but they aren’t a real threat. If you see these zombie mattress bugs after treatment, don’t panic! It’s important to check for more treatment before taking action.

Consult With Rove Pest Control

Whether you suspect or know bed bugs need resolving, don’t hesitate to reach out to our bed bug specialists at Rove Pest Control. Understanding bed bug control is simplified with an expert guide. We can review your specific situation and help you understand the pieces that are pertinent to you and your home. Keep it simple. Call or contact us online so we take care of the bugs and so you can sleep tight and legitimately not let the bed bugs bite.