How To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs

There is a lot of advice on the internet. Some of it is pretty helpful. But, when it comes to bed bugs, even the best advice falls short. Why? Because even pest control measures that work to get rid of bed bugs can fail to exterminate these bugs if they are not administered in the right way. So, rather than give you another how-to page on how to get rid of bed bugs, we are going to take a look at this problem from another angle.

Do Bed Bug Traps Work To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs?

There are a lot of traps on the market that are designed to capture and kill bed bugs. Some of them simply trap the bugs with a sticky surface. Others are scientifically engineered to draw bed bugs in with pheromones or CO² emissions. These are amazing products but do nothing to get rid of a bed bug infestation. Killing and trapping bed bugs are easy. You may even kill or trap enough bed bugs to arrest your bed bug issue. It happens quite a bit. That is why there are so many reviews that say, "Wow! Your product worked!" The problem is, it only seemed like it worked. Bed bugs have a natural defense mechanism that allows them to survive in hostile environments. If bed bugs go out to feed and only a few return, the other bed bugs will take notice. This can cause them to go into a state of dormancy. You may think those bugs are gone, but they're just waiting until the danger passes. Some pest control companies use traps as one option in an arsenal of tools to get rid of bed bugs. In this way they are helpful. But, alone, they will not get rid of a bed bug infestation completely.

Does Heat Get Rid Of Bed Bugs?

Sure. Heat is great for getting rid of bed bugs. In the pest control industry as a whole, heat remediation is one of the most respected protocols for getting rid of bed bugs. But it isn't easy to raise the temperature of a structure to above 115 degrees Fahrenheit, and maintain that temperature. It requires self-regulating, temperature-controlled heating units, and heat sensors placed appropriately throughout a structure. It requires industrial fans that are strategically placed to move heat to where it needs to be. If the heat isn't dispersed evenly, bed bugs can escape the treatment. Implementing a heat remediation treatment requires training and experience for it to be done in an effective, and safe, way.

Can I Get Rid Of Bed Bugs With Pesticides?

Sure. You can get rid of a bed bug infestation with pesticides. But, not only can pesticides cause bed bugs to hide and go dormant for a time, they may be ineffective in another way. Studies have shown that bed bugs can develop pesticide-resistant skin when exposed to harmful pesticides. If you are trying to get rid of bed bugs that are already resistant to the pesticides you're using, you'll not affect those bugs at all. If you manage to kill only some of the bed bugs in your structure with pesticides, you may create pesticide-resistant bugs that will continue to torment you. Only an educated pest technician knows how to apply a chemical treatment in a way that ensures eradication. They use K-9 bed bug inspectors or advanced inspection techniques to make sure the chemicals did their job, and do follow-up treatments when necessary.

Can I Get Rid Of Bed Bugs Using Mattress And Box Spring Encasements?

Not usually. While mattress and box spring encasements are a useful tool, bed bugs live in more than just beds. These may be used by a pest technician as part of a target protocol when an infestation is small and isolated.

Can I Throw Out My Furniture To Get Rid Of A Bed Bug Infestation?

A surprising number of people resort to this as the first response to bed bugs. Sadly, this is only likely to spread your infestation to someone else who sees your discarded items and brings them back to their home. When bed bugs get into a home, it is because they were brought in. Often, the one who brings them in is you. If you got these bugs on vacation, there may be bed bugs or bed bug eggs, still in your luggage or in the area where you stored your luggage. There could also be eggs in another part of your home, besides the furniture you found them on. And, all it takes is one batch of unattended eggs to start a new infestation.