Nothing is creepier than the possibility that your bed may be infested with those tiny insects called bedbugs. Getting rid of bedbugs is no simple task, because you can bring them in from anywhere, at any time. Though there are a multitude of DIY bedbug removal tips to be found on the internet, none of this will ever be as effective as hiring an exterminator for bedbugs.
About Bedbugs Many people have no idea what bedbugs actually look like until they find one dead on their mattress or see a billboard with the silhouette. Bedbugs are reddish-brown bugs that grow 4-5mm long. They look more red when filled with blood. Yes, they only subsist on blood. In cooler climates, bedbugs can survive up to a year without a meal; and they are usually more active at night when the host is asleep.
Although bedbugs are mainly found in the mattress you sleep on, they will also hide in the seams, sheets, around furniture, behind baseboards, beneath electrical outlet plates, and even in picture frames. This is why hotel rooms are often plagued with bedbugs, because they have plenty of places to hide and get free travel to a new host’s home. A female bedbug can lay up to 1-5 eggs a day, up to 200-500 eggs in their lifetime. This may not seem like a lot—until they multiply.
Signs of Bedbugs Infestation
Signs of Infestation Sometimes you won’t know you’re infested. An exterminator can properly assess how bad the bedbug infestation is.
They will look at the following:
● Visibility. Exterminators will look for adult bedbugs in the usual places they lay dormant during the day.
● Case skins. As juvenile bedbugs grow, they shed their skin. This is usually the way an exterminator can tell whether or not you have a bedbug problem.
● Excrement. Those little black and brown dots you thought was sand? Think again. An exterminator can pinpoint these signs of defecation.
● Cream-colored eggs. These are usually in dark crevices.
● Bites. If you have itchy red welts on your skin, this is a sure sign you have bedbugs. But the previous steps must be taken.
Exterminating Bedbugs Though you may think removing the dirty linens from the room, bombing or replacing the mattress, and vacuuming is enough, it’s not. A trained exterminator will inspect for the signs listed above. Once they locate the evidence, the exterminator can offer ways to treat the infestation based on the level of infestation. Usually, these steps target both the adult bedbugs, eggs, and larvae all at once. This process will usually come will varying steps of cleaning, spraying, and seeking out any surviving bugs to remove.
Steam Treatment to Get Rid of Bed Bugs
For those who are plagued by bed bugs but would prefer a non-chemical method of treating your household, there is another option. Bed bugs are resilient, but they cannot withstand high heat. Steamers can reach a temperature of 121 degrees Celsius (250 degrees Fahrenheit) and beyond. Any bed bug or egg cluster that comes in contact with such high temperatures will be killed. The steam treatment generally consists of pre-steam vacuuming for a more effective cleansing. The steamer itself has a wide nozzle and a pressurized stream of heat that is held up around 2.5-5.0 cm above the surface and moves around 2.5 cm per second. Everything must be given adequate time to dry, as applying encasements afterwards could result in mold growth.
Afterwards, you have to wait a few days to see if the bedbugs return. If you wish to try a steam treatment for your household, be sure to do so before having a chemical treatment. The heat and moisture could cause an adverse reaction on the chemicals, releasing harmful toxins in the air. However, you can follow-up a steam treatment with an environmentally friendly bed bug spray.
Exterminators Do the Job Thoroughly
There is no home remedy that is a one and done deal. Any product or “method” that tries to sell you immediate relief from bedbugs is a waste of money and potentially harmful for your health. It is understandable that you may be desperate to rid yourself of the bedbug plight, but this is why exterminators of best for removing bedbugs. As mentioned above, exterminators will use what is called “integrated pest management,” a method that incorporates a number of tools and trick all at once to increase effectiveness and potency. An exterminator will indeed use chemical sprays to get into the places where bedbugs dwell, but they will thoroughly investigate to find those places and give you the how-to to prevent a recurrence. This is why exterminators are the best–because they know what to look for and exactly how to tackle bedbugs head-on, at every life stage.