Bed bugs are resilient pests that can quickly turn your home or business into an uncomfortable environment. Effective bed bug control requires professional expertise and prevention techniques. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore proven methods to manage bed bug infestations and prevent their return.
Bed bugs, scientifically known as Cimex lectularius, are small, reddish-brown insects that feed on human blood. They are nocturnal pests, hiding during the day and emerging at night for a blood meal. Controlling these pests is crucial because their bites can cause discomfort, allergic reactions, and psychological distress.
Bed bugs are expert hiders, seeking refuge in:
A single female bed bug can lay hundreds of eggs in her lifetime. These eggs hatch in about 6-10 days, and the nymphs mature into adults within five weeks under favorable conditions. Without prompt intervention, bed bug populations can grow exponentially, making early detection and control critical.
Professional treatments are often the most reliable way to eliminate bed bugs. Our bed bug treatment ranges from conventional solutions to state-of-the-art heat treatments. Your Ehrlich representative will review and tailor a solution that would best fit your situation. Our bed bug treatment methods include:
Conventional material applications remain our primary and most common approach for the removal of bed bugs. Several product formulations, including liquids, dusts, and aerosols are typically required to provide a thorough bed bug service due to the varying types of surfaces, materials, and circumstances encountered.
Bed bug conventional treatment usually begins at the focal point of the infestation which is, in most cases, the bed in an infested room. This will be followed by careful treatment of all items in the vicinity; including baseboards, floor and wall junctions, cracks in the walls and floors, wall-mounted items and relevant structural voids. Tack strips under carpets and wall voids behind electrical outlets and switches will be treated in areas where activity has been observed or when controlling heavy infestation. The intent is to treat every possible hiding place to ensure bed bugs - at all stages of their life cycle - are completely eliminated.
Bed bug fumigation may be an option in a few select situations. Structural fumigation involves tenting your property and releasing fumigant gas to permeate every inch of the structure, including walls and under floors. These materials penetrate all items within the fumigated space and can kill all stages of bed bugs present during the exposure period.
During the bed bug fumigation treatment, all tenants, pets, and plants will need to be evacuated for several days. Please note that bed bug fumigation is typically used for stand-alone buildings and may not be available in all service areas. Contact us to inquire about availability.
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Heat treatments can be performed as a chemical-free control method and are widely regarded as one of the most effective solutions for bed bugs. Portable heaters are used to gradually heat the ambient air within residences to temperatures above 122°F while the area is monitored by sensors and infrared technology. These high temperatures are then held for a period of time sufficient to thoroughly eliminate bed bugs in a single treatment.
Heat treatment can be an environmentally friendly and low-risk option for customers (and their pets) due to the minimal use of pesticides. The service can be completed in just one day rather than over the course of a few weeks, and it’s effective against all bed bug life stages. It minimizes disruption and replacement costs as affected areas, furniture, and upholstered items can be used directly after the treatment with complete peace of mind.
Contact your local Ehrlich office at 800-837-5520 or fill in the online form to find out if heat treatment is available in your area.
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High temperatures are lethal to most insects provided they cannot quickly escape to a cooler location. The temperatures produced by portable steam units are more than sufficient to kill bed bugs and their eggs upon contact. Steam remediation allows us to treat all surfaces of mattresses, box springs, and upholstered furniture.
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The IPM approach employed by Ehrlich involves expert inspection, bed bug treatment, and ongoing monitoring and prevention strategies. This holistic method reduces bed bug populations while minimizing environmental impact.
For minor infestations, DIY bed bug treatment methods can help manage the problem. These techniques often involve a mix of mechanical, thermal, and natural remedies.
Regular vacuuming can remove bed bugs, eggs, and debris from carpets, upholstered furniture, and crevices. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter and dispose of the vacuum bag in a sealed plastic bag immediately after use. Decluttering eliminates potential hiding places, making it harder for bed bugs to spread.
Wash all infested items, such as bed linens, curtains, and clothing, in hot water and dry them on high heat. Bed bugs cannot survive exposure to temperatures above 120°F, making this a simple and effective method.
Diatomaceous earth is a natural, nonchemical powder that dehydrates bed bugs upon contact. Apply it around baseboards, bed frames, and other areas where bed bugs are likely to travel.
Other desiccants, such as silica gel, can also be effective, but care should be taken to avoid inhalation.
Bed bug traps and monitors, such as interceptor cups, can help detect and isolate bed bugs. Place these under bed legs or other furniture to monitor bed bug activity and prevent them from climbing up.
A handheld steamer can deliver high-temperature steam to infested areas, killing bed bugs in crevices, seams, and other hiding places. This method is particularly effective for upholstered furniture, mattresses, and box springs.
After eliminating bed bugs, prevention is essential to keep them from coming back.
Inspect common harborage areas regularly, including:
Mattress encasements and impregnated liners can both be useful tools when it comes to bed bugs. These are added accessories for bed bug control and should not be used as a stand-alone treatment method.
Encasing your mattress in a high-quality bed bug mattress cover is a good preventative measure for keeping bed bugs out of your box spring and mattress. Mattress encasements eliminate bed bug entry and exit points and remove potential hiding places. The benefits of bed bug mattress encasements include:
An impregnated liner is a specially-treated thin, polyester fabric that installs over your box spring or mattress, similar to a fitted sheet. Impregnated liners can aid in the remediation and prevention of bed bug infestations. However, they are not a stand-alone solution for bed bugs and are recommended to be used in conjunction with a corrective bed bug service. The benefits of impregnated liners include:
Inspect your home periodically for signs of bed bugs, such as reddish stains, fecal spots, or shed exoskeletons. Seal cracks and crevices to eliminate potential hiding places and vacuum regularly to remove stray bugs.
Home remedies for bed bugs can be effective for mild infestations when combined with diligence and persistence. However, severe infestations normally require professional intervention.
Our expert bed bug exterminators have access to advanced tools, such as heat treatment and specialized chemicals, which can provide faster and more thorough results. If DIY methods fail to eliminate the infestation, contacting a pest control company is the best course of action.
Our bed bug treatment programs are the best way to take action against a bed bug infestation. Ehrlich specialists are extensively trained, skilled, and experienced professionals. They understand the habits of bed bugs and use their knowledge to choose the correct control methods and materials to develop an effective management program. For bed bug prevention, Ehrlich also offers tailored strategies to ensure you don't face recurring problems.
Interested in our bed bug treatments? Call Ehrlich at 1-800-837-5520 or fill out our online form to schedule your bed bug inspection today.
You should consider a proactive approach to bed bug control if your business offers accommodation or provides transportation. These business environments are considered potential sources for harboring and spreading bed bugs:
With such a range of infestation sources, it is almost impossible to prevent bed bugs from entering your business. A bed bug introduction can spread very quickly and, if left uncontrolled, could put your business in jeopardy of loss of revenue, reputation or even forced closure.
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