How Can I Prevent Bed Bugs From Surviving Extermination?

Bed bugs are nasty and downright annoying! Waking up with scratchy welts and marks is no way to live. So, how can you prevent them from coming back into your life? Luckily, humans have created ways of eradicating them from our homes, businesses, and cars and preventing them from wreaking havoc on our lives. Some use chemicals, some use natural ingredients, and some are as simple as a dish of plastic that contains the bugs within. Of the many treatments, some guarantee results, but leave you scratching your head when you find another bug nibbling at your skin. Here are some treatment options, what makes them effective, and which option best fits your situation.

Over-the-Counter Treatments

There are several remedies for bed bugs that anyone can purchase in a hardware store, one option being bed bug insecticide spray. It works by using pesticides to exterminate bed bugs on contact. Beware when using any product that contains pesticides or insecticides, as they can be extremely dangerous to humans. These products are rigorously tested by the FDA to ensure maximum safety, however, they can still pose a threat to your health if not used correctly. When using a store bought bed bug treatment, wear the proper eye protection, gloves, and a mask for safe treatment. One problem with this method of bed bug extermination and prevention is that there is no guarantee that it will kill all of the bugs and eggs. The only way to check if they are all gone is to check for bed bug eggs, which are virtually undetectable to the untrained eye. This is only one of many potential risks and problems when attempting to prevent bed bugs on your own. When attempting to prevent bed bugs, be sure to cover all bases because if any bug or egg goes untreated you will quickly figure out that once again, you have a bed bug problem. This is why it takes weeks, months, and sometimes even years to fully eradicate the pests. Bed bugs are notoriously hard to get rid of, and it is for this reason that experts in the industry recommend that you leave the job to professionals. As experts often say, “don’t try this at home kids.”

Post-Treatment Prevention

You sought professional treatment for your bed bug infestation and they assured you that you’d never see another bed bug unless you go to a bed bug farm. This is all good and fine, but how can you keep them from coming back into your home, the professionals, that is. 

There are a few steps you can take to ensure that your space is bed bug free and stays that way. Step one, Make sure to throw your sheets in the washer about once a week. Step two, buy a mattress protector with a zipper. Bed bugs love hiding in box springs and mattresses. Another step to deter bed bugs from hanging out in your home is to vacuum often. 

Natural Remedies

Another option is to fill a squirt bottle with isopropyl alcohol. Alcohol is a great solution because it dries out the bugs and actually kills them, unlike the previously mentioned options. Baking powder can also be used in a similar way to dry the bugs out without the overwhelming stench of alcohol. Some herbal options include tea tree, lavender, peppermint, thyme, and lemongrass oils. All of these options may deter bed bugs from entering your home and spreading but the only proven option to keeping them out for good once you have an infestation is a professionally applied heat treatment.

Professional Bed Bug Treatment

When selecting professional treatment, you have a few options. The options of bed bug prevention are split into natural and chemical solutions. One of the chemical treatments is CimeXa. It is typically a powdery substance, mixed and dissolved in water. One drawback of CimeXa is that it cannot harm bed bug eggs, due to the fact that its toxic elements cannot penetrate the eggs outer layer. Another downside is that the spray simply cannot reach every possible area. This means that it will most certainly take a few treatments before your problem is taken care of. This professionally executed treatment is still dangerous for human exposure, so a mask and goggles are required. Because CimeXa is unsafe, it cannot be applied to bedding, furniture, or clothing, leaving a gap in bed bug extermination coverage that needs to be filled by a natural, human-safe option. This is where heat treatment can be utilized.

Heat Treatment 

One of the more common all-natural practices when attempting to exterminate bed bugs is heat treatment. The part about this treatment that is exclusive is that it is executed quickly, it kills bugs fast, and it is 100% effective. Heat treatment succeeds where other products fail, in that it kills eggs, nymphs, and fully grown bed bugs. 

Every single stage of bed bug life is affected by heat treatment, making it one of the most effective methods of bed bug extermination and prevention. With temperatures reaching upwards of 118°F, it takes about 90 minutes to kill all of the bugs but at 120℉, the pests are killed immediately. Many professionals turn up the heat even more, up to 145°F,  to fully ensure that no undetected bed bugs are still hiding out in your home. 

One of the only downsides of heat treatment is that if a diatomaceous earth (DE) treatment was used prior and the company did not clean it up properly before the heat, it can blow around and is extremely harmful if inhaled. The best part about treating bed bugs with heat is its chemical free, which means you can spend less time worrying about your home or business and more time doing what you do. 

Bed Bug Prevention Experts

Cleveland’s leading professionals in bed bug extermination and prevention are always on standby if you find your home or business under invasion. Bed Bug Barbeque uses heat treatment as a means to rid your space of any unwanted guests. Safe for anyone with respiratory problems, your home and all the items in it. Utilizing the safest and most effective treatment, Bed Bug Barbeque guarantees that your pest problem will get taken care of in a matter of 12 hours. If there is any inkling of doubt that there are still more bugs, Bed Bug Barbeque will come back to your location for a free reevaluation. If you are in need of an A+ consumer rated business to safely help you out with your bed bug problem, Bed Bug Barbeque is your solution.

To schedule a free inspection and estimate, give us a call at (216) 400-5330 or visit the website.