Bed bugs are tiny, resilient pests that reproduce quickly. A professional bed bug exterminator will have a strategy in place from the beginning to get rid of them as fast as possible. This will likely involve both chemical and heat treatment. In most cases, a bed bug infestation requires multiple treatments to be effective. The best way to prevent future infestations is to be proactive and clear up clutter. Keeping your home free of books, magazines, clothes, and other objects will make it more difficult for the bugs to hide and breed.
A professional inspector will be able to determine the extent of an infestation and recommend the best treatment options for your home. Depending on the severity of the situation, you may need to remove all items from infested rooms and treat the entire house. A thorough inspection will look for signs of the insects in every room, including closets and dressers.
Since up to 90% of a Bed Bugs Removal infestation is in or around the mattress, it’s important that you examine it regularly. Begin by removing bedding and washing the linens thoroughly. Afterwards, carefully inspect the seams, tufts, and folds of your mattress. Also, inspect the box spring/support platform and the frame/headboard. Check for live bed bugs, molts/skins, eggs, and blood spotting.
In addition to the mattress, it’s also a good idea to examine upholstered furniture (such as sofas and chairs), curtain pleats, and other hiding spots for bed bugs. Use a flashlight to help you see better, and don’t be afraid to disassemble furniture.
If you discover any signs of an infestation, it’s a good idea to vacuum frequently and wash all bedding and curtains regularly. You should also wash your linens in hot water after every use. It’s also a good idea to seal your suitcase and clothing in plastic bags when traveling, so the pests don’t travel from hotel to hotel with you.
Heat treatment is a non-chemical method that involves placing specialized heaters throughout your home to raise the temperature above the point at which the pests die. The process is discreet and can be completed in less than a day, all while keeping your home comfortable.
During heat treatment, it’s important that you follow the instructions given to you by your PCO. You may need to move your belongings, especially any that are heat-sensitive, from infested areas before the process begins. It’s also a good idea for you to clean your home before the heat treatment. This will include a deep cleaning of all surfaces, including floors and baseboards. This will make it much more difficult for the pests to hide in the cracks and crevices. It’s also a good idea of you to seal any cracks around your home’s baseboards, electrical outlets, and light sockets. This will prevent the pests from crawling in and out of these cracks to evade the heat. Additionally, it’s a good idea to caulk these cracks to further protect your home from bed bugs.