Compare Bed Bug Treatment Methods
Almost every pest control company provides bed bug treatment for homes and businesses, but not every bed bug treatment is the same. What is the best treatment for bed bugs? This comparison of bed bug treatments is brought to you by a company who has specialized in only bed bug treatment in several US states for ten years. Compare all of the methods used by companies across the US discussed below. Take a look at the bed bug treatment providers near you and see what methods they use.
Traditional Pesticide Bed Bug Treatment
Must be the correct pesticide used in the proper way
Every pesticide will have a label that explains how the product should be handled, diluted, mixed, applied, and disposed of. It will also explain what protective equipment to use, how long to be out of the treatment area, and first aid advice in case you are exposed to the product. The label will also list what pest(s) the product targets. Many pesticides have special instructions for each pest.
DO NOT FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE FOLLOWING EXAMPLES. REFER TO THE LABEL OF THE PRODUCT YOU ARE USING.
Bed Bug Label Example 1: some of the products labeled for bed bugs say DO NOT APPLY to surfaces where prolonged human contact will occur such as the tops of mattresses and couches. They say to APPLY the product at the seams of the bed, box spring, couches, upholstered chairs, at the cracks of wooden furniture and the joints (where two pieces of wood meet).
Bed Bug Label Example 2: Some products labeled for bed bugs say that you can apply them to the entire surface of the bed (including the top), broadcast on the entire surface of floors and walls, or wherever bugs are found.
Synthetic pyrethrin AKA pyrethroids
When a pest control company applies pesticide, they much choose the correct product for the job. Bed bugs can become resistant to pesticides very quickly, especially to those in the pyrethroid class. Every pesticide will have a label that lists the active ingredient. If the active ingredient ends in “thrin” then it is a pyrethroid. There are many different active ingredients in the pyrethroid class.
There is another reason not to use pyrethroids other than pesticide resistance. Many of the pyrethroid pesticides will act as a repellant to bed bugs. This means that the bed bugs will run away from the product and end up in other rooms. This makes the infestation much more difficult to exterminate and prolongs the problem.
Benefits of traditional pesticide treatment
Bed bug treatment using pesticide has some advantages over other treatment methods, assuming that the correct product is used in the correct manner. Pesticide treatments cost less for the consumer and for the pest control company than any other treatment method. It takes less time to apply pesticide than it does to perform a heat treatment, steam treatment, freezing treatment, or fumigation. Some products continue to work for a long time on surfaces, this is called residual. These benefits only exist if go-backs are minimal or non-existent. Go-back is a term used by pest control companies that means they must return to the jobsite and re-apply the pesticide.
Disadvantages of traditional pesticide treatment
Even if the best pesticides are used in the proper way it will still take 30 days or more to exterminate all bed bugs unless the infestation is very minimal. The best bed bug products can only be applied to cracks and crevices, so there is no way to get the product into all bed bug hiding places. It will take time for all the bugs to encounter the product. Then there is the egg problem. Some of the products claim to kill bed bug eggs, but only if they are sprayed directly. Even the most thorough, experienced bed bug treatment professional will not be able to apply the product in all the places where bed bugs are laying eggs. The Go-back problem. Go-backs are a problem for both consumers and exterminators. A consumer must prepare the home for every go back, that is a lot of laundry. Exterminators lose a lot of money with go-backs, especially if they are a reputable company that offers a bed bug guarantee or warranty.
Biological Bed Bug Treatment
There is a relatively new product that is being used by many pest control companies for bed bug treatment called Aprehend®. This product is still a pesticide, but it is a biopesticide. The website for Aprehend® explains that: “The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines a biopesticide as ‘a type of pesticide derived from such natural materials as animals, plants, bacteria, and certain minerals.’”
Aprehend® contains active bacterial spores that target bed bugs. When a bed bug walks on a surface that has been treated within three months of the product being applied it will pick up the spores and they will begin to germinate, killing the bug in 4-10 days after exposure.
Benefits of this Biopesticide
In general, a biopesticide is less toxic than standard pesticides because the bacteria targets a specific organism rather than a wide range of creatures. Aprehend® claims to remain active for three months, so it is great for medium range residual that should protect the treated areas if bed bugs are introduced. The website claims that if a bed bug is infected, they will pass the infection to other bed bugs they encounter. This product does not need to be diluted, it comes ready to use.
Disadvantages of this Biopesticide
Aprehend® is relatively more expensive than standard pesticides used for bed bugs. You must use a special (and expensive) “low volume, low pressure” sprayer to apply the product because it is not diluted. Also, it still takes two weeks or longer to exterminate all bed bugs.
Heat Treatment For Bed Bugs
Heat treatment is considered by many to be the most effective bed bug treatment method because it combats the disadvantages of traditional pesticide treatments. Heat is widely used by pest control companies and bed bug specialists in every US state. Some companies only offer heat for the most severe bed bug infestations, whereas others offer heat for even light infestations. Temperatures over 120 degrees will kill all bed bugs and eggs that are exposed to it. There are many different ways to apply heat, each heating method has its pros and cons.
Localized Heat
Heat can be applied to cracks and seams using a handheld heater or steamer, this is called localized heat. This type of heating method will kill bed bugs and eggs that are exposed to the heat for long enough. The problems with this method are many. The heat only reaches the areas where you focus the device. It is very tedious and time consuming to try and reach all bed bug hiding places. Some devices can damage or burn the surface of the treatment’s focus. It is difficult to apply the heat uniformly so some surfaces will get hotter than others, and some surfaces don’t get hot enough.
Heat Chambers
Heat can be applied to the interior of a temporary chamber. Furniture or other belongings can be placed inside a chamber that is built or inflated. The temperature is raised inside the chamber to above 120 degrees with electric or infrared heaters. This method heats the contents of the chamber, but not the room outside the chamber. Heat chambers are ideal for buildings equipped with fire suppression sprinklers so long as the heat does not escape the chamber. The disadvantages of heat chambers are that it is difficult to lift and move furniture into the chamber and some heat chambers can be difficult to construct. Another drawback of a heat chamber is that the area outside of the chamber are not heated so any bed bugs outside the chamber will persist unless another treatment method is paired with the chamber.
Space Heating
Heat can be applied to entire rooms or buildings; this is called space heating. Space heating can be accomplished by a variety of different bed bug heating equipment. The two main types of bed bug heating equipment are Fuel Burning or Electric. Space heating is the most effective heating method because the heat reaches all bed bug hiding places if performed correctly killing all bed bugs and eggs in the heated area. Like any treatment method, this method also has its disadvantages. Heat sensitive items such as candles or certain televisions within the heated area can be damaged by the heat. If the heat is extreme enough it can set off fire suppression sprinklers and even damage windows, causing thousands of dollars in damage. Another disadvantage to space heating is that there is no residual killing action unless pesticide products are applied along with the heat. If any bed bugs or eggs survive the initial heat treatment, or if bed bugs are introduced to the heated areas later, then there is nothing to kill them.
Fuel Burning Bed Bug Heaters
Fuel burning heaters may use propane or diesel to produce heat. These heaters are placed outside the structure and the heat is delivered through ductwork via doors or windows. The heaters must be outside because they produce carbon monoxide (CO) which is deadly in high concentrations. By keeping the heaters outside, enough fresh air is brought into the structure to prevent deadly buildup of CO.
Fuel burning heaters are the most efficient way to raise temperature. They also raise the temperature much quicker than electric heaters, usually reaching target temperature within 1 hour. These types of heaters produce much more extreme heat that can reach 180 degrees or higher. There is a much higher risk damage with fuel burning heaters. These heaters must be constantly monitored so to prevent overheating the space and causing damage.
Electric Bed Bug Heaters
Electric heaters are placed inside the structure with power delivered from an external generator or the power from the structure. These heaters use electricity to power heating elements. A fan pushes air past the heating elements and the temperature gradually rises in the room. There is no risk for CO buildup with electric heaters because there are zero emissions.
Electric heaters that use the power from inside the structure can be a fire hazard if the structure is improperly wired or if other electrical problems exist. With electric heaters bed bugs have more time to escape and shelter from heat because the heat rises gradually. More than one heater is needed per room with most electric bed bug heating systems, otherwise it will take more than twelve hours to reach target temperature. The number of heaters required per room depends on the size of the room and the height of the ceiling.
Steam Treatment For Bed Bugs
Bed bug treatments using steam are a form of heat treatment. This would be considered localized heat treatment. Steam kills bed bugs and eggs that get hot enough during application. The steam is applied to the seams and surfaces of beds, couches, chairs, carpets, and curtains. Steamers that produce too much moisture are not recommended for use on wooden furniture or electronics that can be damaged by the moisture. Some steamers can be used on wooden furniture, refer to the manufacturer instructions. The most important traits of a bed bug steamer are high temperatures and low moisture.
Freezing Treatment For Bed Bugs
Freezing bed bug treatments are a popular way to exterminate bed bugs and other pests in certain parts of the US, especially in New York City. The company that produces the bed bug freezing equipment is Cryonite. They have patented a nozzle that “converts liquid carbon dioxide (CO2) into particles of dry ice.” The nozzle produces a dry ice “snow” that covers the bugs and eggs, killing them with the extremely cold temperature.
The surfaces where the snow is applied will remain dry because it is dry ice. This makes it ideal for use inside un-powered electronics where liquids can not be used. You can not apply it directly to the circuits and there may be moisture that occurs from condensation so it is best to unplug the device to prevent damage. The snow will kill all bed bugs and eggs that are covered by it.
As with any treatment method there are several disadvantages to freezing treatments. The nozel can not be used continuously as the tip of the nozzle will freeze shut. The tanks of liquid carbon dioxide must be stored at temperatures below 85 and its recommended to be stored at temps above 60 which can prove difficult in warm climates. You must use this product in a well ventilated area to prevent the suffocation risk from a buildup of CO2.
Tenting and Fumigation for Bed Bugs
Tenting and fumigation can only be performed by a pest control company who is licensed in the fumigation category. Most pest control companies do not obtain licensing for fumigation services as most infestations of common insects can be eliminated with other means. This process involves covering the entire structure with thick impermeable canvas tarps and emitting a gas into the structure. This gas, called a fumigant, will kill every living thing within the tent including plants with most products. This is the most extreme type of pest control because it is so dangerous for humans. Exposure to fumigants is lethal, and the products are often odorless. You would think that the extreme dangers of using fumigants would come with extreme effectiveness. This is not the case. It says right on the label of most fumigants that a second fumigation maybe required after egg hatch out. This means that fumigants may not kill bed bug eggs.
Vacuuming for Bed Bugs
Vacuums are a great tool in your battle against bed bugs. Vacuums intended for pest control can physically remove all the bed bugs that you can see, however they will not likely remove the bed bug eggs. Bed bug eggs are firmly attached to fabric and wood surfaces and are not easily dislodged. Bed bugs often hide and lay eggs in areas that are out of reach such as deep within cracks of wooden furniture or inside of couches and box springs. Even the most powerful vacuum will not suck the bed bugs and eggs out of these hard to reach areas.