Types of Bed Bug Treatments: Which Are Most Effective?
Everything You Need to Know About Bed Bug Treatments
When bed bugs turn your peaceful living space into a sleepless battleground, you need to act quickly.
The good news is there are many types of bed bug treatments available.
The bad news is they’re not all created equal. Pick the wrong one, and it won’t be long before these bloodsucking pests reappear!
That’s why you need to know which treatments have proven most effective in the battle against these resilient insects. Armed with this knowledge, you can reclaim your home and peace of mind!
5 Reasons Why You Should Avoid DIY Bed Bug Treatments
Like many homeowners, you may be tempted to tackle a bed bug infestation yourself. However, there are a lot of drawbacks to DIY methods. In fact, DIY bed bug treatments can often make things worse!
Here are some reasons you should think twice before attempting to get rid of bed bugs without professional help…
1. They’re Just Not Effective
DIY bed bug treatments, such as over-the-counter pesticide sprays, have limited effectiveness. Bed bugs are resilient creatures, and most products you can buy in stores aren’t strong enough to get the job done. It’s a common myth that you can simply spray bed bugs away with a bottle of pesticide.
And it’s not just what products you use that can result in incomplete eradication but how you go about it. Bed bugs are great at hiding in cracks and crevices, so signs of bed bugs can be tough to spot. If you don’t have the expertise to find and treat every possible hiding spot, you can leave behind survivors that quickly repopulate.
This can lead to a false sense of security, as you might think the problem is solved when it’s only been temporarily suppressed.
2. You Can Introduce Health Hazards
Many types of bed bug treatments used by homeowners involve chemicals and pesticides. These can be hazardous if mishandled. In fact, there have been reports of acute illnesses and even deaths resulting from insecticide misuse.
If you don’t have the right knowledge and training, you could expose yourself, your family, and your pets to harmful substances.
3. Not All of the DIY Bed Bug Removal Methods Are Legal
Some of the DIY methods you may come across are not only unsafe and ineffective but also illegal. Only EPA-registered pesticides should be used to kill the bed bugs in your home. Other products people frequently use that aren’t legal include the following:
Diatomaceous earth that isn’t meant for pesticide use
Regular rubbing alcohol
Carbon dioxide, propane, or other gases
4. There’s a Greater Risk of Spreading
Another drawback of taking a DIY approach is you can unknowingly spread bed bugs to other areas of your home. These pests can hitchhike on your clothing, bedding, and towels, causing the infestation to become more widespread. Without the proper skills and equipment, you risk turning a small problem into an out-of-control nightmare.
5. You’ll End up Paying More
Attempting to eliminate bed bugs yourself may seem like a money-saving move, but rest assured, it’s not. Specialists in entomology have found that most DIY methods are a waste of money. Bed bugs also reproduce quickly, so every day without effective treatment allows their numbers to grow. This can make the infestation worse, requiring repeated treatments to address it.
Ultimately, hiring professionals immediately is more cost-effective overall. Otherwise, you’ll have a longer and more expensive battle on your hands.
5 Types of Bed Bug Treatments Professionals Use
To understand what bed bug treatment options actually work, you need to look to the experts. Bed bug exterminators know what it takes to reduce bed bug populations to zero. Along with being highly trained, they have access to commercial-grade equipment. So, it’s no surprise that their methods are more effective.
Here are 5 types of bed bug treatments professionals frequently use:
1. Heat Treatment
Although bed bugs are attracted to warmth, they can’t stand up to high heat. Research has shown that both adults and eggs start to die off at roughly 120 degrees (with eggs lasting a little longer). That, combined with the fact it’s a chemical-free solution, is why heat treatment is one of the best ways to kill these pesky insects. But it does require extra prep work since it can cause damage to items in the home.
How It Works: The extermination team starts by placing portable heaters around the home. Then, they raise the temperature to around 120 degrees for 1-3 hours. As the heat is distributed throughout the space, the treatment works even on bed bugs hiding in cracks and crevices.
How Much It Costs: On average, heat treatment costs between $150-$395 per room.
2. Insecticide
Of all the different types of bed bug treatments, conventional insecticide is one of the most popular. That’s because it’s quicker and more cost-effective than some other methods. However, the drawback of insecticides is that they don’t kill bed bug eggs. So, exterminators often use these chemicals as one step in an integrated pest management approach.
How It Works: The team comes in and applies the appropriate insecticide formula (powder, liquid, or aerosol) throughout the home. They pay special attention to bed frames, mattresses, and box springs since that’s where bed bugs eat. Usually, this method is used as a follow-up to heat treatment, as it can take multiple treatments before an infestation is cleared.
How Much It Costs: An insecticide treatment can cost anywhere from $264 to $775 per room.
3. Fumigation
Professionals often use fumigation when an infestation is widespread. This method is highly effective as it can kill all forms of bed bugs—even eggs. That said, fumigation is an intense process that requires you to vacate your home for at least 24 hours. And because it involves tenting your home, it’s not very discreet.
How It Works: For fumigation, the team covers the home in an airtight tarp. Then, they release fumigant gas into the home. The gas spreads throughout, eradicating the infestation.
How Much It Costs: Of all the different types of bed bug treatments, fumigation is the most expensive, costing anywhere from $528 to $1,056 per room.
4. Freezing
It’s not just high temperatures that can kill bed bugs but low ones, too. According to a study on the cold tolerance of bed bugs, 100% mortality occurs when these pests are exposed to temperatures of 3.2 degrees for 80 hours. And the colder it is, the less time it takes. However, freezing isn’t the most reliable option since it may not reach the pests that take refuge in heavy fabrics.
How It Works: The team carefully applies frozen liquid carbon dioxide throughout the home. Typically, they focus on areas around the bed. The process itself is fast and efficient.
How Much It Costs: You can expect to pay between $396 to $792 per room for freezing.
5. Steam Treatment
The use of steam is another option for eliminating bed bugs. Exterminators usually pair this method with another for a more focused attack. The high temperatures from the steam can kill the bed bugs it comes into contact with, but extra effort is needed to ensure total elimination. The downside of steam is that it doesn’t work on the bed bugs that retreat into your walls.
How It Works: The extermination team brings in equipment that releases steam (or steam foam) of more than 200 degrees. They go room by room to deliver concentrated heat to kill bed bugs on contact. During the process, they focus on small spaces where bed bugs like to hide.
How Much It Costs: Steam treatment for bed bugs costs between $250 to $1,000 per room.
What Factors Can Affect Your Treatment Choice
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to eliminating bed bugs. The right option for one home may not be the right one for yours. That’s why a good exterminator won’t just recommend one or two types of bed bug treatments off the bat. Instead, they’ll work with you to find the best option based on factors like the following:
The severity of the infestation
The extent of your infestation plays a key role in treatment selection. A minor or recent infestation may be solved with less aggressive treatments. However, a severe one might request a more robust solution.
The bed bug treatment professionals you bring in will asses your home before deciding on a course of action.
Budget restrictions
Different types of bed bug treatments have different price tags. So, you want to make sure the method used fits your budget. You can talk this over with your exterminator to find the most effective option in your price range. But keep in mind that you will need to make a larger investment to rid your home of bed bugs for good.
Safety concerns
Safety should always be a top priority when choosing a bed bug treatment. After all, you need to consider the well-being of your family and pets. DIY methods can be dangerous, but professionals use safety measures when performing treatments.
You can discuss your concerns with your exterminator to find the best solution for you and your loved ones.
Environmental considerations
Although the pesticides used by exterminators are EPA-approved, they’re not the most environmentally friendly. If you’re worried about the impact on the environment, you can share this with your exterminator. They’ll likely recommend non-chemical options like heat or steam.
Time constraints
When you go through the different types of bed bug treatments with your exterminator, make sure to factor in time. Consider what your family’s schedule looks like and how quickly you need the infestation resolved.
Your exterminator will help you select the fastest, most efficient option.
Related: What are the Dangers of Bed Bugs?
Contact Us for Preparation & Bed Bug Treatment Info!
Although there are many types of bed bug treatments out there, only certain ones provided by professionals are reliable. Once you confirm your home has been invaded, you should contact an expert immediately. They’ll be able to guide you in selecting the right option for your needs. That way, you can feel confident your living space is properly treated for bed bugs.
And if you need help getting your home ready for extermination, Advanced Bed Bug Preparation is the company to call! Our team offers bed bug preparation services and laundry treatment, as well as prevention tips to residents throughout Appleton, Oshkosh, Fond du Lac, Green Bay, Sheboygan, and Northeast Wisconsin.
We’ll handle the grueling prep work for you and return your home to normal. Take a look at our process here.
