Bed bugs are a severe threat in the United States, and taking action is vital. Bed bug heat treatment eliminates them from your home or business, but it’s challenging to do independently. That’s why we’ve created this step-by-step guide so that you can start eradicating bed bugs safely and effectively.
Why heat treatment is essential for bed bug eradication
Bed bug heat treatment is one of the most effective ways to kill bed bugs. When you kill the adult stage of a bed bug, it cannot lay any eggs or reproduce. If you treat your home with heat and cold methods at once. Then there’s no need for repeated treatments because the bugs will not survive long enough to breed again.
Bed bugs also have an affinity for humans. They’ve been around us since ancient times when humans first arrived on Earth (around 200 million years ago).
Step 1: What you will need
To get started, you’ll need the following:
- A heat treatment equipment kit. This includes everything you need to complete the killing and treating bed bugs. The most common items in these kits include:
- A hot air gun (for spraying chemicals)
- A propane torch (for heating the bed bug-infested area)
- Thermometers with both Celsius and Fahrenheit scales (to measure temperatures accurately)
step 2: Identify all infested areas
- Examine your bed.
- Check under the mattress and box spring for any signs of bed bugs. If you find any, remove the fabric coverings immediately and place them in a plastic bag away from other items. By doing this, they don’t get contaminated by other materials (like clothing).
- Look behind headboards and nightstands for signs of hidden bugs; if there are none here, seal up all cracks around baseboards with duct tape or caulk.
- Check cushions on couches, sofas, loveseats, chairs, etc., especially if they’re filled with fabric pillows.
Step 3: Prepare the room for bed bug heat treatment
- Remove all furniture. If you have a bed that can be removed, such as an inflatable mattress or air mattress, consider removing it so the bugs cannot hide between cushions and underneath your bed frame.
- Remove all curtains, blinds, and drapes.
- Remove all bedding (sheets/comforters), blankets, and pillows from your bedroom.
Step 4: Preheat the room to 130 degrees Fahrenheit
Preheating will kill any bed bugs and allow them to be vacuumed later. You can use a heat gun or hair dryer for this step; if you have a space heater that still needs to be plugged in, use it! If possible, use one of these methods:
- Use an electric oven with an open door (you’ll need to turn on its pilot light). The temperature should be 130 degrees Fahrenheit by now.
- Plug in an electric space heater(s) and leave them running for several hours until everything is warm enough for treatment (about 100 degrees Fahrenheit).
Step 5: Remove all your items from the room.
After pre-treating the room, it’s time to remove all your items. This will include any items that can be used as a hiding place or breeding ground for bed bugs and other pests.
Step 6: Protect yourself from bites during the process.
As you begin treating your home for bed bugs, taking precautions to protect yourself from bites during the process is essential.
Wear a mask.
Bed bug bites are painful and can irritate, so wearing an airtight mask will help keep you from feeling any discomfort while working on your heat treatment.
Wear gloves.
Bed bug bites are often similar in appearance to mosquito or flea bites, and many people mistake them for spider or other insect bites. However, they’re caused by tiny parasitic insects called “latex anticoagulants” (which means that they prevent blood clotting).
If these insects bite through clothing, they could be transferred back into your body via scratches or abrasions on exposed skin areas such as the face. So make sure there’s at least some protection between you and all possible sources of exposure by wearing gloves when handling anything that comes into contact with their eggs.
Step 7: Treat your mattress and box springs with insecticides safe for pets and children.
Once you’ve thoroughly treated your mattress and box springs, you’ll want to treat the area where it’s stored. The best way to do this is with an insecticide safe for pets and children, which can be purchased at most hardware stores or online. Spray or dust the area with the insecticide. If there are cracks in walls or windowsills near where you store your bed bug mattress encasement (or any other sites), apply one more round of treatment there.
Step 8: Evaluate and be proactive to prevent future infestations
Once you’ve identified an infestation, be proactive and take steps to prevent future ones.
Know the signs of an infestation:
Bed bugs can be difficult to spot because they feed at night and leave no visible signs in their wake. However, there are some telltale signs that you should look out for if you suspect bed bugs may have been in your home:
- Minor bite marks on skin or clothing that appear after dark (you might have noticed these as tiny red dots on your sheets, for example).
- A distinct smell is coming from any mattress area (this could be due to the fecal matter being expelled into cracks).
Step 9: Talk to the pros
If you feel confident that your home is ready for bed bug heat treatment and know what equipment and supplies you’ll need, it’s time to talk to the pros.
A bed bug exterminator in Red Lion, Pa can help you determine whether this method suits your home. It also help keep other bugs out in the future. Bed bug professionals are the ones who are licensed and insured to treat your home from bed bugs.
Get insured and assured to kill bed bugs!
Bed bug infestations can be costly, especially if you don’t come to the right people or professionals. Most of those who opt for DIY can encounter that the bed bugs problem can be recurring. This is why it’s essential to approach professionals who can give you a guarantee and warranty to inspect and clear out any traces of bed bugs from eggs to nymphs. Good luck, and may the odds be ever in your favor!
