Bed bugs are a persistent problem that can affect any home or business. Effective treatment is essential to completely eradicate these pests and prevent future infestations. In this blog post, we’ll explore the best and worst treatments for bed bugs, providing insights into their effectiveness and practical use.
Best Treatments
Heat Treatment
Heat treatment is widely regarded as one of the most effective methods for eliminating bed bugs. Bed bugs are highly sensitive to temperature changes, and exposure to high heat can kill them at all life stages, including eggs, nymphs, and adults. Here are the primary forms of heat treatment:
DIY Heat Treatment
Put items in the dryer: It’s a simple yet effective DIY solution. Infested items such as clothing, bedding, and soft household items can be placed in a tumble dryer on the highest heat setting for 90 minutes. The heat penetrates the items, killing any bed bugs present. However, this method is limited to items that can withstand being tumble dried.
Professional Heat Treatments
These treatments offer a more comprehensive solution and can be divided into two main types:
- Spot Heat Treatment (with Steam): This method involves using steam to target specific infested areas. Steam is highly effective at killing bed bugs on contact and can penetrate deep into cracks, crevices, and fabric. Spot heat treatment is particularly useful for treating mattresses, upholstered furniture, and other specific areas where bed bugs are found. To ensure maximum effectiveness, spot heat treatments are often combined with canine bed bug detection. Sniffer dogs can accurately identify infested areas, allowing for targeted and thorough treatment.
- Whole Room Heat Treatment: This is the most effective professional method for eliminating bed bugs. Industrial heaters are used to raise the temperature of an entire room or building to a level lethal to bed bugs (typically around 50-60°C or 122-140°F). This method ensures that all bed bugs, regardless of their hiding spots, are exposed to the lethal temperature. Whole room heat treatment is particularly beneficial because it eliminates the need to locate and treat individual bugs, ensuring a comprehensive eradication. More information about whole room heat treatment can be found on Merlin Environmental’s website.
Freezing
Freezing treatments are another effective method for killing bed bugs by exposing them to extremely low temperatures. Similar to heat treatments, freezing can be done in DIY or professional settings:
DIY Freezing
Infested items can be placed in a standard home freezer for several days. The cold temperature will kill bed bugs present in the items. This method is practical for small items like clothing, toys, and bedding. However, it is limited by the size of the freezer and the types of items that can be frozen without damage.
Professional Freezing
For a more targeted approach, professional-grade aerosols can be used to freeze bed bugs. These aerosols can achieve temperatures as low as -40°C, similar to spot heat treatments but using cold instead. This method is effective for spot-treatments and can be used on items and areas that cannot be exposed to heat. Like spot heat treatments, freezing is most effective when combined with powerful detection methods such as canine-assisted detection.
Diatomaceous Earth, Interceptors, and Mattress Protectors
Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is a non-toxic powder made from fossilized diatoms. It works by damaging the exoskeleton of bed bugs, leading to dehydration and death. Here’s how it can be used effectively:
Diatomaceous Earth Application
Using a hand duster, apply Diatomaceous Earth (DE) liberally to all areas of the bed frame, baseboards, bed heads, and other potential hiding spots such as cracks and crannies. The fine powder should create a barrier that bed bugs must cross to reach their hosts. DE is highly effective, killing around 90% of bed bugs that come into contact with it. It is available at most garden centres, hardware stores, and online retailers.
Bed Bug Interceptors
These are small dishes placed under the legs of beds and furniture. They create a moat that traps bed bugs attempting to climb up. The inside of the interceptors can be dusted with DE to increase their effectiveness. Ensure that the bed does not touch walls or other furniture, as these can provides alternative pathways for bed bugs to reach the bed without passing through the interceptors.
Mattress Protectors
Encase your mattress and box spring in bed bug-proof covers. These encasements trap any bed bugs already on the mattress and prevent them from leaving the mattress. When used in combination with DE and interceptors, mattress protectors help ensure that bed bugs are eradicated from the sleeping area. You’ll need to keep mattresses in the protector for at least one year since that’s how long bed bugs can live without food.
DE, mattress protectors and interceptors should be used together as part of a single solution to keep bed bugs out of your bed. Consistency and persistence are essential when using these methods.
Sniffer Dogs
Sniffer dogs are not a treatment but a highly effective detection method that enhances the success of bed bug eradication efforts. Specially trained dogs can quickly and accurately locate bed bugs by scent, even in large and cluttered areas. Here’s why sniffer dogs are invaluable:
- High Success Rate: Sniffer dogs have an accuracy rate of up to 90%, significantly increasing the chances of identifying all infested areas and bed bug hiding places.
- Speed and Efficiency: Dogs can search large spaces, such as hotels, office buildings, and transportation vehicles, much faster than human inspectors. This speed allows for quicker treatment and less disruption.
- Comprehensive Detection: Sniffer dogs can find bed bugs in places that are difficult for humans to inspect, such as behind walls, under floors, and inside furniture.
By accurately identifying infested areas, sniffer dogs ensure that spot freezing and heat treatments can be targeted at the bed bugs to ensure a comprehensive and effective treatment, reducing the likelihood of bed bugs being missed.
DEET
DEET is a common insect repellent used primarily against mosquitoes, but it will also deter bed bugs from biting. Here’s how DEET works against bed bugs:
- Short-Term Protection: Applying DEET to exposed skin can prevent bed bugs from biting. It’s particularly useful when sleeping in infested areas or while travelling.
- Limitations: DEET is not a long-term solution. Bed bugs will avoid biting skin treated with DEET, but they will not be eliminated. They can wait until the DEET wears off or until they find untreated skin. Additionally, frequent use of DEET is not practical or healthy, as it can cause skin irritation and other side effects with prolonged use. While DEET can provide temporary protection from bites, it should be used as part of a broader treatment strategy rather than as a standalone solution.
Worst Treatments
Chemical Pesticides
Chemical pesticides have long been used to combat various pests, including bed bugs. However, their effectiveness against bed bugs has significantly diminished over time due to several critical issues:
Ineffectiveness on Eggs: One of the primary drawbacks of chemical pesticides is their inability to kill bed bug eggs. Even if adult bed bugs are eliminated, the eggs can remain viable and hatch later, leading to a recurring infestation.
Resistance: Many bed bug populations have developed resistance to common pesticides. This means that even if pesticides are applied correctly, they may not kill the bugs, rendering the treatment ineffective. Resistance varies by region by pesticide type. This can make it challenging to find an effective chemical treatment.
Health Risks: Chemical treatments pose health risks to humans and pets, especially when used in areas where people sleep or spend a lot of time. Pesticides can cause respiratory issues, skin irritation, and other health problems, particularly in poorly ventilated spaces.
Limited Detection Capabilities: Chemical treatments rely heavily on human detection of bed bugs, which is difficult due to their small size and tendency to hide in cracks and crevices. This makes it challenging to apply the pesticide effectively across all infested areas.
Multiple Treatments Required: Effective eradication with chemical pesticides usually requires multiple treatments, typically at least three. Despite these repeated applications, the overall success rate is often only about 60%. This makes chemical treatments less reliable and more time-consuming compared to other methods.
Incompatibility with Sniffer Dogs: Sniffer dogs, which are highly effective at detecting bed bugs, cannot be used in conjunction with chemical treatments due to the health risks to the dogs. This limits the ability to accurately locate infested areas for treatment as chemical treatment relies on human sight to find the illusive bed bugs.
Where to Get Professional Bed Bug Treatment
When dealing with a bed bug infestation, professional treatment is often the most effective and reliable solution. Merlin Environmental is the premier choice for bed bug eradication in the UK. Here’s why:
Expertise and Experience: Merlin Environmental has decades of experience in dealing with bed bug infestations in various settings, including homes, hotels, offices, and transportation vehicles. Our team is highly trained in the latest and most effective bed bug treatment methods.
Advanced Detection Methods: Merlin Environmental employs a large team of sniffer dogs to accurately detect bed bug infestations. These dogs are trained to locate bed bugs quickly and with a high degree of accuracy, ensuring that nothing is overlooked.
Effective Non-Toxic Treatments: Merlin Environmental prioritises the use of non-toxic treatments, such as heat, which are not only more effective but also safer for humans and pets. These methods ensure that bed bugs are eliminated without the risks associated with chemical pesticides.
Comprehensive Bed Bug Services: From initial detection to complete eradication, Merlin Environmental provides a full range of services to address bed bug infestations. Our approach includes thorough, regular inspections, targeted treatments, and follow-up visits to ensure that the problem is completely resolved. We also deploy whole room heat treatment to quickly and effectively wipe out bed bug populations in rooms with confirmed infestations. Our whole room treatments come with a 100% elimination guarantee.
For more information about Merlin Environmental’s bed bug detection and treatment services, visit their our at Merlin Environmental. By choosing Merlin Environmental, you can be confident in receiving the most effective and safe bed bug treatment available, allowing you to return to a pest-free environment quickly.
