4 Common Myths about Bed Bug Treatment

There are some common mistakes that do-it-yourself bed bug controllers make when they are trying to get rid of these tenacious pests. Many make such mistakes because they don’t understand fact vs. fiction, not realizing they may have given in to some long-held myths about bed bug treatment. 

Bed Bug Treatment Myths vs. Truths
Here are four myths that may be erroneously guiding how some people are attempting to treat their bed bug problem:

1. Treating the mattress will get rid of bed bugs: No, while bed bugs are commonly found closest to their favorite food source – sleeping humans – they do also start hiding out in other spots as they begin multiplying. Even if you treat the mattress, box spring, headboard and bed frame, you may very well have bed bugs that are breeding in curtains, shoes, sofas, picture frames and cracks in your wall molding among other hideouts. If you do not treat all of the spaces, those missed will end up moving in to the bed soon after you got rid of the other ones. 
2. Cleaning your house will get rid of bed bugs: No, bed bugs love neat freaks just as much as they like packrats. They are not selective about where they live. Of course, while clutter makes it more difficult to find all the bed bugs, simply washing everything down with disinfectant, vacuuming, and dusting will not get rid of bed bugs. As long as there is food, they will stay unless properly and fully exterminated. 
3. Bug bombs will get rid of bed bugs: No, bug bombs are intended to eradicate other types of bugs but they do not work on bed bugs. If you want a bed bug treatment that uses chemicals, then you must use a pesticide that has been made specifically for them. By using bug bombs not made for bed bugs, you could actually be spreading the problem as the bed bugs will begin to move to other rooms or adjoining apartments and create an even bigger infestation. 
4. Moving will get rid of bed bugs: No, this is a drastic measure that is not necessary because it is not an effective treatment strategy. Because bed bugs are so small and hard to see – and their eggs even smaller – there is no way of knowing whether or not you are carrying a few hitchhikers on furniture or personal effects, which would mean simply spreading the bed bugs to your new location. Then, there are those left behind that also become someone else’s problem, further perpetuating the problem on the whole.

In Summary
To review the main points, here are the highlights on the myths associated with treating bed bugs:

• Bed bugs go far beyond beds and mattresses so you have to treat many areas rather than just the one.
• Being clean doesn’t matter to bed bugs; treatment must be more invasive than simply cleaning your house or business of dust and dirt.
• Bug bombs are made to treat other bugs but not bed bugs; these will only spread the infestation.
• Moving is way too drastic and ineffective to ever work.

About The Author

Jeremy Ecker has worked in the pest control industry for the past 17 years. The last 8 years was spent as a Vice President of one of the most well respected regional Pest Control Companies in New York. He is part of a NESDCA Certified Dog Team