What are the First Steps to Take in Bed Bug Treatment?

Trying to eradicate bed bugs and determining the appropriate strategy for a bed bug treatment does not have to be complicated or expensive. To get the proverbial ball rolling, there are a few key steps that kick off an effective bed bug treatment action plan:

• Detect – Step one is to identify bed bugs and all of their hiding places in the building, perhaps utilizing fail-safe professional assistance like a bed bug dog inspection company. Or, you can do this yourself with a flashlight and magnifying glass and hope you uncover all areas they are hiding.

You will want to look at all bedding, mattresses, furniture, clothing, drapes and curtains, baseboards, cracks, smoke alarms and light switches to name just a few popular spots. If you do not feel confident about a DIY first step strategy, then you might consider a bed bug dog inspection company, which uses trained canines to sniff out bed bugs and pinpoint all of their exact locations with only the slightest margins for error—much better than any human counterpart.

• Destroy – Step two is to immediately kill the bed bugs that you do find and focus on all areas that may contain bed bugs. If you used a bed bug dog inspection company, you may know all of these areas. However, if you are unsure, you may need to take down all curtains and remove all linens, rugs, and clothing and wash and dry in very hot water and then dry on an equally hot setting for truly effective bed bug treatment.

You may also have to use a vacuum, dry heat, or steam to wholly eradicate. You may also want to consider other treatments like professional chemical-based pesticides from a bed bug extermination company.

• Deter – Step three is to employ bed bug treatment or combination of treatments in combination with preventative measures to ensure that they do not come back and re-infest your home or business. Think about using a mattress liner or encasement for all mattresses and box springs.

You can also utilize a bed bug monitor device that uses CO2 and pheromones to tempt the bed bugs to their death. These are especially good as a bed bug treatment during the deterrence step. Diligently checking the structure on a monthly basis is also advisable, especially if you are in a multi-unit structure where others may not be as proactive.

In Review

• A bed bug treatment involves detection, destruction, and deterrence.
• You can do it yourself after increasing your awareness and knowledge about bed bugs or you can seek professional assistance from a bed bug dog inspection company and a bed bug extermination service.
• It is important to know where to look and what to look for as well as use a combination of extermination and proactive deterrence measures.
• Don’t assume bed bugs are then gone forever; you must be vigilant in regularly inspecting for them and using things like mattress liners or encasements as well as bed bug monitor devices.

Photo Credit: L.C.Nøttaasen's

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