Widely known as persistent bugs, bed bugs have a reputation for being a household nuisance. Small as they are, these critters are known to predispose their host to nightmares and sleeplessness. Several bed bug hosts are known to attempt to extenuate the issue themselves; however, more often than not, professional assistance is the only productive option.
When it comes to bugs, bed bugs are infamous for the highest resistance to most, if not all, over-the-counter medicines. Their near invisibility renders their complete eradication, sans special training and infrastructure, nigh impossible. Knowing the right time to contact professional services as well as how these services work can efficiently help a person save their money, time, and most importantly, correct peace of mind.
Recognizing When Professional Help is Necessary
Probably one of the most vexatious nuisances of a home would have to be the bed bug. Your relaxing and comfortable abode can instantly become a terrible ordeal with sleepless nights and scratching yourself. Homeowners trying to carry out “do-it-yourself” bed bug elimination have come to the conclusion that out of all the possible options, calling a pest control expert to help is usually the most dependable.
It is a fact that a bed bug is resistant to almost all the treatment options that are easily available. They occupy the most minute of spaces, which makes getting rid of them very difficult without specialized tools and training. Understanding when and how to engage professional pest control services can save you time, money, and your peace of mind.
Assessment Phase
Licensed pest control professionals perform in-depth examinations of properties. They analyze mattresses, box springs, furniture joints, and wall fissures with specialized detection devices. Some professionals will even employ specialized canine units to uncover and identify areas of infestation that are not readily visible.
The assessment phase consists of much paperwork. Specialists sequence-shutter photograph records and then devise detailed treatment maps to infest areas, including planning out treatment strategies. Systematic approaches to these records allow gaps in data treatment to be systematically recorded over periods of time.
Heat Treatment Methods
One of the most effective professional solutions is heat treatment. Exterminators utilize proprietary gear that, for hours at a time, superheats the room to within the range of 120 and 135°F . Every exposed life stage of a bed bug, including the hands-off treated eggs, is permanently exterminated in this range.
The approach requires fastidious monitoring and specialized knowledge. Workmen rely on thermal sensors to pinpoint even treatment zones with adequate warmth for the desired period. Phenomenological factors of outdoor conditioned spaces and the safety of maintainers are the least complex of the protocols that must be followed.
Chemical Treatment Approaches
Insecticides available at retail stores tend to be less effective than their pro-level counterparts. Exterminators for hire know how to use Restricted Use Pesticides (RUPs), which penetrate more deeply and last longer than products available to the general public. Exterminators are trained in the safe use and the legal boundaries of the use of these chemicals.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) incorporates more than one chemical strategy. Residual sprays, dusts, and precision spot treatments are often incorporated in the same treatment. Each of these has been shown to work against different aspects of the hiding and behavioral strategies that bed bugs use throughout their lifespan.
Steam and Vapor Technology
Steam at high temperatures is able to penetrate deeply into the fibers of furniture and fabric. Professional steamer heats over 160°F, instantly killing the bed bugs in contact. This treatment is a bed bug chemical-free treatment for mattresses, upholstered furniture, and curtains.
Vapor treatments are an adjunct to more traditional methods, which work quite nicely. Professionals use specialized vapor generators, which bed bugs use to conceal themselves in gaps, cracks, and wall voids. The heat and moisture bed bugs can also eliminate portions of the population.
Fumigation for Severe Cases
Fumigation, wherein the whole structure gets fumigated, is needed for severe cases of infestations. In such cases, the entire structure is sealed off, and gas that is lethal is infused, reaching and penetrating every nook and cranny of the structure. No one is allowed to perform fumigation as it is legal only for certified experts and needs to be performed with specialized tools.
Certain areas are designated ‘preparation for fumigation’ and are to be planned and coordinated more thoroughly than others. Definite areas of the property have to be left (the user has to leave or is to be made to leave the property) for more than 24-72 hours while the experts have to gauge the quantity of gas that has been released. These include areas of food facilities and communication, and are to be removed or specially sealed.
Post-Treatment Monitoring and Follow-up
The post-treatment stage of the property includes a comprehensive and detailed inspection as part of the service. After a week to two weeks, the professionals revisit the property to gauge the effectiveness of the treatment that has been done and to assess the existing populations. This stage is one of the most crucial stages, owing to the fact that many eggs of bed bugs can come out after a while, as the initial treatment is done.
Throughout the period after the treatment is done, all the treatment is documented. The professionals evaluate every progress made and catalog new activities observed, and then modify treatment steps taken earlier. Most companies that have an esteemed reputation assure their clients that they will provide additional treatment free of charge if the bed bugs return after a certain period of time.
Cost Considerations and Treatment Value
The size of the property and the severity of the infestation determine the cost of professional bed bug treatment. Initial treatments typically range from $300-$5,000, depending on square footage and chosen methods. The cost might seem high, but professional treatment is cheaper than the sum of property damage and multiple failed DIY attempts.
Peace of mind, as well as guaranteed results, are provided when professional services are invested in. Most companies provide warranties between 30 days and 1 year. The problem of ongoing health consequences, in addition to property damage from infestations, justifies the expense associated with professional expertise, specialized equipment, and proven methodologies.
Making Your Home Bed Bug-Free Again
We as certified pest controllers offer the most guaranteed methods for complete elimination of pest. Their knowledge, professional equipment, and techniques leave the success rate way ahead of DIY methods.
Take care of your physical and mental well-being. Sleep is important to your health, so if you lose rest, you lose your defense. Contact pest controllers as soon as you notice an infestation. Save yourself the damage, both economically and health-wise, by getting the damage under control as soon as possible.
