Bed bugs are tiny insects, usually reddish-brown due to the blood they consume. These pesky creatures are considered an invasive species; they destroy belongings and suck human blood. Their numbers also grow rapidly, so it’s important to detect and eliminate them right away.
Taking action against bed bugs is essential, but there are a few different treatments to consider. We’ll look at some of the best ways to get rid of bed bugs in any space. The absolute best way to kill bed bugs will depend on several factors, including the size of your property and the infestation level.
Some of the most reliable methods include heat treatment, which eliminates all the bed bug life stages, sprays for specific spots, and the Aprehend treatment, which uses natural bio-pesticides for long-term control. Vacuum cleaning is an initial step to consider in preparation for a more permanent cure for bed bugs.
If your bed bug infestation has become an emergency condition, there’s no need to panic. Call Heat Solution right away at (437) 553-4627 for a free inspection, where an experienced exterminator will check the sheets, furniture, sofas, and any other likely hiding places for bed bugs. After that, we’ll recommend the best methods for complete bed bug eradication, the pros and cons of each choice, and suggest the most reliable method according to expert opinion.
How Do You Get Rid Of Bed Bugs?
To eliminate bed bugs from your property, a combination of different approaches is the best solution. Deep cleaning, decluttering, and regular vacuuming are required, along with the use of insecticides and heat treatment for stubborn infestations. Bed bugs can develop resistance and hide in multiple areas, so you need various approaches to address these pests.
Let’s now have a glance at some bed bug removal methods and what they entail, but before that, I’m putting down a table comparing these treatment options in effectiveness, speed, and safety so you can make an informed decision.
Treatment | Effectiveness | Speed of Results | Safety for Humans & Pets |
Bed Bug Heat Treatment | Very high (kills all stages) | Fast (single session) | Safe when professionally applied |
Aprehend Treatment | High (fungal spores) | Moderate (works over days) | Safe after drying |
Chemical Treatment | High (if applied correctly) | Fast to moderate | Risk of toxicity; follow guidelines |
DIY Cleaning Methods | Low to moderate | Slow | Safe |
Vacuum Treatment | Moderate (only visible bugs) | Immediate for those removed | Safe |
Mattress/Bed Bug Covers | Moderate (prevents spread, traps bugs) | Slow (requires time) | Safe |
Bed Bug Powder (DE) | High (with correct use) | Slow (days to weeks) | Safe if not inhaled excessively |
Fumigation | Very high | Fast | Requires vacating premises; chemical exposure risk |
Bed Bug Heat Treatment
What Is It?
Heat treatment means increasing the temperature of your home or workspace. This treatment should only be conducted by a team with extensive experience, using specialized equipment such as powerful heaters, fans, monitoring devices, etc.
How Does It Work?
The temperature range is usually 49°C to 60°C, which is lethal for bed bugs in all life stages. The high temperatures are maintained for some hours, depending on the size of the room, infestation scale, and other factors. The aim here is to let the heat permeate the clothes, beds, furniture, fabrics, and other places where bed bugs may hide.
Efficiency of This Treatment
Bed bug heat treatment is an effective method that can work on very stubborn infestations. The high temperatures can kill all life stages of bed bugs, with most treatments requiring just one session and showing noticeable results.
However, heat treatment requires specialized equipment and professional work, wile makes it one of the most expensive options for bed bug removal. Follow-up measures are also necessary, as heat treatment won’t prevent recurring infestations.
Aprehend Treatment
What Is It?
Apprehend treatment is a biopesticide that’s manufactured using Beauveria bassiana, a natural fungal spore. Professional exterminators may use this treatment for eradicating or preventing bed bug infestations.
How Does It Work?
Beauveria bassiana is a fungus that wipes out bed bugs by infecting them. Technicians will spray the formula in bands across the affected area, creating barriers that the bugs have to cross. When they do, the spores stick to them and spread to other bugs as well.
Efficiency of This Treatment
This treatment is non-toxic for people and pets, and it stays effective for around 3 months. The Aprehend treatment is a popular choice, especially when there are bed bugs in difficult spots. While the killing is not instant, it significantly lowers the bed bug population. However, the method does require precise, professional application.
Chemical Treatment
What Is It?
Chemical treatment means using insecticides to kill off bed bugs. There are a variety of options within this choice; you may opt for OTC solutions or go for professional applications.
How Does It Work?
This method entails applying chemical insecticides to the cracks, seams, furniture joints, and wherever a bed bug may be. It mostly targets live adult bugs and nymphs. Eggs may also be eliminated if you use the right formula. This option may call for several applications and a combination of dust, aerosols, and liquid sprays.
Efficiency of This Treatment
Bed bug chemical treatment is more effective with a professional application. Certain formulas are stranger than others, so results can vary. The treatments may also take some days or several weeks, according to the formula used. On the downside, though, you may find the bed bug population developing resistance to the chemicals over time.
DIY Cleaning Methods
What Is It?
DIY methods usually involve vacuuming, washing fabric in hot water, decluttering, and steam cleaning to prevent or eradicate bed bugs.
How Does It Work?
Vacuuming helps to hoover up bed bugs in the mattress or anywhere else in your area. It won’t kill the bugs, but you can tightly seal the vacuum bags and throw them away.
Another method involves washing infected sheets or clothes with very hot water, which would kill both bugs and eggs. For similar results, steam cleaners are great for carpets, mattresses, furniture, etc. Also, regular decluttering is one way to limit places where bed bugs can hide and multiply.
Efficiency of This Treatment
DIY methods are good for controlling the spread of bed bugs, but they can only control the infestations. The results will vary in effectiveness, so they’re best reserved for maintaining cleanliness between treatments.
Mattress Covers/Bed Bug Covers
What Is It?
Mattress covers or encasements are covers that can trap bed bugs and eliminate them.
How Does It Work?
After you zip up the covers, bed bugs are trapped in the mattress. They will eventually perish due to not eating. Quality covers are immune to bites and won’t let the bugs escape.
Efficiency of This Treatment
Mattress pavers might help to contain bed bugs, but they only apply to certain areas at a time. They’re not for eliminating whole infestations.
Bed Bug Powder
What Is It?
Bed bug powder, such as Diatomaceous Earth, is used for killing bed bugs through damage to their exoskeleton. It can be a DIY solution or carried out by professionals. Diatomaceous Earth is made by crushing fossilized algae, so it’s a natural option.
How Does It Work?
The method involved sprinkling the powder in places where bed bugs may thrive. It will then control the bed bug population by sticking to them and dehydrating their bodies. The bed bugs will perish after a few days. While the powder isn’t toxic for humans or pets, it may irritate and cause coughing if inhaled.
Efficiency of This Treatment
Bed bug powder can eliminate bed bugs over time, even killing them at the egg and larva stages. The work is slow, however, so it might take several days or weeks to notice the difference. You might want to consider using powder along with one or two other treatments.
Fumigation
What Is It?
The fumigation is usually carried out by professionals, who seal the area and fill it with gas to kill off bed bugs. It’s the usual choice for severe cases where other treatments are no longer effective.
How Does It Work?
The whole affected area is sealed, after which the team releases a gas that can kill bed bugs in every hiding spot. The process might take some hours or even a few days. Residents and their pets have to move out of the area until the treatment is complete.
Efficiency of This Treatment
Fumigation is effective where all other treatments fail. It will deliver immediate results, but it is also costly and disruptive to your routine. That’s why most people save it for the worst cases.
When Do You Need a Bed Bug Exterminator?
Some may try DIY methods for eliminating bed bugs in their home or office. If you’ve tried some but still see the identifying signs of bed bugs (dark spots, bites, blood stains), a professional exterminator is the need of the hour. Bed bugs might be active even after professional treatments, which means the infestation is especially stubborn.
Remember, bed bugs can grow in number very quickly. No more waiting around; call us today for a free inspection from the best Bed Bug Exterminators in Toronto. Get your peace back before things get worse!
Final Thoughts
There are many answers to the question of how to permanently get rid of bed bugs. We’ve looked at a range of treatments here, but professional heat treatment is probably the best one yet. It’s perfect for eliminating bed bugs in all forms and within just one day. For a more effective result, you may consider combining heat treatment with an Aprehend application or a chemical treatment to eliminate any stray surviving bugs. Prevention is better than a cure, so DIY methods like mattress covers are great options.
Ready to get rid of bed bugs once and for all? Call us to schedule a professional free inspection and get your customized treatment plan today!
FAQ’s
The initial signs of an infestation include dark spots of fecal matter on fabric, small stains of blood from crushed bugs, and red bumps on the skin from their bites.
Bed bugs can be present in furniture, baseboards, electrical outlets, wall cracks, and many other places.
DIY methods might be able to remove very small, contained cases of bed bugs, but they’d probably leave the unhatched eggs behind. With professional treatment by a qualified team, you’re sure of full bed bug removal with a warranty.
Eliminating bed bugs might take a few days or up to a few weeks. The exact time depends on the size of the affected area, the treatment method employed, and the extent of the infestation.
Bed bug bites are not usually infectious or otherwise harmful. However, they can cause bumps on the skin, irritation, allergic reactions, and compromise your peace of mind.
Yes, bed bugs can go without feeding for some weeks or even months if their surroundings are cool and dry enough. In some conditions, they might even live for a year without feeding.
Heat treatment is probably the most effective bed bug solution today. It’s safe, long-lasting, and can kill bed bugs in all their life stages. In just one session, the heat permeates all creases and folds, killing eggs, nymphs, and active live bugs.
Heat treatment is one of the safest remedies for bed bugs today. You only need to remove items that might get damaged by a high temperature, including sensitive plants, electronics, candles, etc.
If the mattress covers are high-quality and kept sealed, they don’t need frequent replacement. 2-3 years is the average, but any infestation or signs of wear and tear may signal earlier replacement.
While some DIY methods may help reduce the number of bed bugs in your property, you need professionals dealing with bed bugs to completely remove them.