Bed Bug Treatment & Removal | Bed Bug Exterminators

The Two Species of Bed Bugs

While bed bugs get lumped into one category, there are two species. They are the Cimex lectularius and Cimex hemipterus. However, in New Jersey and the rest of the US, the hemipterus is the one you’ll most likely battle in your home.

While it’s uncomfortable and downright frightening to think of bugs crawling on you while you sleep, the good news is that they don’t transmit diseases. While roaches might spread things like E. coli and listeria, bed bugs are relatively harmless.

The only thing known to occur with these pests is allergic reactions to the bites. You could get an infection if you scratch the bites and bacteria gets into the sores.

Treatment and Removal Methods

If you confide your problem with bed bugs to a friend or family member, you’ll likely get all kinds of advice. Some might tell you to use essential oils, while others are adamant that you call a pest control professional. Here are the most common treatment methods, their effectiveness, and approximate cost.

1. Chemical Treatments

Effectiveness: Good

Cost: $250-$800

What’s Involved: Chemical treatments involve using pesticides to eradicate the bugs. There are three most used chemicals: neonicotinoids, pyrethrins, and pyrethroids.

Chemicals are one way to treat household pests like bed bugs, but they have limitations. Chemicals are sometimes concerning because they can pose health risks. Homes, where there are people with compromised breathing systems, children, older people, or pets, should use another, safer method.

Additionally, it may take several applications to see any real progress using these methods, as bed bugs like to hide to escape the chemicals.

2. Heat Treatments

Effectiveness: Excellent

Cost: $2,000 – $4,000

What’s Involved: Heat treatment is one of the most effective treatments for bed bugs. It’s a non-chemical approach that’s safe and helps treat resistant cases.

By raising the temperature in the home to above 120 degrees Fahrenheit, it can penetrate those hard-to-reach areas. Bed bugs can hide in cracks in the wall, and chemicals can escape them. Though it’s costly to have this treatment done, it’s the best for those tricky situations where the bugs have been treatment-resistant.

3. Steam Treatment

Effectiveness: Good

Cost: $2,000 – $4,000

What’s Involved: Steam treatment is much like heat treatment but safer in apartment buildings and shared dwellings. It’s also chemical-free and uses high temperatures to kill bugs and their eggs. Using steam on surfaces and fabrics is suitable for salvaging furniture, but the only downside is that it doesn’t always penetrate the materials deeply. This service is not as popular as the heat treatments, so it’s unavailable in all areas.

4. Cold Treatment

Effectiveness: Excellent

Cost: $2,000 – $4,000

What’s Involved: The reverse of heat treatment is cold treatment. If using heat isn’t an option, freezing the bugs out may be the next best thing. This procedure can be effective but may require prolonged exposure and more so than the heat requires.

Another issue is that some items cannot be exposed to such temperatures for extended periods. While it’s an option, it’s not one that’s widely used in New Jersey.

Do-It-Yourself Methods

Various DIY methods exist that claim to tackle bed bugs and their eggs. These products have significant limitations, as they depend on the size of the infestation and the home being treated. While DIY methods may suit minor infestations, severe cases often require professional intervention.

1. Chemical Sprays

Effectiveness: Limited

Cost: Affordable, usually $5-$20 a can

What’s Involved: You can pick up chemical sprays that promise significant results at any local hardware store in New Jersey. The only caveat is that these chemical sprays have limited potential. Anyone within the home with breathing issues, pets, and young children seems to be more susceptible to the effects of chemicals.

So, in many instances, it’s not even an option. Additionally, you can throw $50-$100 down the drain trying to fix a problem that these chemicals can’t resolve.

2. Mattress Encasements

Effectiveness: Very Limited

Cost: Affordable, usually $25-$100

What’s Involved: Mattress protectors do a great job protecting the mattress but do nothing to stop an infestation. The bugs can ravage other areas of the home, but the mattress encasement will only cover the bed. It’s nice to safeguard the furniture, but it should be used with other products.

3. DIY Steamers

Effectiveness: Modest for surface treatments

Cost: Affordable, under $50

What’s Involved: Many people buy a simple steamer used for cleaning to use in their home. The theory is good, but the result is lackluster. Steamers can kill bugs they come in contact with, but it won’t get them all.

Nothing prohibits a bug from running off into a crack and going undetected. While a small steamer will kill bugs, it’s not powerful enough to get them all at once.

Professional Exterminators Are the Answer

Having a professional on the job is beneficial when it comes to bed bugs. These individuals play a crucial role in eradicating widespread and stubborn infestations. It’s challenging and expensive for the average person to get the tools and have the knowledge and expertise to tackle these bugs effectively.

• Inspection – The first thing done is inspecting the home to verify the infestation. The technician needs to see the size of the problem and locate any hiding spots utilized by the bugs.
• Tailored Treatment Plans – After the inspection, the next step is developing a treatment plan. Since no two households or infestations are the same, each plan must be specific to your needs and the home’s.
• Treatment – Depending on the treatment methods chosen, you’ll need to prepare for the big day. The treatment will be given and bring hopeful relief.
• Follow-Up Care – A technician will return for a follow-up checkup once the treatment has taken place. They need to see that the treatment worked and that bed bugs were eliminated. If they see any activity, a follow-up treatment may be required.

Preventative Methods Help Keep Infestations at Bay

It’s essential to understand the types of treatments available, the cost of each one, and their effectiveness. Dealing with bed bugs is a challenging task.

To manage these bugs, you must have a strategic approach and be knowledgeable about these pests. While many people turn to DIY methods because they’re inexpensive, they’re not typically effective.

While some chemicals may work for minor infestations, severe cases require care like heat treatment. When bed bugs infest many areas in the home, and they’ve taken over, it pays to have a professional bed bug exterminator handling things.

Homeowners need to stay informed about these bugs and their habits. Taking proactive measures can help you maintain control over your home and have a bed-bug-free living space.

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