Bed Bug Heat Treatment Cost & Considerations

Various Treatment Options

When you discover a bed bug infestation in your home, you want treatment quickly. You may run to your local hardware store and buy sprays that promise excellent results. First, before you waste one penny of your hard-earned money, you should know that bed bugs are known to be resistant to chemicals.

To think that a little bottle of chemical spray can fight off a major infestation is irrational. It would help if you had something powerful to break through the resistance and allow you to regain control of your home. Most people won’t call exterminators until they feel the situation is beyond their control.

However, if you only call when the situation is in its infancy, the remedy might be easier on your wallet and sanity. Calling for help should be your first step, as there are options that a pest control professional can do that you cannot, as we have equipment, we regularly use. One of the best ways to treat bedbugs is to use a heat treatment, but you won’t be able to do it without assistance from a trained technician.

Why Thermal Remediation Is So Effective?

Though bedbugs are hardy and can adapt to various temperatures, they can’t sustain life when the thermometer rises above 113°F. So, professionals strive to raise the temperatures in your home to around 120°F to ensure they kill off all the bugs and their eggs.

Ironically, bedbugs are more sensitive to higher temperatures than colder ones, making this a great treatment option. Here are some scientific reasons why thermal remediation is a wise choice:

1. It’s a Comprehensive Solution

When you use heat to kill the bugs, it also gets the eggs and all stages of life. Some sprays might kill the adult bugs but won’t touch the nymphs. Heat will wipe the slate clean and destroy anything in its path.

2. Heat Gets into Those Hiding Places

Another wonderful thing about raising the temperature inside your home is that heat can penetrate areas that a spray might not reach. Since bedbugs like to hide in all the nooks and crannies in a home, the heat can reach them no matter where they are hiding.

Heat can get into your furniture, walls, and other areas infested in your home. While there’s the potential that an area might be missed with sprays and other methods, heat ensures that all regions are covered.

3. There’s No Chemical Involvement

While most pest control companies offer eco-friendly options for pest control, there are times when chemicals are necessary for the desired outcome. Thankfully, when you use heat treatment, there are no chemicals to consider. Your family and pets won’t have to worry about breathing difficulties or any other potential side effects from a round of treatment.

4. It Provides High Success Rates

When trained professionals conduct thermal treatments, the success rate is stellar. Using high temperatures and getting into all those areas is beneficial for eradicating the infestation. Additionally, this method also reduces the probability of a re-infestation.

5. Heat Treatments Are Quick

Heat treatments are quick and efficient, especially since they only last around 4-8 hours. The duration will vary on several factors, including the size of the infested area, the level of infestation, and the specific equipment being used. Generally, things like insulation, room size, and obstacles that may affect heat distribution must also be considered.

There’s no need to come back and spray and go through the process repeatedly. Once the heat reaches a certain level and remains there for a period, it wipes out anything in its path.

6. There’s Limited Resistance

Unlike chemical treatments that can resist bedbugs, heat has limited resistance. It has everything to do with the physiological processes of these bugs. They cannot adapt to the high-temperature changes, so unlike pesticides that their body can fight off, they don’t stand a chance in the heat.

Why Heat Treatments May Not Work for Some?

While thermal remediation is the most widely used treatment option, sometimes it might not work for your New Jersey home. Here are a few instances:

1. You Live in a Connected Building

Bedbugs can easily penetrate apartments, townhouses, and condos since there’s a connecting wall. However, many landlords may opt for spraying rather than heat treatment due to the risk to all involved. Raising the temperature in the home to around 120°F can directly impact other residents.

While it’s always advisable to treat adjacent structures, some landlords try to cut corners and only treat the problem areas. Raising the temperature to these levels if the apartment next door isn’t being treated means they must also vacate the residence for the treatment period.

2. There’s Inadequate Heat Distribution

Heat distribution into the home is imperative to reach all those hidden areas where they hide. If there are obstacles in the way or areas that the heat cannot penetrate well for lack of circulation, it can allow some bugs to survive.

3. You Didn’t Prepare Properly

Proper preparation must be conducted for the success of the heat treatment. You must remove all clutter so there’s adequate airflow and organize your furniture to enable heat penetration. When you don’t properly prepare, some areas may be shielded from the heat, allowing bedbugs to survive in those untreated areas.

4. Some Species are More Heat Resistant

While bedbugs have a limited ability to develop heat resistance, some evidence suggests specific populations have a higher heat tolerance. If the bedbugs in the infestation exhibit such opposition, the heat treatment may not be as effective in eliminating them.

5. There’s Re-infestation from Adjacent Areas

If adjacent areas or neighboring units have untreated bedbug infestations, there is a risk of re-infestation even after successful heat treatment. Bedbugs can migrate from untreated areas and re-establish an infestation in the treated space.

6. There Was Improper Temperature Monitoring

Pest control professionals must accurately monitor temperatures during the heat treatment to ensure that the desired lethal temperatures are reached and maintained consistently. Some areas may not reach the required temperature threshold if there are inaccuracies or fluctuations, allowing some bedbugs to survive.

7. Treatment Time Was Insufficient

Heat treatments must be conducted sufficiently to ensure that the heat reaches all areas where bedbugs hide, including deep within furniture, walls, and cracks. If the treatment time is not long enough, some bedbugs or eggs may survive, leading to a re-infestation.

Cost Considerations

The one thing on everyone’s mind is how much treatment will cost. Isn’t this why so many people try to go the easy route and get help from the hardware store? Sprays and over-the-counter chemicals may work great on some insects, but it’s not something you should consider for bedbugs.

The cost of thermal remediation for bed bug treatments can vary depending on numerous factors, which include the size of the home, the severity of the infestation, the geographical location, and the company you hire. It is best to consult with local pest control providers to get accurate pricing information for your specific situation.

Consequently, heat treatments are more expensive than traditional chemical methods due to the specialized equipment and expertise required. The cost can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars in this state. More significant properties or severe infestations may require more extensive treatments and, therefore, you’ll incur higher costs.

Remember that the cost of bedbug treatment should not be the sole determining factor in using this method. The treatment’s effectiveness depends on the technicians’ proper application and expertise, so using a reputable company is wise.

When considering the cost, it’s also essential to factor in any additional services that may be included, such as inspections, follow-up visits, or warranties offered to you. Companies may offer package deals or discounts for multiple treatments or bundled services, which can help make the price more affordable.

We always inspect to assess the extent of the problem before providing you with a specific price for our thermal remediation treatment. So, you know upfront what the process will cost you, and there are no surprises when it’s time to pay the bill. Call us today for immediate assistance if you need help with a bedbug infestation in your New Jersey home.

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