Have you ever had a bed bug problem at home? Bed frames, couches, carpets, mattresses, and box springs are good hiding spots for bed bugs. These blood-sucking tiny creatures threaten children and are a real dilemma for a parent or homeowners in general.
Bed bugs are small resilient creatures that feed upon blood and are excellent at detecting body heat. They might be tiny creatures, but they are a headache when it becomes infested. However, there are now a lot of procedures to fight against bed bugs nowadays, and one of them is heat treatment. But it still raises the question of whether heat treatment is an effective way to kill bed bugs.
What is the cost of heat treatment for bed bugs?
The price of having a heat treatment can differ depending on the case or the severity of bed bugs infestation. Also, there are different types of heat treatment for bed bugs, and the size of your home can also be a factor in how much your total cost will be.
But before the procedure continues, an expert should visit your home first and check all the areas with bed bugs. They will provide a free estimate based on your situation and the heat treatment you used.
How does heat treatment work?
Does heat treatment works, and how does heat treatment able to kill bed bugs? That’s the question many homeowners ask when they don’t have experience with heat treatment.
Bed bugs are sensitive to high temperatures. They can die from exposure to a hot area for an extended time. Once the procedure is executed correctly, heat treatment is a very effective way to eliminate bed bugs.
Bed bug heat treatment involves raising the temperature of an infested area to lethal levels for bed bugs. Specialized heaters are used to gradually heat the space to approximately 120-140°F (49-60°C). The sustained high temperature penetrates furniture, mattresses, and other hiding spots, killing bed bugs at all life stages, including eggs. The process typically takes several hours and may require multiple treatments for complete eradication. Heat treatment is effective as it reaches all corners, cracks, and crevices where bed bugs hide, ensuring comprehensive elimination without chemicals.
Does heat treatment cause damage to your home?
When performed by trained professionals, heat treatment for bed bugs should not cause significant damage to your home. However, it’s important to note that some materials and items may be sensitive to high temperatures. Heat-sensitive items such as electronics, certain plastics, wax-based items, and specific artwork may need to be removed or protected during treatment. Also, proper precautions are taken to ensure the temperature is carefully controlled to avoid any fire risk or other hazards.
Consulting with experienced bed bug exterminator in Atlanta will help ensure that the heat treatment is conducted safely and with minimal risk of damage to your home. Always wait for your heat treatment expert’s signal before returning home for your safety.
What should you remove before having bed bug heat treatment?
Before having a heat treatment for bed bugs, it is generally recommended to remove or protect certain heat-sensitive items. Here are some examples of items that are commonly advised to be removed or safeguarded:
- Fur Babies/Pets
- Houseplants
- Alcohol, food, fresh meat, and other food that will melt in a hot temperature.
- Medicines
- Perishable Food
- Flammable materials, firearms, and ammunition
- Items made of wax or plastic.
- Aerosols
- Candles
- Electronic devices and appliances
Before starting your heat treatment, it’s better to talk to your bed bugs expert to determine which items must be removed and which can stay throughout the process. You can place other items inside storage or outside your home while the treatment is undergoing, especially if it’s vulnerable to heat.
Remember, you should inform your bed bug expert regarding these materials since they might be the cause of bed bugs. It is a way to stop the bed bugs from reintroducing to your home after the treatment.
Does steam help to get rid of bed bugs?
Yes, it can help remove bed bugs, but not thoroughly. The typical steam that homeowners have access to is for dry cleaning and carpet cleaners. Steam is another way to eliminate adult bed bugs, their larvae, and eggs. Still, using your standard equipment will not reach the lethal temperature for bed bugs to vanish. Steam treatment works by exposing bed bugs and their eggs to high temperatures, typically around 160-180°F (71-82°C), which is lethal to them.
It’s important to note that steam treatment alone may not be enough to completely eliminate a severe bed bug infestation. It is often recommended to combine steam treatment with other integrated pest management (IPM) techniques, such as thorough cleaning, vacuuming, and the use of appropriate insecticides or other professional treatments, for comprehensive and long-term control of bed bugs.
What should you do if you see signs of bed bugs in your home?
Once you see signs of bed bugs in your home, please don’t wait for them to increase their numbers. Act fast to get rid of them. Always contact a professional. It’s better to eliminate the source instantly rather than take homemade procedures that will not eliminate the source of bed bugs. And if you ever need an effective way to get rid of these creatures, call for bed bug heat treatment in Atlanta.
