Bed Bug Control Through Heating and Freezing Methods

Bed bug control is all about being persistent, creative, and trying not to panic. These critters are some of the most resilient pests, and can be even more difficult to eradicate from your home than the equally as dreaded cockroach. If you're tired of sleeping with insects, here are some ideas that you can try to help you squash the population and fry any residual eggs that may be lying around the house. Remember that even the best treatments often take a few attempts until full effects are noticeable. Heat Like all living things, these pests can't survive in extreme temperatures. That doesn't mean set fire to the infestation site, but it will mean hiring a bed bug control expert to help you in most cases. For DIY jobs, some people try to set their mattress and other infested furniture out in the hot sun for a few days. Then they'll put anything washable into the dryer on its highest setting. While this should work in theory, the outdoor sun usually isn't hot enough and the critters will simply crawl to a cooler space to hide. A very hot dryer can sometimes help rid clothing of the insects, but if they are not removed from the entire home they will just return. Exterminators use special heat devices that fill the home with air that can reach up to 160 degrees Fahrenheit. To ensure that they get all eggs, adults, and any in hibernation, they will monitor the temperature and move it around the entirety of the home so no spot is missed. The benefits of this treatment are it can be very effective and there are no chemicals or damage to your belongings (although you should remove any delicates and electronics). However, it may take a few treatments before all are killed. Freeze Freezing is another method of bed bug control and works similarly to the heat concept, but it can be a bit trickier. If you're fortunate enough to have a large freezer at home, you can bundle up your belongings in a protective bag and then toss them in for a day or two. Most people can only do this with clothes and linens as there isn't enough room for anything else. If you live in a climate where temperatures get below freezing, leaving a mattress of furniture outdoors for a few days might work, but you'll have to be careful that it doesn't get damaged from the moisture. Professional bed bug control exterminators use CO2 liquid that sprays out like snow to turn pests into harmless icicles. The formula is non-toxic and sprayed in layers across the infested area to ensure all crevices are treated. Once the snow hits the surface, it turns to gas, which means there won't be any sticky mess left to clean up. It can also help to kill off cockroaches. Like heat treatment, this may take several sessions until all traces of the pest are eradicated. Laundry and linens should all be treated additionally at a dry cleaners.