Daily Archives: November 8, 2013

One of the non-chemical methods for killing bed bugs is to apply high temperatures to them. When done correctly, this can be a total extermination process because it can kill not only the adult bed bugs that plague sleepers at night, but also the eggs of these insects. This means that both the current infestation and potential future ones can be eliminated, though of course the use of a steamer does not guarantee that the premises cannot become re-infested at some future date.

Challenges associated with using a bed bug steamer

No eradication method is perfect, however. When it comes to steam-killing bed bugs, one challenge is that the steamer must produce high enough temperatures to be effective. This generally means using a steamer specifically engineered for insect infestations. The small, hand-held steamer model that you use to get rid of wrinkles when you travel is simply not appropriate for use in a bed bug eradication effort.

Another challenge to steaming your bed bug troubles away is the fact that steam only works well when you have the right kind of surface to apply it to. Steam can be used very successfully on a variety of surfaces such as:

Note that the list above contains both soft and hard surfaces. It is not true that steaming works adequately only on one or the other.

On the other hand, there are some places that dont take well to being steamed. For example, if bed bugs are lurking inside electrical outlets or on the interior of your appliances, you will need to use another method to kill them.

Steam as part of a multi-pronged approach

Because not all areas can be effectively steamed and also because some individual bugs or eggs may be missed even in an extremely thorough steaming operation most experts recommend that steam cleaning be used only in combination with other kinds of methods.

Home owners have a wide variety of choices when it comes to companion methods that will help to make their steaming efforts all the more effective. For example:

One important caveat to keep in mind is that the use of any toxic chemicals must be separated from the use of steam since the last thing anyone wants to do is cause chemicals to become even more inhalable. Chemicals are best used when the home owner can walk away for some time in order to allow them to do their work and then dissipate.

Read the original:
Bed Bug Steamers | Bed Bugs

Myth: You cant see a bed bug. Reality: You can see adult bed bugs, nymphs (immature bed bugs) and eggs with without a magnifying glass or microscope. An adult bed bug is about the size on an apple seed and a nymph is about the size of a sesame seed.

Myth: Bed bugs only live in dirty places. Reality: Bed bugs are not attracted to dirt and grime; they are attracted to warmth, blood, and carbon dioxide. However, houses and rooms full of clutter offer bed bugs more hiding places.

Myth: Bed bugs can transmit diseases to humans. Reality: Bed bugs do not transmit diseases to humans. Lab tests have shown that it is unlikely that the insect is capable of infecting its host.

Myth: Bed bugs wont come out if the room is brightly lit. Reality: While bed bugs prefer darkness, keeping the light on at night wont deter these pests from biting you.

Myth: Pesticide applications alone will easily kill and get rid of bed bug infestations. Reality: Bed bug control is difficult and is most effective when a complete treatment approach that uses a variety of methods and constant monitoring are used. The proper use of pesticides is likely one big component of the treatment approach, but will not get rid of the problem alone.

Myth: If I throw my bed and other bed bug infested furniture out, I will no longer have a bed bug problem. Reality: They may be called bed bugs but they don't just infest a bed or other furniture in the bed room. Bed bugs can hide in any dark crack or crevice in a room. Getting rid of furniture before it has been inspected and treated by an experienced pest control professional can be a costly mistake and will not solve the problem. Almost everything can be treated to remove bed bugs but if not properly handled the removal of furniture can simple spread an infestation to other areas of a home.

Myth: I couldn't possibly have bed bugs because I have not been anywhere that has bed bugs. Reality: Unfortunately travel, whether outside of the country or within the U.S., is not the only possible source of bed bugs. Bed bugs can be found in a variety of locations such as in hotels, motels, hostels, movie theaters, public transportation, residential housing complexes, private residences, workplaces, etc. Bed bugs are great hitchhikers and can easily be brought into your home if you have visited a bed bug infested location or have brought bed bug infested items into your home such as second-hand furniture or luggage.

Myth: It can't be bed bugs because I get bitten and nobody else in my house does. Reality: Not everyone will have a reaction to a bed bug bite. In fact, it is possible that two people that sleep in the same bed are both bitten by bed bugs and one will breakout with welts or sores as a result of the bed bug bites and other person will not. Some people will react immediately to bed bugs bites, while for others it may take a few days.

Myth: Bed bugs can be killed by cold temperatures. Reality: It is true that temperatures below freezing will kill bed bugs, but the exposure to the freezing temperatures must be for an extended period of time. It is unlikely that temperatures in Utah will be cold enough outside (except for certain times during the winter months) to kill bed bugs.

Myth: You can feel when a bed bug is biting you. Reality: You usually will not feel it when a bed bug is biting you, because while biting you and feeding, a bed bug injects a saliva that contains an anesthetic (a numbing chemical) and an anti-clotting agent so your blood with flow freely. You likely won't feel a thing.

More:
Bed Bug Myths - Utah Department of Health