Bed Bug heat treatment – Australian Times

Despite their name bed bugs can in fact live almost anywhere in your home. There is a simple, if disturbing, reason that infestations are more likely to occur in the bedroom however. Bed bugs are nocturnal parasites that feed on human blood hence it makes sense for them to be close to their hosts and set up home in, on and around the furniture in the bedroom. They can also hide out in small cracks and crevices in walls and flooring. It is for that reason that bed bug heat treatment can often be one of the most effective solutions to the problem.

Well, anything hotter than about 120 Fahrenheit is pretty much lethal for bed bugs. Unlike some insects they are not well equipped to deal with extremes in temperature, hot or cold. Heat treatment can be focused on individual items via a hot box or applied to the whole room or even the whole home depending upon the severity of the infestation. The reason heat is an effective solution is because it is able to penetrate everything including small cracks and crevices that are not otherwise accessible.

Whilst a hot box can cleanse smaller items there are several factors to take into consideration such as how the box is heated. If this is not done correctly it can easily cause fires and so must be approached with caution. There is also the risk that the heat may damage some items. A professional pest control expert will be able to tell you which items are suitable for a hot box and which are not.

Another form of heat that can kill bed bugs is steam treatment. Steam, however, tends not to penetrate as deeply as other heat treatments and so there is a risk that, depending how embedded the colony is, the steam will not reach the bugs hiding out at the deepest levels. Steaming works well, however, with bedding items such as blankets, sheets and pillows.

Dryers are another potential bed bug heat treatment. If possible, wash clothes, bedding and other small items first then put them in the dryer at the highest possible temperature setting for at least twenty minutes. This will ensure that the heat kills any and all bed bugs hiding out in your fabrics. Items that are recommended for dry cleaning only are usually okay in a dryer without being washed first but you should always check the manufacturers specific laundering instructions. It is also important to note there are some items that are not suitable for washing or drying.

Costs vary depending on the specific type of bed bug heat treatment being employed, the size of the infestation and where you live. A lot of pest control companies will offer you a free consultation and a free estimate of the potential costs involved. Bed bug heat treatment can be an effective solution to a nasty infestation of bed bugs.

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Bed Bug heat treatment - Australian Times