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“Don’t let the bed bugs bite”, says everyone. Well, that’s easier said than done. Bed bugs are tiny creatures that suck blood from human victims. Most often dismissed as a nuisance, bed bugs have become a serious problem in homes as well as offices and luxury establishments.
This infestation has occurred mainly for two reasons. First, there is a notable increase in the number of individuals traveling to, and those immigrating from, foreign countries. These persons unknowingly bring these insects along with them. The second reason may be due to the fact that bed bugs have become immune to the pesticides and insecticides being used.
The extermination of bed bugs started in the 1940s and 1950s. Then, an insecticide termed DDT was used and was highly effective in killing the bed bug population. DDTs were banned in the 1960s for their dangerous effects on the environment. Since then, bed bugs have been waiting ever patiently to return to our homes.
General spraying of beds, walls, furniture and floors with DDT was the solution for exterminating bed bugs. However, modern law now prevents this form of remedy. Exterminating bed bugs now needs a more thorough treatment as the insects have become savvier.
Bed bugs hide in mattresses, throw pillows, beneath the sofa, in the cracks of furniture and everywhere else you can think of. This is why extermination is such tedious job. Every possible place for bed bugs to live must be searched and turned over before starting the actual exterminating process. This is to be sure that there will be no bed bugs left once the treatment is complete.
It is wise to call a professional, rather than try to exterminate bed bugs on your own. You may end up harming yourself rather than fixing the current problem. There are a few things, however, that you can do in preparation for extermination:
– Clothing and all bed linens including blankets, sheets and pillowcases must be washed before the treatment begins.
– Wrap beddings in plastic and take them outside to rest in the sun.
– Vacuum every corner and cranny that you can find in the home.
– Seal all gaps in floorboards, furniture and cracks where the bed bugs can hide.
Once you’ve prepped your home, step aside and allow the professionals come in for a proper extermination.
The next step in the process of eradicating bed bugs is the application of insecticide spray on furniture. There are different types of spray for every kind of surface, including carpets and mattresses. A number of these chemicals are odorless and leave little to no residue behind. All professionals, of course, wear protective gear while exterminating bed bugs.
The complete eradication of bed bugs is a tedious work that requires a lot of patience. These pests live in tiny cracks that are hard to reach with pest control products. In addition, these wee insects can survive months without food, so they are happy to hide away indefinitely. Ensure that all the areas have been sprayed properly is the only way to ensure an effective extermination.
After the surfaces have been sprayed with insecticide, the next step is to use insecticidal dust. This dusting is very vital, because this is what kills many of the well-hidden bed bugs. The dust reaches for those smaller areas that the spray could not cover.
The whole process of exterminating bed bugs can take a few days to a few weeks, depending on the infestation. Years ago, the job was done more swiftly with the use of DDTs. Now, the procedure is more targeted and thorough, although it does take longer.
Of course, this doesn’t imply that the modern procedure for exterminating bed bugs is less effective. The business has changed over the years and today’s professionals must be considerate of the patrons’ needs, being especially careful with their possessions.
Houses are not the only buildings involved with bed bug infestations. Hotels, motels, second-hand and vintage shops,condos, dormitories and apartments are prone to be bed bug battlefields. Careful property maintenance can greatly decrease the likelihood of bed bug infestation.
If you are called to fight, use the yellow pages as your best defense, and call a professional.
Tagged with: bed bugs control • pests control
Filed under: Bed Bugs