BED BUG TREATMENTS
Sleep tight and don’t let the bed bugs bite… That rhyme many of us heard as we were being tucked into bed at night is coming to reality.
This saying actually originated back in the 1800’s, but most of us considered it imaginary. According to the National Pest Management Association, bed bugs have been a household pest issue for more than 3,300 years. A recent NPMA survey found one in five people in the U.S. have had an infestation or know someone who has recently encountered them. This recent resurgence has created significant concern for many Americans.
Bed bugs can be brought home from anywhere people congregate like schools, hotels, restaurants, doctors offices, movie theaters and churches. The most common method of introduction actually happens when they hitchhike a ride on your friends and family.
Controlling, let alone eradicating, this pest is extremely difficult. But, rest assured, there are ways to kick these unwelcome freeloaders out of your home. A well-informed client, working with a trained pest management professional, provides the most effective team in combating bed bugs.
When it comes to bed bug treatments, there are two options — chemical and environmental.
Both are nearly equal in price; however, that can be deceiving.
CHEMICAL TREATMENTS
Chemical treatments are the most evasive of the bed bug treatments on the market. It can work well with proper treatment, attention to detail, and thorough preparation. It often requires multiple treatments, which means doing all of the prep work time and time again.
Preparation for chemical treatments is a must — you won’t have success without it. All fabrics must be removed. Clothing, bedding, etc., should be placed in some sort of containers such as garbage bags to stop the risk of infesting your car or other areas. The next step is drying all of these items at the laundromat using temperatures of 119°F for 1 hour 40 minutes or 125°F for 40 minutes. Place the dried garments in new unused bags with no tears or holes for storage until the infestation is eradicated.
All infested upholstered furniture must be removed and disposed of properly. Bed bugs are often found deep inside these items. Since chemical treatment is a surface treatment, effectively treating where the bed bugs are hiding would be extremely difficult… if not impossible. This can be a huge unknown cost that should be calculated into the final price. If chemically treating multiple attached units, like apartments, all adjacent units should be treated at the same time. This is because of the dispersion from the preparation and chemicals being used.
Another downside, chemical treatments “DO NOT KILL” the eggs. Most chemicals for bed bugs are repellents. Although, they will kill bed bugs, they will also disperse and repel — pushing the infestation into places that they would not normally live; such as, behind pictures, book bindings, artificial plants, and crown molding… making the infestation extremely hard to eliminate.
The good thing about chemical treatment is increased longevity due to its properties and can last months if done properly. But — remember chemical treatments will not kill the eggs.
ENVIRONMENTAL TREATMENTS
One of the main methods of environmental treatments is using forced heated air. We’ve found this method to be more thorough, less difficult for consumers, a lot less inconvenient, and the least expensive. For example, if you’d like to keep your furniture and skip the cost of re-furnishing your home, this is the way to go.
Only one treatment is needed when using forced hot air at the proper temperature. Any additional treatments would be due to a re-infestation caused by an external source. If this is the case, you’ll want to find and eliminate the culprit.
What makes this heat treatment so effective? Bed bugs love of warmth. There is virtually no dispersal until it is too late. Plus, this high heat will actually kill the eggs. Forced heated air treatments usually take 6 to 8 hours with average temperatures around 155° F.
Essentially, your entire home or building will be turned into a heat chamber making it possible to wipe out the infestation in all areas.
Another plus… preparation is kept to a minimum. Forced heated air treatments eliminate the need to remove clothing and other fabric items including upholstered furniture. You can even keep your bed!
Through years of training and experience, we at Clark Exterminating, realize that both types of treatments have their own special attributes. High heat offers complete control of all insects with one treatment, minimal loss of time and retention your property. And non-repellent chemical treatments increase longevity…
Clark Exterminating Co., Inc. bed bug treatments offer complete control, with a 100% success rate, in this combination. So, why not have both? Call us at 501-758-0322 for a free inspection and estimate.
And remember, at Clark Exterminating, THE BUG STOPS HERE!
Little Rock: 501-228-0322
North Little Rock: 501-758-0322
Conway: 501-329-0396
Benton: 501-776-1388
Bryant: 501-847-1388
Jacksonville/Cabot: 501-843-1322
Hot Springs: 501-623-2335
