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 BED
BUG TREATMENTS
In
what settings can bed bugs be found?
Bed bugs are found in all types
of dwellings and transportation vehicles
including single family homes, apartments,
public housing, hotels and motels, movie
theaters, buses and trains, elderly
care facilities, hospitals, even airplanes.
Each of these situations presents unique
challenges.
What's
the best way to control bed bugs?
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1)
Controlling bed bugs is difficult and
time consuming. Communication
and educating one's self plays a very
important part in any bed bug control
program. Understanding all areas
of bed bugs, from what they are, how
infestations are established and control
measures used to eliminate them.
It is essential to cooperate and assist
in the preparation of the rooms and
furnishings for treatment. Review
the necessary steps to manage the infestation;
understanding that it will require several
follow up visits to completely eliminate
the bed bug infestation.
2)
A thorough inspection should be made
to dtermine whether bed bugs are present
and if so, where they are hiding.
Bed bugs spend most of their time hiding
in cracks and crevices near the hosting
site. Items may need moved and
disassembled while searching, including
beds, night stands, chairs, carpets
and rugs. The professional can
use flushing agents in cracks and crevices
and this is also helpful in finding
harborage sites. No potential
harborage site should go unchecked.
Once bed bugs are found, a treatment
strategy can be prescribed.
3)
Preparation is a vital part of all bed
bug treatments. Preparation impacts
how well the treatment can be performed
and whether it will be successful.
Some important steps you can expect
in preparation are:
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-
 Stripping
all beds down to bare mattress and
box springs.
- Bedding, blankets, clothes
and clutter should be removed from
furniture and floor for cleaning.
- Floors should be vacuumed
thoroughly. Including the area
under beds, night stands and other
furniture. Brush attachments
should be used when vacuuming along
baseboards and in cracks, crevices,
mattresses, box springs and other
furniture.
- Discarding severly infested
mattresses and upholstered furniture.
- All wall decorations and
pictures should be taken down.
Draperies and curtains should be removed
and laundered.
- Electronics such as TV's,
radios, computers and alarm clocks
should be removed from the room and
placed i tightly sealed plastic bags.
These items should not be treated
with conventional insecticides and
should either be discarded or either
be dealt with by someone that cleans
and services these devices.
Exposing items to extreme heat or
cold temperatures may be effective
option to killing all stages of bed
bugs. Some goods may be temerature
sensitive and could be damaged.
 What
to expect during a bed bug treatment.
To
ensure that no harborage areas will
go untreated, the room will likely be
broke down into sections. Wall
voids are sometimes drilled and dusted,
and utilitly switch covers can be removed
to allow dust to be injected in wall
voids.
All items mounted to walls such as pictures, artwork and headboards are
removed. Crown moldings and chair railings, baseboards, window and door
moldings will carefully have crack and crevice treatment.
For mattresses and box springs, if the infestation is light, the bed bug
proof mattress covers may be suggested (obtained through the professional pest
management company), but most of the time it will be required to dispose
of them. Even crack and crevices of the bed frames, platforms, head/foot
boards will be treated. Cabinets, dressers, nightstands, tables, etc.
will be turned upside down, drawers removed to access all areas.
 Expect
follow-up visits.
Re-inspection and if required, re-treatment will usually take place after seven
days or so. Eggs will continue to hatch following treatment and some
emerging nymphs may find their way into harborage areas left untreated.
For heavy infestations several followup visits will be required.
NOTE:
These inspection and treatment guidelines
are praticed by The Wheeldon Company
Pest Management Professionals.
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