There are no magic sprays that will get rid of a bed bug infestation. Using a chemical to get rid of bed bugs will not work unless you also remove clutter, clean and launder everything, seal off hiding places, and follow other, non-chemical steps to control bed bugs.
How Long Does It Take Bed Bugs To Die After Extermination? The treatment process is designed to kill the majority of bed bugs by the time the extermination session is finished, which usually lasts 1-3 hours.
The number of treatments needed to get control is (national average) 3 to 4 treatments. The first step to treating the problem yourself is taking your bed apart. The frame should be completely deconstructed to reach all cracks and crevices. For any unreachable areas, aerosols are useful.
Can bed bugs return even after treatment? Unfortunately, yes, but that is often the result when treatment is applied incorrectly. Remember, just because you can't see them doesn't mean they aren't in your home. Treating the infested area is a start, but it is often a small part of the overall problem.
The Pesticide Specialist explained that some bed bug populations have developed resistance to common insecticides, so certain sprays may be ineffective, no matter how much is used. Over-use or daily pesticide applications should be avoided to prevent the bed bugs from spreading out or developing resistance.
You may continue to sleep in your bed after treatment. Encasements should be put on mattresses and box springs. Any surviving bed bugs in the mattress or box spring will not be able to escape the encasement or bite.
The cracks & crevasses should reach 121° and the ambient air should be held between 130°- 145° Fahrenheit for three hours. After a chemical bed bug treatment, you should see some immediate knock down depending upon the specific chemical that was used. There will likely be a residual up to 7 days.
It can be difficult to eliminate bed bugs, but it's not impossible. Don't throw out all of your things because most of them can be treated and saved. Throwing stuff out is expensive, may spread the bed bugs to other people's homes and could cause more stress.
There can be many reasons for failure of a pesticide treatment to completely control the bed bugs, including: Not finding all the bed bugs. Inadequately preparing area (failure to remove clutter, seal cracks and crevices, etc.).
A bed bug cannot fly, they can only crawl, so chemical treatment makes the most sense. The University of A&M has shown that chemical vs. heat when properly prepared for and carried out by a proficient certified applicator both have a 97% kill rate leaving 3% behind to proliferate.
You should treat every two weeks until activity is gone.
Extreme heat is an effective way to kill bed bugs in all life stages. Generally speaking, it takes about 20 minutes at 118 degrees Fahrenheit to kill them. One method is to use a hand dryer set on high heat. You'll have to hold the dryer in place for about 30 minutes, so this option is best for smaller items.
One of the frequently asked questions is: “when can I be sure the bed bugs are gone?” After three weeks of professional treatment, if you don't notice any signs of infestation like bites, live bugs, fecal matter or casts skins, then it is likely that the bed bug infestation has been controlled.
After your treatment
You must not: enter your home for at least two hours afterwards because the insecticide spray can be harmful to people and pets. vacuum the carpets for at least 15 days to allow the spray time to work.
It may be DEET, oil of lemon eucalyptus or Picaridin. Regardless, you need to wash it off afterward using plain soap and water. It's a chemical, after all. And while chemicals like these are safe when used correctly, there's no need to force your luck by allowing them to remain on skin once you've returned indoors.
If your home is treated with insecticides/chemicals, any bugs caught by the spray will die in a few hours or less. Insecticides are incredibly effective and remain active for several days after use.
It is perfectly fine to resume sleeping on your bed after a bed bug treatment. However, note that you may have to wait for around four to five hours after the treatment to return to the house. Also, ensure to use bed casings before getting on the bed.
Yes, bed bugs can come back after a year.
If you used a DIY treatment that didn't eliminate all the bed bugs in the colony, then there's always the chance that they'll remain in hiding until they've reproduced.
As the temperature throughout the house is slowly cranked up to nearly 120 degrees, the bed bugs don't react – they simply sit by and allow themselves to be killed by the extreme heat. For this reason, a heat treatment is the only truly effective way to get rid of bed bugs – and in just about a day.
Bed bugs are easy to kill using heat. Their thermal death point is reported to be 114-115° F. Putting infested clothing in a hot dryer is an excellent way of killing bed bugs and their eggs. Heat can also be used to kill bed bugs and their eggs in furniture and carpeting.
In general, you shouldn't have to throw out any items in the midst of or after a bed bug infestation. With proper treatment, all items should be able to be salvaged. Instead of throwing out clothing and bedding, it's recommended to wash them in a hot water washing machine. High heat will kill bed bugs and their eggs.
If you want to treat your mattress and keep it, spray an aerosol can of bed bug treatment (see recommendations below) directly onto the mattress. Focus on the seams, tufts, and folds and don't worry about the mattress getting damp – just allow it to dry.
Sleep in long-sleeved clothing
Human blood is the primary source of food for bedbugs. These sneaky creatures will feast on exposed areas of your skin, but they can't bite through fabric. Lower your risk of getting bedbug bites by wearing long-sleeved pajamas with pants while sleeping.
You may have them for a while, but may not notice them until weeks, or even months later. Bed bug eggs take anywhere from six to 12 days to hatch, and the adult life span can be anywhere from six months to a year. That's why it's important to know these early signs of an infestation.