Types of Bed Bug Treatment
Nearly all of us have heard the phrase “Sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite!” which appears to be an age-old saying from times when mattresses were made of just about anything. When modern mattresses were developed around the turn of the 20th century, bed bugs became less of a hassle and were almost forgotten by the 1940's and beyond. No one seems to know why these nasty little critters have become an ever increasing problem since the mid 1990's. There is even an online registry that tracks reports of infestations in hotels and apartment buildings! Bed bugs don't besiege beds alone however; they can in fact be found throughout the home. Although bed bugs are not currently known to carry diseases, they can be a terrible nuisance causing skin rashes, itching, and allergic type symptoms. Their presence is not related to the cleanliness of your domicile; they can infest any home, so deeper cleaning will not solve the problem. Being parasites, they bite and suck the blood from their hosts, injecting its saliva containing (among other things) anesthetics and anticoagulants through one feeding tube while extracting blood through another tube. It is not felt when they bite, but small red bumps occur with itching and swelling.
Getting rid of these bugs is not an easy task because insecticides are not very effective on mattresses and stuffed furniture. Home remedies such as Diatomaceous Earth (silicone dioxide), rubbing alcohol solution, home made concoctions, a wide variety of aerosols and “bug bombs” which are largely ineffective. Those that claim to eliminate all stages of the bed bugs growth may not kill the eggs, and if not applied to all affected areas will not kill all the bed bugs, which can live over a year without a fresh feeding. They hide and lay eggs deep in narrow cracks and crevices of the joints in furniture, walls, storage cabinets and floors of your home. Even after an exhaustive effort, most people would not be able to tell if their labors were effective. A properly trained, licensed and experienced professional can tell you how severe the infestation is, and offer extermination techniques that are more effective than those afforded the typical homeowner.
Since bed bugs hide so well and survive so long, a successful eradication program requires detailed knowledge of the insect's habits and biology that only a trained professional can provide. These programs may be long or short lived and can include a variety of techniques; for example, Heat/Humidity or Cold treatments, Gas or Steam treatments, Insect Growth Regulators and pesticide applications. Advanced knowledge and equipment is required to use these strategies and products safely and effectively while obeying local laws.
With the explosive increase in international travel over the last few decades and the ease in which bed bugs travel on clothing and luggage, they are likely to remain a household pest for the foreseeable future. Bringing in a pest management specialist can help ensure your home is free from these parasites.
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