Bed Bugs: Do I Need to Hire an Exterminator?

Bed bugs are clingy pests that move from host to host and can be easily passed on by visitors in your home, hotel stays and even in public transportation. This makes falling victim to bed bugs fairly easy, and while it is difficult to prevent them, there are recommended courses of action should you find yourself in this situation.We understand the feeling of panic that is induced and the need to take care of a bed bug infestation right away – whether it’s in your home or business. If you need immediate assistance with a current bed bug problem, please call one of our service specialists to schedule a treatment.

If you’re unsure of what steps to take, here are our answers to some of our frequently asked questions:

Can I get rid of bed bugs myself?

Many DIY sites will tell you that you can kill bed bugs by using natural home remedies, including rubbing alcohol or essential oils like lavender, tea tree or peppermint oils. Where some of these home remedies have merit, these solutions require that you see each individual pest, and apply the products directly on them. Bed bugs are great at finding hiding places – it’s how they’ve survived all these years. Their small size also makes it easy for them to go unnoticed even when out in the open. The chances that you will find every single bed bug and apply a home remedy directly to them is virtually impossible. One alive single mated female and her young can re-infest your property in a few months’ time. Using these DIY solutions, you are more likely to end up with furniture that smells like peppermint than you are to find a solution to your bed bug problem.

Does bed bug spray and insecticides work?

There are tons of bed bug sprays and insecticides on the market. Much like DIY solutions, they usually aren’t very effective unless you know the exact location of the bed bugs and their hiding places. Bed bugs have also built up a resistance over the years to several pesticides, so depending on what you use, it can be ineffective. Because bed bugs typically hide in places that can’t be infiltrated by things like spray or foggers, it can be very difficult for these products to work. You also need to take additional precautions with these chemicals, as they can be harmful to your family and pets if used improperly.

Can you get rid of bed bugs permanently?

You can get rid of bed bugs, but there is always a chance another bed bug will find its way back into your home or business. If you find bed bugs are a recurring problem, you are either not solving the problem in the first place, or you continue to visit a place where bed bugs are present. This is particularly common in multi-family housing such as apartments or condominiums where bed bugs can easily be carried from unit to unit. The best prevention is diligent inspections, and if you find you have bed bugs in a multi-family property, make sure to notify your property manager. If you have an issue, it is possible your neighbors do too, and things can get out of hand very quickly.

Can an exterminator get rid of bed bugs?

Yes, an exterminator can get rid of bed bugs, and they are really your best bet. A pest control provider is trained on bed bug biology and behavior, meaning they know where to look for bed bugs and how to eliminate them at the source. By using a combination of techniques, they can eliminate bed bugs at all stages of development, which is something that’s virtually impossible to achieve with DIY products.

What do exterminators use to get rid of bed bugs?

Exterminators use a variety of strategies to get rid of bed bugs such as heat treatment, mattress encasements, crack and crevice injection/spot treatment and pesticide dust. At Terminix Wil-Kil, we even have a canine inspection unit to help us sniff out all the various spots bed bugs may be hiding.

Our conventional bed bug treatment is typically used on local bed bug infestations. Local infestations include small homes, individual hotel rooms, or apartments where a low-level infestation occurred. This treatment method includes multiple rounds of pesticide dusts, pesticide sprays, cracks and crevice injections/spot treatment, and mattress encasements. Each of these treatments is not performed for every bed bug case, as each case is different and will be determined by the professional exterminator on the job.

Our bed bug heat treatment is a thermal remediation process best for resolving heavy bed bug infestations. These infestations are typically out-of-control and require ample attention, as the method for this requires the space’s temperature to reach above 120 degrees. Why you may ask? Bed bugs cannot withstand high heat at any stage in development, so this method ensures that each pest is taken care of.

It is strongly recommended that you ask the professionals for help when it comes to bed bugs. To learn more about how Terminix Wil-Kil can help, check out our bed bug treatment options or give us a call!