How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs: Experts vs DIY

When you have a bed bug problem at home, it's normal to want to take care of it yourself and get rid of the bugs right away. However, what many people do not know is how challenging bed bugs can actually be, especially without professional knowledge, equipment, and experience. 

This article will provide you with a comprehensive guide in dealing with bed bugs from identification of the pests to actual extermination methods, and why hiring a pest control company could be the best way to deal with a bed bug infestation. We’ll also go through the factors to consider in selecting the right experts and ways to prevent similar outbreaks from happening again.

Why Should I Be Worried About Bed Bugs?

Just a few decades back, bed bugs were not something that any of us would have been concerned about. When pesticides like DDT were still in use, bed bugs were essentially eradicated. But now, they’re back! They can’t fly, but they spread and transmit by clinging onto things and other animals. Whether you're traveling or going to the gym, they can easily jump on your luggage or bag and be brought to your home to start their own colony. Bed bugs have also been known to "hitch-hike" right on top of you! 

Once settled, these pests become difficult to manage without the help of a professional bed bug exterminator, and with the speed and ease that people can move around the country (and the world) coupled with large populations in cities like Jersey City and Newark, practically nowhere is safe.

A single bed bug can live up to 300 days and lay up to 500 eggs in its lifetime. They multiply quickly and cause great discomfort as they feed excessively on blood—the bitten areas becoming incredibly itchy with a burning sensation. Because of this, it is best that they are detected and exterminated as soon as possible.

DIY Pest Control vs. Professional Pest Control

There are many ways to get rid of bed bugs, but doing it yourself will at best be ineffective and take a lot of time. Expertise is a combination of skill, training, and knowledge that helps speed up and improve the process. Most hardware stores don't sell the chemicals and safety gear that professionals use to get rid of bugs. 

Common DIY Pest Management Methods

Despite what has been said, it is not entirely impossible to do your own pest control. Just keep in mind that it will require a lot of resources and determination from your end. Remember to do additional research to ensure safety and ask online forums for help as needed. For starters, below are the common and most effective bed bug pest control methods you can do on your own:

Foggers

Even though there are risks and problems, foggers can work if they are used often and with other pest control methods. Some foggers are so explosive that you have to turn off the gas to the house before you can use them. The fogger puts out chemicals that are bad for both people and animals, so you'll have to stay out of the house for a long time while it's being used. This step may have to be done more than once over the course of a few days. Some of the chemicals used in foggers may also smell bad.

Heat Treatment

Bed bug heat treatment tools can be bought online, but if you only need to use it once, it might be too expensive. When you find bed bugs in a piece of furniture or a small group of things, like bedding or clothes, you can kill them quickly by heating the area. It's not a good idea to heat a whole room or house to 113 degrees for long enough to kill the bugs because it will take time and money. You probably won't be able to keep tools at the same temperature without putting the heating elements at risk.

Can You Fix the Infestation on Your Own?

Getting rid of a single bed bug is not hard. But bed bugs come in hundreds and are generally difficult to eradicate because of their number and how stealthy they can be. Bed bugs can easily hide in cracks in your sofa, box spring, or other furniture. Pest control that you do yourself takes a lot of time and money, and there's no promise that the pests will be gone.

Take note that most pesticides and pest control chemicals only work at certain points in the life cycle of the insect. It is best to use more than one way to make sure that the space is completely covered and that all of the bed bugs are gone. If the issue persists, then it would likely be time to throw in the towel and hire an expert exterminator.

Professional Pest Control Methods

When it comes to the professional eradication of bed bugs, there are primarily two methods to choose from: chemical and mechanical. Both offer some advantages as well as certain drawbacks. Different businesses will use different strategies, with some opting for hybrid approaches and others pursuing more specialized methods.

Controlling Bed Bugs With Chemicals

In residential areas, the management and eradication of bed bugs may be accomplished by using pesticides. Powder, liquid, and other forms may be available for the pesticides you buy, depending on the manufacturer and the requirements of the job. When it comes to the application of pesticides, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. The length of time that will pass before you receive complete findings differs depending on the approach that was employed.

Controlling Bed Bugs With Tools

• Heat: One-way pest control companies can get rid of bed bugs is by using heat treatments. Heat services use a unit that heats a room or the whole house to at least 120 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the best temperature for killing bed bugs. A heated trailer is parked outside to provide power for the heaters, and fans are put in the treated areas to move air around and heat everything in the room evenly. "Bed bugs and their eggs die in 90 minutes at 118°F (48°C) or right away at 122°F (50°C)," says the University of Minnesota. During heat treatment, the air temperature in the room is usually between 135°F (57.2°C) and 145°F (62.7°C).
  
  
• Freezing: Bed bugs can die if they are in temperatures that are below freezing. The treatment will work faster if the room is cooler. Bed bugs start to die when the temperature in a room drops below 0 degrees Fahrenheit, so you can't just open your windows in January to kill them. According to the Entomological Society of America, for all stages of a bug's life to die, it needs to be exposed to a temperature of -16 degrees Celsius for at least 80 hours. Temperatures below -15 degrees Celsius are enough to kill all stages of a bed bug's life cycle in 3.5 days, while temperatures below -20 degrees Celsius only take 48 hours." In short, the temperature used directly affects how long it takes to get rid of something. The service will go faster if the temperature is lower.
  
  
• No-Prep: Jersey City Exterminator uses the "No-Prep" method to get rid of and control bed bugs in homes. No-Prep gets rid of bed bugs in your home with a mix of chemical and non-chemical tools. Our technicians will get rid of pests behind beds, switch plates, carpet tack strips, and other places by using dust that is safe for the environment. Bed bugs can also be killed by putting liquid pesticides on the baseboards where they might be hiding. We will also steam two feet around the problem area to make sure they are all gone. With this method, customers don't have to move mattresses or other large, heavy items. To get rid of bed bugs completely, the No-Prep Method requires an average of two to three separate visits to the home. The number of treatments will depend on how bad the infestation is.

Preparing for Professional Bed Bug Extermination

If you decide to hire pest control experts, then this section of the article can help you keep in check everything you have to remember during the entire process:

Before the Treatment

If you are living in a rented property as a tenant, the landlord or the concerned authorities must be made aware. Send a notice to your landlord via mail. Keep the apartment clean so that the landlord cannot blame you for the infestation. This advice should be followed no matter what kind of dwelling you live in. 

When the pest control people come for an inspection and offer you a quote, ask them about the licenses they hold for using their chemicals, the procedures they are going to use, service guarantees and additional guarantees offered, contracts and prices being offered and any references, and if follow up visits are included. Look up their reviews on social media if they have any.

During the Treatment

Generally, the exterminators are going to employ two primary types of treatment:

1.) Whole Room Heat Treatments

The pests are killed by raising the temperature of the room between 135 and 145 degrees Fahrenheit for 6 to 8 hours. The exterminators will advise you to remove anything that might get damaged due to the heat. Similar treatments like steam treatment, container heat treatment may also be applied. Remember, there is nothing to stop the bed bugs from infesting the house again. So, next, preventive treatments are employed to prevent recurrences. 

2.) Insecticide Treatments

Depending on the nature of the surfaces and the different kinds of exposure they get from people in the house, three different kinds of treatments are carried out:

• For surfaces that come into human contact frequently, a quick action contact based insecticide is used.ii. For areas that don’t come into contact as often, like the undersides and insides of furniture, a residual insecticide is used that settles on the surface.

 

• For cracks and crevices like electrical outlets, a dust insecticide is used. 

 

• Each treatment can take anywhere from half an hour to 2 hours and after that the room shouldn’t be entered for some time as advised by the exterminators. Plan accordingly.

A one-time treatment is never going to be enough for complete bed bug extermination. Two to three treatments minimum will be required. Ask the exterminators for detailed instructions beforehand so that you can prepare yourself and your house not just for the effectiveness of the treatment but also the safety of your family, and pets.  

After the Treatment

Keep your house as clean as possible. Avoid using second hand things like mattresses and cushioned furniture at all costs. Try to ensure that when you travel you don’t carry any bed bugs back with you from hotels and AirBnB residences. Check beds when you travel for similar signs of infestation before you go to sleep. 

How to Choose the Right Pest Control Company

Understanding bed bug treatment methods is crucial, but an equally vital aspect is the expertise of the exterminators implementing these strategies. Many claim to offer professional services, but identifying those equipped with cutting-edge equipment, extensive experience, and comprehensive entomological knowledge is a challenge.

A good exterminator's approach diverges from common misconceptions:

• Comprehensive Extermination: A good exterminator focuses on disrupting the bed bug life cycle, addressing reproduction and more. Understanding bed bug biology is essential for success.
  
  

• Integrated Pest Management: A skilled exterminator employs a multifaceted approach, combining various methods to combat bed bugs effectively. Chemicals are part of the equation, but not the sole solution.
  
  

• Balanced Solutions: The age of overly toxic chemical treatments is past. Effective extermination involves a balance between treatments and preventative strategies.

A proficient exterminator stands out by:

• Inquiring: They gather crucial information about the infestation and your living environment.

 

• Investigating: Through meticulous examination, they gain insights into the scope of the problem.

 

• Integrating: They combine treatment methods to create a holistic bed bug extermination strategy.

The battle against bed bug infestations demands a sophisticated and strategic approach. Exterminators, armed with their wealth of expertise, employ a multifaceted strategy that encompasses inspection, customized treatment plans, education, and ongoing follow-up. As we navigate the challenges posed by these persistent pests, it's through the implementation of these expert techniques that we can restore comfort and peace to our living spaces. 

Preventing Future Infestations

Prevention is key when it comes to bed bugs. Here are some preventive measures you can take to reduce the risk of a bed bug infestation:

• Inspect Second Hand Furniture: Before bringing any used furniture into your home, carefully inspect it for signs of bed bugs. Pay close attention to seams, crevices, and joints where bed bugs can hide.
  
  
• Encase Mattresses and Box Springs: Use bed bug-proof encasements on your mattresses and box springs to prevent bed bugs from infesting these areas. These encasements create a barrier, making it difficult for bed bugs to establish harborage.
  
  
• Maintain Cleanliness: Regularly vacuum and clean your home, paying attention to areas where bed bugs are likely to hide, such as mattress seams, cracks in furniture, and baseboards. Dispose of the vacuum bag or empty the canister in a sealed plastic bag to prevent bed bugs from escaping.
  
  
• Be Cautious While Traveling: When staying in hotels or accommodations, inspect the room for signs of bed bugs before unpacking. Keep your luggage elevated and away from the bed, and wash your clothes in hot water upon returning home.​

The pros at Jersey City Exterminators can handle any pest situation. Bed bugs could be hiding in places like cabinets, behind baseboards, in beds, and in furniture, but our very effective fumigation method should kill them all. Fumigation kills all parts of the bed bug life cycle, including the eggs, and leaves no obvious signs. This means that your house is safe for babies, toddlers, and dogs as soon as the treatment is done.

Our skilled techs can also use a liquid pesticide when the infestation isn't too bad. Our fast-acting juice will get rid of the bed bugs so you can sleep well again.

(201) 460-6068