What is the fastest way to treat a bed bug infestation in your home?
After taking a bit of a hiatus in the news, bed bugs have once again become a scourge across the country. Just the mention of their name will often send shivers down a person’s spine.
People are always concerned with getting rid of these blood-sucking creatures right away, so a question we often get is, what kills bed bugs instantly? Today, we’re going to explore a few strategies you can use to get rid of bed bugs fast.
How to Kill Bed Bugs Instantly
Professional treatment of a bed bug infestation is always the best way to go, but there are a few home remedies you can try as well.
Here are some techniques that will kill bed bugs instantly or in a relatively short period of time:
Heat Treatment
Professional bed bug heat treatments have proven to be an extremely successful method in getting rid of bed bugs. The process works by raising the temperature of your entire home or a specific area to the level where bed bugs can’t survive. Once this temperature is reached, each bed bug will die right away. This is without a doubt the most effective form of bed bug treatment. Not only is it managed by professional pest control companies, but this form of treatment kills bed bug eggs, along with adults, and nymphs.
Rubbing Alcohol
Perhaps the most common household item that will kill bed bugs instantly is rubbing alcohol. This will kill adult bed bugs and nymphs upon contact. However, this isn’t effective against bed bug eggs, not to mention that adults are quite good at running away and hiding.
Pheromone Traps
Traps that use insect pheromones are very common in the fight against numerous pests. Bed bugs are attracted to pheromones, which will lead them into these traps. Although this method can work quickly, it is not an “instant” remedy. Also, pheromone traps do not kill bed bug eggs, which can lead to another infestation, even if most of the breeding-age adults are killed in the traps.
Essential Oils
The use of essential oils has been a common bed bug elimination and deterrent strategy for quite some time. Since they’re chemical-free, essential oils present a more natural way to either kill or repel bed bugs.
Here are some of the most common essential oils that you can use:
- Cinnamon
- Eucalyptus
- Lemongrass
- Clove
- Peppermint
- Lavender
- Tea Tree
Diatomaceous Earth
This powdery substance is another common technique to get rid of bed bugs and other pests. Although not instantaneous, diatomaceous earth will kill bed bugs within a few days of contact. This substance works by attaching to a bed bug, which will then distribute it to others.
Why Heat Treatment Is the Best
Heat treatment has proven itself to be the best bed bug control technique. Here are a few reasons why:
No Resistance
Although bed bugs are resilient because of their ability to hide, they’re not very strong insects. They can last in warm temperatures, but they have a rather low tolerance to extreme heat. Once your home’s temperature gets to a certain point, they have no way to protect themselves.
Unable to Hide
Bed bugs like to hide in small cracks and crevices, which can make reaching them with chemicals extremely difficult. With heat treatment, the entire area where they’re living will be affected. No matter how hard they try or how far they go, they’ll be unable to escape the effects of heat treatment.
Heat Treatment Kills Bed Bugs Throughout Their Life Cycle
The only way to stop a bed bug infestation in its tracks is to kill the insects in all of their life cycles. Unlike certain other methods, a heat treatment will kill bed bug adults, nymphs, and eggs. This is very important, because methods that leave eggs behind may be setting you up for a second infestation.
No Chemicals
There’s definitely been a shift away from pest control methods that use harmful chemicals, but they definitely still exist. Heat treatments are not only extremely effective, but you don’t have to worry about toxicity. This type of bed bug elimination is safe for your home and everyone in it, including your pets.
Kills Bed Bugs Quickly
When you enlist a professional’s help to perform a heat treatment, you’ll need to do very light prep work beforehand. Once that’s done, the treatment itself will only take a few hours to complete. And don’t forget that once the heat reaches the bed bugs, they will perish instantly.
Signs of a Bed Bug Infestation
If you believe that you have a bed bug infestation, you should call a professional as soon as possible. Here are some of the signs to watch out for:
Live Insects
As with any insect problem, the most obvious proof of their existence is to actually see them. Just keep in mind that bed bugs are quite small, so you’re not likely to spot any of them crawling around. However, if you’re inspecting your bed or other piece of furniture very closely, you might find them.
Red Bumps on Your Skin
This is typically the first sign that someone will notice. If you wake up with a sizable red and itchy bump, then bed bugs are definitely one possibility. This is caused by irritation to the skin when the bed bugs bite and make you into a – pardon-the grossness – blood meal.
Blood Stains on Bed Sheets
Yes, bed bugs can sometimes be messy eaters. Whenever they feast on you at night, there’s a chance that some of your blood will get on your bed sheets. If you find small, red spots when you wake up in the morning, this may just be a telltale sign of a bed bug infestation.
Musty Odor
If you have a pretty good sense of smell, you may experience an unusual, musty odor. Many people have compared it to the smell of cilantro, though some will say it’s more like raspberries, coriander, or almonds. With an advanced infestation, it tends to smell like wet towels or moldy laundry.
Fecal Marks
Another common sign of a bed bug infestation is finding fecal marks on the bed. These are either brown or black in color and are approximately the size of a pen’s tip. These are typically found in areas where bed bugs are hiding, but you may also see them on sheets or clothing.
Contact ProHealth Pest Control to Kill Bed Bugs Instantly
ProHealth Pest Control utilizes heat treatments and other methods to kill bed bugs instantly and can help you avoid them in the future. If you have any questions about our organic, residential, or commercial pest control methods or need to set up an appointment, reach out to our team today by calling (727) 472-9420 to schedule a free consultation and learn what kills bed bugs instantly.
