Bed bugs infestation is one of the most difficult pest problems because they are prolific breeders and are resilient to common insecticides, and can also survive without feeding for months. Furthermore, their small size makes them hard to detect, especially their egg that is the size of a speck of dust, that their presence only becomes visible when they reach full-blown infestation.
Signs of bed bug infestation include droppings that look like tiny spots, pungent smell, shedding, and empty eggshells.
In most cases, you’ll need pest control experts if you want to get rid of bed bugs completely. Also, you need to do your part to prevent re-infestation and “population boom.”
Related article: Telltale Signs of Bed Bugs and How to Eliminate Them
Choosing the Right Pest Control Services
Traditional pesticides often come with the risk of toxicity, birth defects, allergic reaction, and other health issues. Also, they can harm the environment and kill beneficial insects and small animals like honey bees, ladybugs, and lizards.
Because of the environmental and health risks that come with using traditional pesticides, choose pest control experts that use naturally-derived insecticides like neem oil, pyrethrin, and imidacloprid, all of which are extracted from plants and trees.
In case the organic products are not enough to eliminate bed bugs, eco-friendly providers like Rocklin pest control company Pest Be Gone will use synthetic pesticides categorized as “minimum risk” by the Environment Protection Agency or EPA.
Minimum risk pesticides include sulfur-based plant fungicides, lime sulfur sprays, liquid copper fungicide, and diatomaceous earth or DE.
A Word of Warning on Bed Bugs
Contrary to popular belief, foggers are not an effective bed bug control–unless they are combined with other methods–because they do not reach the cracks and crevices where the little critters hide. Another issue with DIY foggers, Pest Be Gone owner Liz Blackwell warns, is that incorrect use may cause fire and health risks.
She also says that some bed bugs have developed resistance to common pesticides, which is why most DIY treatments and store-bought products won’t work to resolve the infestation.
To eliminate resilient bed bug populations, Ms. Blackwell recommends using a combination product or switching to an entirely different “class” of chemicals.
Another issue with DIY, she adds, is that some pesticides, including store-bought products, are not safe to be used in the mattress, bedroom, or indoor due to their high level of toxic chemicals.
How to Prevent Re-Infestation
Depending on the extent of the problem, you may need re-treatments. This is particularly true with larger infestations in which the bed bugs spread from their original hiding places, making it necessary to treat all the affected areas of the house.
After the initial treatment, Ms. Blackwell says homeowners should inspect for bed bugs at least every week and may use traps and interceptors under the legs of beds and furniture to catch the little critters and prevent them from climbing.
She shares other tips that can help you prevent re-infestation:
- Eliminate clutter in your home where bed bugs can hide.
- Frequently vacuum your house and throw away the tightly closed plastic bag immediately.
- If you live in an apartment or condo, you can “isolate” your unit by installing door sweeps on the bottom of your doors and seal cracks and crevices where bed bugs can hide and breed.
- Encase your box springs and mattresses to eliminate hiding spots.
- Before you bring home second-hand furniture, sofas, and beds, check for any signs of bed bugs.
If you have bed bugs and other pest infestations, contact Pest Be Gone which is a Rocklin-based pest control company that uses naturally-derived products and “minimum risk” chemicals to eliminate pests without harming your health and environment.
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