One of the most common questions we get is, "What kills bed bugs instantly?" At ThermoPest, we’re here to provide the answer.
In 2023 bed bugs are unable to escape the news. With mass infestations spreading across Paris causing huge issues across the French capital and now the fear of them spreading to London, these pests have become a real concern. It begs the question, ‘What kills bed bugs instantly?’ and ‘what can I do if I find bed bugs in my home?’
In short, bed bug heat treatments are the only way to guarantee complete eradication in just a single visit. If you heat the room to around 50°C or greater , all life stages of bed bugs, including their stubborn eggs, will die. Unlike chemicals, heat is able to penetrate all cracks and crevices leaving no place to hide. So why not traditional chemical methods? There are a few reasons why heat is now becoming the answer to treating these unwanted pests.
Firstly, chemical treatments will only kill bed bugs which come into contact with the insecticide. Bed bugs are excellent hiders and have an expert ability in invasion. Often they are able to live in cracks and crevices which spray is unable to reach and as result the treatment is unsuccessful. Furthermore, new strains of bed bugs are now proven to have resistance to these chemicals which are leaving them unaffected by treatments.
The bed bug holds a legendary place in Britain’s wide variety of domestic pests. If we’re being scientific, we should call them Cimex lectularius. They don’t care where they set up camp. They can be found everywhere, from the crowded streets of London to the countryside.
An adult bed bug is a wingless, reddish-brown insect that is about the size of an apple seed. These nocturnal pests come out at night to feed on our blood and leave a path of unpleasant welts and rashes on the host.
Beyond the physical misery, a bed bug infestation has significant psychological effects. The first stage in creating a plan to expel them is understanding their behaviours, lifecycle, and preferences.
As British homeowners, many of us pride ourselves on our well-kept homes. But even the most pristine of homes can occasionally fall victim to the activities of bed bugs. Identifying the signs of their uninvited residency is the key to swift and effective eviction.
Firstly, the physical evidence. You might find small, itchy welts on your skin upon waking. These are often arranged in a line or cluster, a rather unsightly souvenir of a bed bug’s nocturnal feast. But don’t be mistaken; it’s not just the bite that’s bothersome. The aftermath often involves an annoying itch, leading to secondary infections if repeatedly scratched.
Then there’s the residue they leave behind. Dark or rusty spots on mattresses, sheets, or pillowcases are tell-tale signs. These stains are the product of their excrement and might be accompanied by their tiny, shed skins.
Let’s not forget the bugs themselves. While they are adept at playing hide-and-seek, a close inspection might reveal these unwanted guests in their hiding spots, especially along mattress seams or headboards.
Lastly, a sweet, musty odour might permeate a heavily infested room. It’s a scent produced from the bugs’ scent glands. This is a non obvious symptom and not always present in all bed bug infestations.
When it comes to the tales surrounding bed bug extermination, Brits have heard their fair share of old wives’ tales and folklore. Before combating these pesky intruders, it’s essential to separate fact from fiction. Let’s debunk a few of the most prevailing myths.
It’s a common misconception that bed bugs only infest homes that are dirty or unkept. Bed bugs are indiscriminate guests. They’re just as likely to settle in a clean home as they are in an unhygienic environment.
Despite their namesake, bed bugs aren’t exclusive to beds. They can be found in furniture, sofas, electrical sockets and pretty much anywhere you can think. They will gravitate to where the host spends the most amount of time, attracted to rhe co2 and heat expelled.
Diy products boast the promise to rid your home of bed bugs, but in most cases it will not completely get rid of the problem. Unless you are able to kill 100% of the population they will continue to breed.
So, as we proceed in our mission to oust these nuisances, let’s tread with knowledge, ensuring our efforts aren’t misguided by myths.
So, what kills bed bugs instantly?
Fighting bed bugs is stressful and can play on your mental health. It is always best to seek professional advice in order to rid the home of these pests.
The best strategy in the fight against bed bugs in both its effectiveness and speed: heat treatment. The idea is relatively straightforward but incredibly powerful. Despite their resistance to standard insecticides, bed bugs have a thermal vulnerability. These pests, along with their tricky eggs, start to die at 50°C.
The bed bug heat treatment procedure involves specialist heaters to raise the temperature of the rooms. Targeting bugs hidden in mattresses, crevices, and even behind walls ensures a thorough penetration. The temperature in the room quickly rises to around 60°C, which is enough to kill all bed bugs. To find out more about the treatments we offer, click here.
In addition to its high effectiveness, heat treatment is favoured since it is non-toxic. Following treatment, there is no residue or chemical odours; only clean, bug-free living environments.
If you’re laundering infested linens, a high-temperature wash followed by a hot tumble dry can be devastatingly effective.
Professional use insecticides are available, each with its strengths and considerations. Typically treatments need to be carried out over 4-5 weeks with a spray conducted every 7-10 days to give the best possible chance of complete eradication.
Derived from ancient, fossilised algae, this powdery substance is both a marvel and a menace – benign to humans but lethal to bed bugs. When they crawl across it, it damages their exoskeletons, leading to dehydration and a rather timely demise. It’s crucial to ensure you’re using food-grade diatomaceous earth and to apply it judiciously.
An often-underestimated tool in our arsenal. A thorough vacuuming session, especially with a high-powered vacuum, can swiftly remove both bugs and their eggs from the scene. However, emptying the vacuum immediately and outside is crucial, to prevent live bed bugs from spreading.
Prevention is not always possible, however taking these measures will improve the chances of keeping them outside of your home.
When traveling and staying in hotels, visually inspecting the bed linens and mattresses for bed bugs will help identify any bed bugs before you sleep the night. Ensure your luggage is kept elevated and away from beds or sofas to prevent any bed bugs from hitchhiking home with you if you happen to encounter them during your stay.
Nothing disrupts a bed bug’s plans like a homeowner fond of frequent cleaning. Regularly washing and heat-drying bed linens can keep these pests in check. Additionally, decluttering can reduce their choice of hiding spots.
Investing in bed bug-proof mattress and pillow encasements can prevent new infestations of bed bugs from multiplying quickly, but it will not stop them from being in your home.
Give second-hand furniture, clothing, or linens a thorough examination before introducing them to your home. This is the second main way bed bugs enter the home after travel.
Traps and monitors are available from our shop and they are designed to detect bed bugs before an infestation becomes established. It’s worth considering if you’re keen on being a step ahead.
Speak to a professional from ThermoPest today for expert bed bug treatment solutions!
Can you see bed bugs? Bedbugs are small but you can see them. They range in colour from transparent to a dark reddish brown. Adults are roughly 4 to 5mm. They are very good at hiding, so look for telltale signs like rust coloured blood dots and shed skins on your furnishings, or bites on your body.
What causes bed bugs? Bed bugs can be found anywhere that humans live because they feed on human blood. This attracts them to any environment where they can hide out—with mattresses and upholstery the prime targets.
What are the signs that I have bed bugs? Bed bugs are difficult to identify in the early stages of their life cycles. Most infestations are discovered due to bite marks and itching skin. Pest control professionals can usually identify droppings on bedding, uncover the places where the bugs hide and even smell the strong, sweet odours of a mature infestation.
How do I kill bed bugs? It can be hard to eradicate bedbugs completely. They are usually nocturnal and are very good at hiding. If you have seen the signs of bedbug activity, it is usually a sign of a serious infestation. Contact a professional to guarantee all bedbugs are killed permanently.
Preventing bed bugs from entering your home or business can be a challenge. They are usually picked up whilst travelling and are difficult to see. By taking small measures you can help prevent bed bug infestations. Read our page on how to prevent bed bugs for more information.
The problem with bed bug bites is that they can be easily confused with other insect bites. Each person bitten will react differently. Their bites are usually red and itchy. Take a look at our article what do bed bug bites look like for more information.
Where do bed bugs bite? The face, neck, arms, hands, legs, and feet are all common areas for bites. Bedbugs will bite any exposed skin.
Bed bugs are found in virtually any place people tend to gather. They remain as close to their host as possible and feed during the night, which is why you will usually get bitten whilst sleeping. Read more on where do bed bugs come from here.
How to get rid of bed bugs? Bedbugs cannot survive when exposed to temperatures above a certain threshold. Our bed bug heat treatment works to eliminate bedbugs by subjecting them to high temperatures.
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