Are you having a bed bug problem? This is the scariest reality for most homeowners, and it’s understandable why anyone would feel so.
Bed bugs are disruptive annoying, and they cause the most discomfort whenever they stick to your clothes and bedding.
Worst of all, bed bugs bite and feed on blood, which can lead to severe skin diseases. For this reason, most homeowners do their best to avoid them, especially by keeping clean, dry places.
But sometimes, even with all the precautions, they still find a way to get into your home. They then create a habitat for themselves, especially on your bedding.
Getting rid of them now becomes the challenge.
But do not fret. When this happens, all you have to do is apply the most effective bed bug extermination method to get rid of them.
And, if that’s what you are after, you are at the right place. We’ll look at how bed bug exterminators work, the various ways of treating bed bugs, the cost of the process, and all the other necessary details.
But before we do that, let’s see what bed bug extermination is.
What is Bed Bug Extermination?
Simply put, bed bug extermination is the process of removing or killing bed bugs in your home. It’s a process that should only be carried out by professionals who have the experience and knowledge to do it safely and effectively.
The first step in any bed bug extermination process is identifying where the bed bugs are hiding. This can be done through a careful inspection of your home, especially your bedroom.
Methods of Bed Bug Extermination
Once the location of the bed bugs has been determined, the exterminator will apply one of the following treatment methods:
- Insecticide/pesticide sprays
This is probably the most common method used to get rid of bed bugs. The exterminator will spray an insecticide on all areas with bed bugs, killing all the bed bugs on contact.
- Insecticide/pesticide sprays
The best features of this method are that it’s fast, efficient, and relatively cheap. Also, some insecticides will remain as residue when sprayed, preventing immediate bed bug infestations for a long while.
On the downside, it can be harmful to your health. Besides, some bed bugs grow resistant to insecticides, and in such cases, the method may not work.
- Bed Bug Heat Treatment
This is a more expensive method, but it’s very effective in getting rid of bed bugs. The bed bug exterminator will heat the entire room to a temperature that will kill all the bed bugs.
- Bed Bug Heat Treatment
This method does not involve any chemicals, so it is safe for humans and pets. It’s also very efficient and can kill bed bugs resistant to insecticides. One con, though, is that it can be expensive.
- Freeze treatment
This is a new method that’s becoming increasingly popular for getting rid of bed bugs. The exterminator will use a particular machine to freeze all the bed bugs in the room. The benefits of this method are that it’s very safe for humans and pets, and it’s also very efficient. The downside is that it can be expensive, just like heat treatment. - Steam treatment
This is a variation of the heat treatment method. The bed bug exterminator will use steam to kill the bed bugs.
This method is safe for humans and pets, and it’s very effective in getting rid of bed bugs. However, steam treatment is not as efficient as heat treatment, and it can be a bit expensive.
- Freeze treatment
These methods are usually categorized into two groups, that is chemical and non-chemical.
Heat, freeze, and steam treatment are all under non-chemical methods since no chemicals are used.
That leaves insecticides, which is a chemical treatment.
One overall benefit of chemical treatment over non-chemical is that it is very effective and can continue to fight the reoccurrence of the infestation, even months after use. This is because the insecticide leaves some residue behind.
On the other hand, non-chemical methods are safer and environmentally safe. Besides, heat treatments are very effective, sometimes even more effective than chemical treatments.
The Process of Bed Bug Extermination
Bed bug exterminators usually follow a four-step process when exterminating bed bugs. This includes inspection, identification, treatment, follow-up, and prevention
1. Inspection
The first step is to inspect the home or building for bed bugs and bed bug eggs. The exterminator will first need to do a thorough inspection of the home to determine where the bed bugs are hiding. They will also need to identify areas that may be difficult to reach or treat and come up with a better strategy.
2. Identification
The second step is to identify the type of bed bugs, and it is done by looking at their physical features and behavior to see if they match any known bed bugs species. This step also helps the exterminator choose the best method of extermination. This is in consideration that some bed bugs are resistant to certain insecticides.
3. Preparation
The next step is to prepare the home for extermination. This includes removing all clutter from the room and moving any furniture that can be moved. The bed bug exterminator may also need to seal off any areas where the bed bugs hide, such as doors, windows, wall hangings, bed frames, and electrical outlets.
4. Actual Bed Bug Treatment
The second last step is to treat the home for bed bugs. This may involve using insecticides, heat or freeze treatment, or steam treatment. The exterminator will also need to monitor the home after treatment to eliminate all bed bugs.
You should follow this process with a good vacuuming so as to remove the dead bed bugs.
5. Prevention
Once the extermination process is completed, it’s essential to take steps to prevent the bed bugs from coming back. This includes using a mattress cover, washing all your bedding in hot water, and vacuuming your room regularly.
The extermination process can be difficult and expensive, but getting rid of bed bugs completely before they can cause any serious damage is important.
Now that we know about the various ways of exterminating bed bugs let’s take a look at the cost of the process.
What to Expect After Extermination
There is always a possibility that some bed bugs may survive the extermination process. This is why it’s important to keep an eye out for any signs of reoccurrence, such as bed bug bites, blood stains on the sheets, or fecal spots.
The cost of hiring a bed bug exterminator
The cost of bed bug extermination can vary depending on the method used. Chemical processes are usually more expensive than non-chemical methods. Heat treatment is the most costly, but it is also the most effective.
Chemical methods cost between $200 and $2,000 per treatment. Non-chemical methods cost between $50 and $300 per treatment. Heat treatment costs between $1,500 and $3,000 per treatment.
It’s vital to remember that this is a one-time cost. You will not need to pay for any additional treatments unless new bed bugs are found in your home.
Are There Any Risks Associated With Bed Bug Extermination?
There are no risks associated with bed bug extermination if a professional carries it out. However, if you try to do it yourself, there is a risk of getting poisoned by the insecticide.
So, if you are having a bed bug problem, it’s best to call a professional exterminator. They will use one of the methods mentioned above to eliminate all the bed bugs in your home.
The benefits of using a professional bed bug exterminator
There are several perks of using a professional exterminator for bed bugs. These include:
- Expertise: Professional exterminators have the expertise and experience to exterminate bed bugs quickly and effectively.
- Equipment: Professional exterminators have access to the latest equipment and technology for exterminating bed bugs.
- Safety: Professional exterminators follow rigorous safety protocols to protect themselves and the people around them from the harmful effects of pesticides.
- Guarantee: Professional exterminators offer a money-back guarantee if the bed bugs are not exterminated.
Work with The Best Bed Bug Exterminators
When it comes to getting rid of bed bugs, you want to work with the best. Michigan Bed Bug Specialists is a top-rated bed bug extermination and pest control company offering a variety of services to eliminate bed bugs. We serve Grand Rapids, MI, Lansing, MI, Battle Creek, MI, Kalamazoo, MI, and Coldwater, MI.
Though we offer pesticide application too, our number one bed bug treatment method is heat treatment. This is because we value your family’s health and yours.
Using the advanced Heat Assault 500X system, our work is effective, as well as safe.
We also offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our services. Our services include:
- Pest and bed bug control
- Heat Treatment
- Bed Bug Encasements
- Interceptors
- Pest extermination
- Home inspections
- Bed bug treatments
- Pesticide application
- And much more
If you think you may have a bed bug infestation, contact us today for a free consultation. We’ll help you get rid of these pests for good.