A Bed bug infestation is a terrible problem that nobody wants to have. Not only are they easy to pick up from anywhere but they are also hard to remove once they have established themselves in your home. Thankfully when completed properly by a professional, bed bug heat treatments is a highly effective treatment option. Homeowners generally have several questions about bed bug heat treatments so it is recommended that you consult with a bed bug professional to decide if heat treatments are the right treatment plan for your home.
How Heat Treatments Kill Bed Bugs
There are three major components of heat treatments: heat, airflow, and monitoring. Bed bugs can’t handle high temperatures for extended lengths of time, creating an effective option for treatment. From full-room heating treatments to targeted treating methods using extremely heated steam on infested areas, bed bug professionals use multiple techniques that blend together to thoroughly eliminate bed bugs. As the temperatures are slowly raised and maintained around 120 to 140 degrees, fans to control the airflow help the heat to permeate any crevices or hiding places that would allow bed bugs to hide and survive. With bed bug heat treatment equipment such as sensors that can be accessed remotely help monitor temperatures, heat levels are monitored in all areas to eliminate any hiding places that bed bugs could seek out to survive.
Will Heat Treatments For Bed Bugs Damage My Home?
In order to maintain a level of heat high enough to kill all bed bugs and their eggs, bed bug heat treatments last for several hours. Despite being exposed for several hours to high heat, there is no permanent damage to the structure of the building from the temperature. Although most items in your home, like your furniture, will be safe during the treatment, certain items can explode or melt from exposure to the levels of heat needed to kill bed bugs.
Bed Bug Heat Treatment Preparation
To ensure your belongings are unharmed during the treatment process, be sure to follow the instructions provided by your bed bug professional. It is also important to consult the professional about moving and storage of sensitive or delicate items such as:
- Alcohol, fresh food, and meltable foods
- All medications and cosmetics
- CDs and DVDs
- Heat sensitive art pieces (Wooden musical instruments, oil paintings)
- Houseplants and pets
- Items made out of wax or meltable plastics
- Insecured hanging pictures or decorations
- Light, delicate belongings that may be blown about and broken
- Pressurized containers (Carbonated beverages, hairspray, propane bottles)
When the treatment process is over, your bed bug control professional confirms it is safe to reopen the room or return to your home. If any items were removed prior to the treatment be sure to let the professional know as the items may need to be inspected and treated with other methods to ensure bed bugs won’t be reintroduced into your home.
Bed Bug Professional Heat Treatments at Bug-A-Way
Despite using every tip to prevent bed bugs, due to their size and ability to populate quickly, bed bugs are easily picked up and are extremely difficult to eliminate without professional help. If you think you have bed bugs in your home don’t hesitate to contact us at Bug-A-Way, a bed bug control professional. Our professional team members are trained and experienced in heat treatments to help you get rid of a bed bug infestation.