Bed Bugs Are Back And Stronger Than Ever: How To Get Rid Of Them
Bed Bugs Are Back And Stronger Than Ever: How To Get Rid Of Them
So, what brought about this strange bed bug 'come-back'? There are two main schools of thought regarding why bed bugs are coming back in great numbers. One of them is the increase in the number travellers and immigrants who stay in motels and unknowingly bring these insects along with them back home.
The second main reason for the bed bug come-back is that bed bugs are evoloving and becoming resistant to the older methods and products for extermination. Around 60 -70 years ago, bed bug extermination took place on a grand scale. Remember DDT? That was the chemical used back then to get rid of bed bugs.
During the alte 60's, however, DDT was made illegal due to its harmful effects on both humans and the environment. Since then the bugs have been waiting patiently to return to our homes.
So, back in the day DDT was the crucial player in getting rid of bed bugs. However, the banning of DDT has ushered in a new era of bed bug extermination, one which requires greater effort and persistence. Getting rid of bed bugs has had to adapt as the bed bug has become wiser and stronger.
Bed bugs hide in the cracks of furniture, in the mattresses, pillows, beneath the sofa and everywhere else you can think of. This makes the battle against bed bugs significantly more tedious. All the possible places a bed bug could live must be searched and turned over before beginning the actual process of exterminating of bed bugs. This must be done to eliminate doubt that once treatment has been completed there will be any remaining bed bugs. Prior to the actual process of getting rid of bed bugs, there are certain intermediate steps that should be taken immediately:
The clothes, bed sheets, line, pillowcases, blankets and the like must be washed before the treatment begins.
Wrap mattresses and unwashable items like soft toys, in plastic and place under direct sunlight.
Vacuum thouroughly, making sure to get into all the little crevices and corners where bed bugs might seek refuge.
Make sure any gaps in furniture or flooring are sealed off. Pay close attention to detail here, like in corners and little gaps where the carpet meets the wall.
In many situations, getting a professional exterminator will not be necessary as there are many great products available today to address the problem yourself and this route is certainly the least expensive. But if the infestation is really serious you may want to consider getting a professional in.
When the exterminators come in the process usually starts with the spraying of insecticide. There are various difference types of spray used for different kind of materials such as bedding and carpeting. A lot of the chemicals used these days have no odour and won't damage or leave residue on the items that are sprayed.
Getting rid of bed bugs can be tedious and requires effort and persistence. These cunning bugs live in nooks and crannies that can be hard to reach, even when using professional equipment. It doesn't help that bed bugs can also last up to several months without food. So don't try and take short cuts - rather do it properly and do it once than take short cuts and have to come back and repeat the job a second time.
Following the spraying of liquid-based insecticide, a second powder-based insecticide is used. This dusting is very important in getting rid of bed bugs because this is what kills the left-over bed bugs.
The entire process of getting rid of bed bugs can last three days to weeks, depending on the serious of the infestation. Back in the 40's and 50's, getting rid of bed bugs was actually quite a bit quicker - the experts would come in with a batch of DDT and just nuke the place. Today the process requires more skill and effort but it's certainly worth and a good thing that DDT is no longer used.
This is not to say that we have become any less effective at getting rid of bed bugs. The business has changed over the years and now professionals must be considerate of the client's health and of his property.
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