The bed bug is an urban pest that utilizes the human blood as the primary food source. At low infestations, detection can be a challenge because of it’s cryptic nature. Therefore, when bed bug is suspected, it is very important to save a specimen for a positive identification.
Bed bug inspection: Our first objective is to positively confirm the presence of bed bugs in a building. To arrive at this conclusion, a thorough inspection is performed. Evidence of bed bugs can be determined by the presence of eggs, cast skins, and live or dead bed bugs. Once the presence of bed bugs is established, questions are asked to help determine the source of the infestation. It’s important to determine how the infestation was started so that future occurrences can be avoided. No treatment is recommended without a conclusive evidence of bed bug infestation.
Treatment Protocol: We focus solely on the chemical approach because it allows for a pricing that is directly proportional to the severity of the infestation and is relatively affordable compared to whole-room heat treatments. We’ve achieved tremendous success using this approach and the work is guaranteed. An integrated treatment involving pesticides and heat is involved; with the heat source being a dryer and/or washer utilized by the client. Prior to treatment, we expect no preparation from clients. We’ve experienced that moving items away from infested sites help disperse bed bugs throughout the home. During treatment, a small amount of liquid pesticide is targeted at seams and folds of mattresses, sofas, edges of box springs, cracks and crevices in the bed frame, etc. In addition, a diatomaceous earth-based insecticide dust is applied to cracks, crevices (including electrical outlets) and around the wall-floor intersection. In rare cases, a vaporization treatment is used to treat infested items that can neither be treated with liquid pesticides nor heat-treated as described above. All beddings are bagged, securely tied and left behind for the client to utilize heat treatment as described previously. Cooperation from the client is extremely important to the success of the plan. Multiple visits are needed to completely eliminate an infestation. Elimination is considered complete when no bed bug sightings and/or bites are reported for a minimum of sixty days following the last visit.
Post-treatment: Once elimination is complete, we recommend box spring and mattress encasements. Although this does not prevent re-infestation, it facilitates early detection, should re-infestation occur