[Blog] Bed Bugs…How are you sleeping at night? (4) Steps to Preventing Bedbug Intruders

“What’s eating you?” For some people this is more than an old saying. For some people this is a reality. Bedbugs are a daunting control adversary for any technician and in most cases the toughest thing to control when dealing with Bedbugs is the emotional response from the individual affected. PCT’s can deal with Bedbugs- we’re trained for that. However, no amount of training can prepare you to deal with a panicked customer who doesn’t understand the source of the problem. We will attempt to deal with this today. While reading through this though it is important to note that the preventative measures provided are exactly that. Preventative. Infestation and introduction of Bedbugs into an environment cannot be combatted via the use of retail products and in all cases a professional treatment is required upon the discovery of Bedbug intruders. So first let’s establish something off the hop. Bedbugs are not bugs. Bedbugs are a parasite. Parasites are attracted and hosted by humans- not buildings. So when trying to source out the root of an infestation the most likely source of the problem is always a living sentient human being. Not a building. Therefore, moving or attempting to liquidate your belongings to rid yourself of this pest is an absolute waste of time, effort and money. Finding the host individual who introduced the Bedbugs to your environment and eliminating the bridge from point A to point B is the ONLY way to guarantee no re-infestation post treatment. Realistically though, this is all but impossible. Fret not however! Control can still be achieved and maintained not by identifying an individual and eliminating them- But by qualifying visitors and threats to your environment prior to the existence of such. Following the steps below will allow you the initial upper hand in preventing Bedbug intruders before they happen. 1. Ensure that a strong vacuuming regiment exists on the premises you wish to protect. Vacuums provide a more effective solution than retail pesticides and should be a go-to-tool in your home. If concern exists it is 100% more effective to vacuum the environment. Potential intruders captured and eliminated via vacuum application are without doubt removed and eliminated. Applying retail pesticides will eliminate 60-70% of the visible populations. Meaning that 40-30% can still exist and survive retail chemical applications.

2. Removing all linens during periods of potential intrusion and running them through a dry cycle provides elimination of any potential eggs, instar youth populations and adults which may be harbouring between cracks, fold lines, and seams. Unhatched eggs have no nerve ending for neurotoxins to attack. Therefore pesticide applications alone will not eliminate breeding schedules. Dryers provide a 100% effective solution and a good thing to remember is “If it can be dried, the issue is fried” This is not laundry day however, and washing potentially affected linens provides no aid in control. 3. Qualify the places you travel. Make sure you’re staying in respite or paid accommodations which are actively fighting the spread of Bedbug intruders. Simply asking at the service desk whether or not institutions have control programs to protect you. If the answer is no- it’s time to go. Hotel rooms can be inspected by the general public and Bedbug intruders leave lots of visible evidence to bank your qualification on. -Start at the blankets, pull them back and look for blood marks on the sheets. -Pull the bed off of the wall and inspect the area of the mattress facing the headboard. Look for specimen debris such as live Bedbugs, fecal debris or casings. If you see something you’re unsure about here or behind the headboard- it’s probably worth reconsidering your stay. -Inspect the back side of any end tables for Bedbugs, fecal debris, eggs or casings. -Inspect the floor under the box spring, at the headboard, and underneath furniture located within 5 feet of the bed. Look for casings, live specimen, or dead specimen (this would suggest a previous infestation here that has been treated in the past) -Lastly if you’re REALLY pro-active. Remember that 90-98% of Bedbugs harbor directly in the box spring not the mattress. (Personally this is always my step #1) Lift the box spring up and inspect the bottom of it with a flashlight. You can find eggs, fecal debris, live specimen, dead specimen, casings, and blood marks on here- the whole gambit. In the event you do identify any of this supporting evidence. Finding new accommodations may be in your best interest. 4. Qualify your friends. (In a discreet fashion of course). However, in the event you have a friend who advises Bedbug intrusion at home it is imperative that qualification occurs. -How long has your friend had this issue? -What have they done to protect themselves and in effect you from trans-location? -Are they trying to do this themselves or have they contracted professional aid? -Can you identify visual evidence either on your friend, their property or home?

Bedbugs translocate on their human hosts. Bedbug issues require professional aid, should be treated within (21) days of identification and should be addressed preventatively to protect those not yet affected. If any of these factors are not being employed by an individual in your environment- Issues will occur and potentially become very serious control variables. However, taking into account and digesting these (4) steps to prevention will significantly decrease the likelihood that your environment will become affected. Hopefully it helps!