Suppose you are a homeowner experiencing bed bug infestation. In that case, you are probably tired of dealing with them every night when you’re about to go to bed. You have probably tried using different methods but found no success, and considering the use of chemicals can also be more dangerous to your health than having a higher chance of getting rid of bed bugs.
The good thing about treating bed bugs in today’s time doesn’t always resort to using excessive chemicals to fight these pesky creatures. One example is the Chemical-Free method.
The good thing about exploring non-toxic options is it gives you more freedom to treat bed bugs without risking your health and safety.
Due to the non-toxic method of treating bed bugs, homeowners can rest assured that they can efficiently treat infestations without excessive chemicals.
In this blog, you can explore non-toxic options to eliminate these pesky creatures.
Overview of Chemical-Free Extermination Methods
Insecticides are now a thing of the past. Although they are effective for severe infestation cases, some professionals don’t recommend them for treating bed bugs, especially if you have pets, children, allergic reactions, and other health-related concerns.
When a problem occurs, an alternative can be the best way to do it rather than relying on traditional methods. Like curing bed bug infestation, switching to chemical-free extermination methods can be a better solution.
Suppose you are sensitive to chemicals and other medicine for treating bed bugs. In that case, you should consider using chemical-free extermination methods. It keeps you from harm’s way and is much cheaper than chemicals.
To understand further the chemical-free ways, here are the methods for treating bed bug infestations in your home.
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Heat Treatment
One thing to know about bed bugs is they are sensitive to heat. They can’t withstand a temperature of 113 Fahrenheit. So why not give them a taste of their medicine?
Heat treatment raises the room temperature from 120 degrees Fahrenheit to 135 degrees Fahrenheit. At this rate, bed bugs and their eggs won’t be able to survive the scorching temperature.
Remember that before the process, it is advisable to remove any materials that are sensitive to heat to avoid melting, and make sure not to leave your furry friends inside because they can also suffer from the heat.
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Steam Treatment
A similar method to heat treatment is steam treatment. Steam treatment doesn’t heat up the entire room compared to heat treatment. In this method, you can use a machine with boiling water and roll to the areas with bed bugs and their eggs.
While heat treatment overall affects the room, you can get more specific about the places you want to cure with steam treatment—the steam of the hot water from the machine heat up the bed bugs. The hot temperature makes it intolerable to bed bugs.
The best way to use the steam is to let it flow around cracks and crevices at your home where bed bugs can hide. And if you are having trouble using the machine, it’s always safe to hire an expert to help you with it.
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Cold Treatment
Aside from heating the temperature of your room or the areas where you found the bed bugs, cold treatment is also a way to eradicate them. Although bed bugs took the opportunity to attack during cold weather, they aren’t immune to the cold.
During cold treatment, the temperature should go below zero degrees Fahrenheit to eliminate the pesky creatures. This method requires patience, as it can last around three or four days. But it is still better than resorting to the traditional pesticide.
In cold treatment, it will be difficult for bed bugs to move and find other hiding places. However, this process requires specialized equipment and the help of a professional to execute the treatment.
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Vacuuming and Mechanical Removal
Vacuums are a beneficial tool in fighting bed bugs. Since bed bugs love to hide in corners and tight places, the vacuum is an excellent help in sucking these creatures entirely from your room. Just by letting your vacuum run in the area infested, it’s inevitable that it will suck a lot of bed bugs inside.
Mechanical removal has a flexible process like brushing or trapping. So if some bed bug population still survives the first method, the second method will surely end them. The best way to use the vacuum is during the night when you are about to go to bed since this is the time when they are active, and you can spot them crawling in your bedroom.
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Encasements and Physical Barriers
Treating bed bugs have become more innovative than before. Encasements and Physical Barriers work like a wall to bed bugs from not getting inside quickly to your room.
Aside from crevices, cracks, and wood, bed bugs also love to hide in mattresses. Nowadays, you can buy physical barriers like encasement for mattresses, box springs, and pillows, which proved very effective against bed bugs.
When selecting an encasement, choose the right size to fit your mattress.
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Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Approach
This process involves a more controlled approach to dealing with bed bugs. If you want to control bed bugs while minimizing risks to people and the environment, This is the process you should choose. This process is suitable in urban areas, agricultural, and natural areas.
Non-toxic methods are great to incorporate in IPM since it dramatically minimizes the effects on people and the environment. But during the process, it’s essential to monitor it properly to prevent harm to health and safety.
Considerations and Limitations
Non-toxic methods for exterminating bed bugs are great, but some limitations remain. Since the chemical-free treatments use machines, removing bed bugs in tight areas will be challenging.
However, although it is challenging, it is proven that these methods are also effective in curing bed bug infestation without pesticides. Homeowners should check several treatment methods for extermination first or ask a bed bug professional in Atlanta for guidance.
Have a bed-bug-free house today!
Chemical-free extermination processes are effective without risking your health and the environment. If you have children or pets, switch to the non-traditional way to treat bed bugs to keep them safe.
Again, there are now multiple methods to treat bed bugs, so don’t choose the one that will risk your health.