Hiring a pest management professional is important for bed bug treatment. From the very first bite, it can take up to 5 weeks to notice an infestation. This is when the pests come to maturity and begin laying their eggs. Bed bug sprays may be effective at the first bite, but only if you know for sure it’s a bed bug. Most of us don’t realize it right away. Hiring a professional ensures that you get the right bug treatment for your situation.
Treating Bed Bug Infestation Takes Time
Treating bed bugs can be a time-hog. It depends on how many rooms have been infested and how badly. Even though bed bugs are found in beds, they can be found all over the home in upholstered furniture and clothing. It will take anywhere from a half-hour to a couple of hours per room to apply the bed bug treatment. When your pest expert comes to the home for assessment, get clarification on how long the job will take.
Tips On What To Do When You Come Home
It usually takes just a few hours for the home to clear out and be safe for you to enter. Heat treatment is the most effective method and leaves a room quite unpleasant to be in. When you come in, the first thing to do is open all the windows to allow for cool fresh air to enter.
You can also do the following:
- Wash and dry all clothing and bedsheets at high heat
- Steam clean all furniture
- Steam and vacuum all your carpets and rugs
If your professional has used chemical bed bug treatment, clarify the best things for you to do upon coming home. You may need to do more deep-cleaning of surfaces to protect your pets and family from the chemicals.
Why Do I Have More Bed Bugs?
If your professional has used a chemical, or only treated one room, it is possible to see more bed bugs after the treatment. Many bed bugs will flee the room being treated and find a place to hide. Some surviving bed bugs are from eggs that were in another room that you were unaware of.
If it’s been a while and you still have bed bugs, you may need to try a different treatment to rid yourself of the pests. Heat treatment is the most effective of all treatments.
Preventing Future Infestations
The best way for you to prevent future infestations is to routinely check for pests. If you live in an apartment or duplex, the bed bugs may be coming from somewhere else that needs treatment and a landowner should be contacted. For your own home, hiring one of our professionals to routinely check your home is ideal. We come with years of experience and the know-how to keep your home bed bug safe.
FAQs
Can you sleep in your bed after bed bug treatment?
It is perfectly fine to resume sleeping on your bed after a bed bug treatment. However, note that you may have to wait for around four to five hours after the treatment to return to the house. Also, ensure to use bed casings before getting on the bed.
Can bed bugs come back after professional treatment?
No. Bed bugs will not return after professional treatment. However, we must stress that not everyone who claims to be a professional is actually one. If the treatment is not applied correctly or if the wrong treatment is applied, you may resume seeing bed bugs in your bed after a few weeks. Ensure you are working with a professional with years of experience in the business and proven results to show.
How long after treatment do you know bed bugs are gone?
Even after one professional treatment, you may still need to be on the lookout to be fully sure that you no longer have bed bugs in your bed. That can take four to six weeks because that is how long it takes to really exterminate bed bugs completely.
Do bed bugs live in carpets?
Bed bugs cannot live inside carpets, as they’d rather not burrow holes through them. However, if your carpet is very furry, you can find them on the surface. As long as they can hide from plain sight, they can live on the carpet.
How many visits does it take to get rid of bed bugs?
Working with a professional can take around two to three visits to completely rid your home of bed bugs and their eggs. These visits can span four to six weeks, depending on the severity of the infestation.
