Bed Bug Control in Four Steps
Bed bug management requires a lot of work, a lot of time, and a lot of knowledge and experience to eliminate the pests. It is important that you thoroughly and visually inspect the site, correctly identify the pest, and determine the source and extent of the infestation.
The integrated approach to bed bug management consists of four steps: visual inspection, room preparation for treatment, treatment procedures, and follow-up.
Visual Inspection: Step 1 in Bed Bug Management
inspection tools
has. a strong flashlight
b. Magnifying glass
against Plastic zipper bag
d. crevice tool
me. Compressed air
f. screwdriver
gram. small tool kit
H. Alcohol, cotton swabs/baby wipes
Yo. sticky traps
d. Gloves, soapy water, cloth and sponge.
k. mirror with handle
ME. a notepad
Mister. on camera
No. Wrench
Y. hammer
what to look for
has. blood stains
b. dark fecal stains
against Eggs, eggshells, discarded skin
d. Bed bugs (adults and nymphs)
me. Pungent musty shoes or a disgusting sweet smell of an oily fluid discharged from glands in the chest
where to look
has. Inspect the areas where you spend most of your rest (for example, the bed, the sofa, and the chair).
b. Inspect bedding, pillows, and pillowcases.
Contra Inspect along the seam and in tufts and folds of the mattress and under the labels.
d. Inspect the box spring and bed frame.
me. Inspect the perimeter of the room, including floorboards, walls, baseboards, windows, doors, and carpet edges.
F. Inspect all furniture within the room.
gram. Inspect magazines, books, files, and newspapers on the shelves and on the floor.
H. Inspect all hangings (paintings, picture frames, mirrors, etc.)
Yo. Inspect furniture, box spring, bed frame, and floor for cracks and crevices and screw holes.
d. Inspect recesses and wall outlets, electrical switch plates, wall outlets, ceiling light fixtures, and ductwork.
Prepare the room for treatment: Step 2 in Bed Bug Management
has. Remove bedding, pillowcases, and pillows from the bed and store them in sealed plastic bags to wash and dry.
b. Store all other personal items in sealed plastic bags.
cons Disassemble the headboard and bed frame to examine for cracks and crevices.
d. Empty all closet drawers, desks, tables, dressers, and cupboards within the room and store the contents in sealed plastic bags.
me. Use a screwdriver to remove electrical switch plates, outlet covers, and wall plugs.
F. Remove all clutter from the floor and under the bed.
Treatment Application: Step 3 in Bed Bug Control
has. Vacuum the mattress, carpet, drawers, closets, and all surfaces infested with bed bugs.
b. Read and follow label directions before applying insecticide.
against Remove the vacuum bag, seal it in a plastic bag and dispose of it in the outside trash container.
d. Treat the mattress with appropriate treatments (eg steam treatment) and use mattress covers.
me. Apply proper treatment to infested furniture, cabinets, dressers, rugs, and all other items.
F. Apply residual chemical dust to cracks and crevices in furniture, floors, windows, outlets, and other shelters.
Types of treatment
Desiccant powder, insecticide sprays, heat treatment, steam treatment, freezing with Cryonite, fumigation or insect growth regulator
surface applications
has. Liquid insecticide is used to treat carpet edges, trim, and sometimes cracks and crevices to eliminate bed bugs from harborage.
b. Treat flat surfaces of upholstered furniture with powdered pesticide. Read the directions on pesticide labels before applying it to other furniture.
against Disassemble the cabinet guides and treat them with liquid pesticide.
d. Apply insecticide spray to the walls, the edges of the carpet, under the baseboard, and where the carpet meets the baseboard.
me. Treat the bed frame and headboard, including joints, slots and screw holes, with a direct contact spray. Use powdered insecticide in cracks and crevices.
F. Use a mattress cover after treating the mattress.
Follow-up Procedures: Step 4 in Bed Bug Management
After about 10 days, use monitoring devices to watch for bed bug activity. Inspect and treat all shelters one more time. Repeat the process until all the pests are eliminated.
Bed bug control requires focus, patience, and time. It’s best to hire a pest control company to do the job if you’re not up for the task. If shelters are not treated thoroughly, you will not get rid of pests.