DO’S AND DON’TS FOR BED BUGS

Bed bugs are still very unfamiliar to many and people often react by throwing everything away thinking they are throwing out the problem.

Some people go online and follow directions, which are often the wrong thing to do for bed bugs.

Take a few moments and read this thoroughly so you don’t make the mistakes many others do.

DO I HAVE TO THROW ALL MY FURNITURE AWAY?

Bed bugs can be at different levels of infestations and even if you threw away all your furniture, you could still have bed bugs. You might have some hiding under carpets or electrical outlets. These that are left behind will continue to lay eggs and create more problems down the line.

Bedbugs are a treatable situation (even in serious infestations), and unless you have a piece of furniture that is old, torn or beat up, has no sentimental value, and you have no need for it, there is no need to toss it.
Having your furniture inspected by our dogs can help prevent from tossing it out.

BED BUG HIDING PLACES

Because bedbugs live solely on blood, as their name implies, bed bugs are commonly associated with areas where we sleep or relax. As infestations grow they can be found outside the bed in dressers, chair cushions, sofas, electrical outlets, folds of draperies, clocks, phones, shoes, cracks and crevices, under carpet tacks, around baseboards, picture frames, under the bed, in books, door hinges, light fixtures, in wheelchairs and in or under any clutter or objects near a bed or lounging area.

Our certified bedbug detection dogs can find all the areas where they may be.

DISCARDING FURNITURE AND OTHER ITEMS

In most cases, it is not necessary to dispose of furniture, prior to treatment. In fact, depending on the size of the infestation, the condition and age of the furniture, most infested furniture can be cleaned and treated.

Whenever discarding items, be sure to wrap, seal and mark items (BED BUG INFESTED) before disposal. Someone’s trash is another’s treasure and can fall into the hands of someone who now brings bed bugs into their home spreading the infestation throughout the community.
(Here’s a handy printable that can be attached to infested furniture or items)

ADDING NEW FURNITURE

If you make the decision to discard any furniture items and need to replace them – do not replace anything until your bed bug treatment is 100% successful. You risk infesting your new furniture and having to start treatment all over again.

Have our dogs comes in and check for bed bugs to make sure they are all gone before replacing items.

CAN I FREEZE BED BUGS TO KILL THEM?

Bed bugs have heat and cold tolerance levels and the lethal temperatures, which bed bugs cannot stand, are below zero degrees and above one hundred and thirteen degrees.
(Click here for bed bug temperature chart)
When temperatures drop, the bed bug goes into diapause, which is like hibernation. They can remain in this state for long periods and wake during warmer temperatures. A standard home freezer doesn’t get cold enough to kill them.

CAN BED BUGS FEED ON DOGS?

Bed bugs have a terrible time navigating through hair or fur because of the shape of their claw-like feet (tarsi’s), so unless you have a serious infestation where bed bugs are taking up harborage in your dog’s bedding and the dog is missing fur, it’s probably safe to say no.

WHAT IS THE BEST TREATMENT FOR BED BUGS?

To date, the best treatment for bed bugs is heat. When done properly, bed bugs cannot survive lethal temperatures of heat.

CAN I HEAT UP MY HOME TO KILL THEM?

Bed bugs are easily killed by heat when raised to lethal temperatures for them; however, your home heater can’t reach these temperatures. All you will get is a huge electric bill.

Professional heat treatments will get the ambit temperature up to between 135⁰ and 165⁰.

Don’t “Do It Yourself” unless you truly have no choice.

If you are on an extremely tight budget and there is no way you can afford professional help, make sure you understand the nature of bed bugs and learn how to create an action plan that will work.

You have to think strategically when it comes to eradicating bedbugs.

Start with a dog bed bug inspection so you know exactly where the bed bugs are so you can concentrate and focus your efforts.

The IBBRA has a book “How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs on a Tight Budget” that will walk you through each step carefully so you get the best results.

How Can I Avoid Them While Traveling?

Just because you encounter bed bugs while traveling doesn’t mean that you have to bring them home to invade your home. The IBBRA has written a travel book that guarantees that if you follow everything written in the book, you will not bring bed bugs back from a trip to invade your home. Find the book here.

If you should suspect you picked up a hitchhiker, have a dog bed bug inspection to check your luggage, personal items or car to make sure you didn’t.

Don’t sleep in another room to avoid bed bug bites.

Don’t scratch your bites! I know this seems obvious, but it’s easier said than done. Scratching will only make them worse and can lead to infection.