Bed Bugs in Edmonton | Does Paint Kills Bed Bugs
No one wants to discover that they have bed bugs in their home. Many people think that a bed bug infestation wouldn’t be possible because they keep their homes fastidiously clean. However, bed bug expert and entomologist Jun Bukht, owner of Major Pest Control, says that’s a common myth.
Bed bugs happily thrive in very clean homes as well as messy or dirty homes. As long as they are close to their source of food—blood meals from humans—they will live just about anywhere and on almost every continent except Antarctica. Therefore, it’s beneficial for everyone to be aware of the signs of an infestation and what first steps of action they can take to minimize and eliminate it.
Discovering an infestation involves understanding the first signs that bed bugs have settled in your home. Bites on your body are a sign because bed bugs feed on your blood – usually at night while you’re sleeping, giving them the name bed bugs.
However, Major Pest Control owner Jun Bukht cautions that not everyone actually reacts to bed bug bites, so the absence of bites does not mean there aren’t bed bugs in your home. Bites alone can’t definitively diagnose bed bugs either. Watch for more signs if you or your loved ones have bites on their body.
Evidence of Bed Bugs in Your Home
Bed bug exoskeletons will be present near egg clusters or near their hiding places. As bed bugs grow, they will shed their exoskeletons, so look for them in the cracks or crevices of your mattress and around floorboards.
You may also find bloodstains on your bedding – this is evidence of their feeding. They may appear as rust-coloured spots and will likely be on your sheets, pillowcases, and comforters. You may also find dark spots on your bedding or bedframe, walls, or floors. These will be darker than the bloodstains and will be the fecal matter left behind by these insects.
Once the bed bug infestation gets large enough, some people say there is a sweet but musty smell, similar to rotting raspberries. This is more prominent as the colony gets larger. And finally, you will start to see bed bugs themselves. Keep in mind that they are very small, so they will excel at hiding, but you may spot live bugs crawling on furniture, walls, or, most likely, in your bed at night.
Bed Bugs in Edmonton | Make Your Bed An Island
There are many different things that homeowners can do once they’ve discovered the infestation, such as moving their bed six inches away from the walls and other furniture and making sure that no bedding touches the ground.
This makes it harder for bed bugs to get to you, their food source. Also, vacuum thoroughly but carefully so you don’t inadvertently spread the bugs from one room to the other.
Laundering bedding in very hot water (120F) and dry the bedding on high heat in the dryer to kill any bugs and eggs that are on your sheets. Encasing your mattress and box spring in specialized covers to prevent bed bugs from infesting your mattress or prevent them from escaping if they are already there.
Bed Bugs are Difficult to Get Rid of on Your Own
The most important thing you can do if you find bed bugs in your home is call your local pest control company, such as the experts at Major Pest Control in Edmonton. The owner is an entomologist, making them extremely knowledgeable about getting rid of these pests and ensuring they stay gone.
They use a variety of methods, from effective pesticides and heat treatments, to ensure these bugs get evicted from your home permanently. In fact, they guarantee that they will get rid of your bed bug problem. Not only do they know the most effective techniques, they also know what doesn’t work to get rid of these bugs.
Paint Will Not Eliminate Bed Bugs
One of the most common questions that Major Pest Control gets is from people wondering if a coat of paint can get rid of their bed bug problem. Owner Jun Buhkt says that bed bugs are resilient pests that can survive for several months without feeding, and they are adept at hiding in cracks, crevices, and other inaccessible areas. While paint can seal cracks and crevices, preventing bed bugs from hiding in them, it is not a standalone solution for eliminating an infestation.
Other ineffective methods of removal include DIY pesticides. Bukht says that many bed bugs have developed resistance to many common pesticides, and they are skilled at hiding in hard-to-reach areas, making it difficult for these products to reach and kill them all.
Foggers and bug bombs release insecticides in aerosol form to treat a large area. However, these products are generally ineffective against bed bugs because they cannot penetrate the hiding places where bed bugs typically reside. Additionally, foggers can cause bed bugs to scatter and spread to other areas, exacerbating the infestation.
Essential Oil Will Not Deter Bed Bugs
Many homeowners turn to essential oils to help out. Unfortunately, while some essential oils, such as tea tree oil or lavender oil, have insecticidal properties, they are not typically effective at eradicating a bed bug infestation. Their effects on bed bugs are generally limited, and they may only repel or temporarily deter bed bugs rather than eliminate them entirely.
Ultrasonic devices claim to emit high-frequency sounds that repel bed bugs. However, there is limited scientific evidence to support their effectiveness in controlling or eliminating bed bug infestations. Bed bugs primarily rely on their ability to detect carbon dioxide and body heat to locate their hosts, and ultrasonic sounds are unlikely to significantly deter them.
Contact the experts today
Quite simply, the most effective way to eliminate a bed bug infestation is through a comprehensive approach that includes professional pest control services like Major Pest Control, proper sanitation, thorough cleaning, and targeted insecticide treatments. Don’t despair if you have bed bugs; contact Major Pest Control right away to help you quickly regain control of your home!