How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs in Florida

If you have bed bugs, it’s important to get rid of them quickly and effectively. Your best bet at getting rid of a bed bug infestation is to hire an exterminator. 

Professional bed bug exterminators will use a treatment proven to remove the entire bed bug population from your property. These treatments are usually:

1. Bed bug fumigation
2. Bed bug insecticides 
3. Bed bug steam treatment
4. Bed bug heat treatment

What’s the Best Bed Bug Treatment?

Contrary to what one may think, a heat treatment (or thermal remediation), is considered to be the most effective bed bug removal solution. In addition to being effective, it is also a non-toxic, low-risk, and chemical-free option. Further, it leaves homeowners with little disruption to everyday life and also protects the home from needing to replace ruined items from another more invasive method. Some of the benefits of heat treatment include:

• Heat above 120ºF is proven to kill all stages of the bed bug life cycle from eggs to adults.
• Even infested furniture and mattresses can still be used after the heat treatment is done.
• The treatment, which lasts approximately up to three hours, will be completely effective and not warrant another treatment.

Bed Bug Insecticide Use

Conventional insecticides are a common approach for bed bug removal. From liquids to dust, insecticides allow for spot treatments of bed bugs. After focusing on hotspots, several areas can be treated, including baseboards, floor, and wall junctions, behind electrical outlets and switches, cracks in the walls and floors, and more. The intent is to treat every possible hiding place to ensure bed bugs are 100% eliminated. Of course, this treatment is more invasive than heat treatment and may necessitate follow-up treatments.

Is Bed Bug Steam Treatment & Fumigation Safe?

A steam treatment is similar to a heat treatment as it delivers a lethal temperature to the bed bugs. The steam can access inaccessible areas where bed bugs may be hiding and is known to be an effective and chemical-free option. 

Fumigation, on the other hand, is a chemical-laden way to get rid of an infestation. The process of fumigation includes taping off the entire property to release a fumigant into the structure. This method is disruptive to day-to-day life as you would have to leave your home for several days while this took place. Fumigation is highly effective but considered as a last resort for bed bug treatment.