The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) attributes the increase in the number of bed bug infestations around the country to increase in travel, lack of prevention, the resistance of these pests to pesticides, and ineffective pest control strategies.

According to a Modesto pest control company, there is no single way to effectively get rid of bed bugs in a property. There are, however, chemical and non-chemical methods that can be used to effectively control bed bugs.

One such non-chemical method is bed bug heat treatment.

The basic premise of this treatment method is that increasing the heat inside a home or building to a certain temperature level kills bed bugs. Essentially, the treatment turns your home into a virtual oven that cooks the bugs dead.

Extreme temperatures can cause organ damage or even fatalities. And just like other living creatures, bed bugs can succumb to extreme heat.

One advantage of heat treatment is that it addresses one of the difficulties in controlling these pests – finding their hiding places.

When a high level of heat is applied inside a property, the bugs are killed no matter where they hide.

But if there is one drawback to heat treatment, that would be the fact that it cannot prevent re-infestation.

This is particularly true if neighboring properties are also infested.

There are two crucial factors that need to come into play for heat to be used as an effective method of controlling bed bugs inside a property. First is the amount of time the heat is applied, and second is the actual temperature.

According to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), in order for heat treatment to become effective, the treatment should be administered for 90 minutes at a temperature of 113 degrees Fahrenheit. The duration can be shortened to 20 minutes but the temperature needs to be increased to 118 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the insect’s eggs can still survive a temperature level of 118 degrees Fahrenheit, hence the need to expose the building interior to this level of heat beyond 90 minutes.

Due to the intense heat, a home’s occupants need to stay out of the house. But apart from that, there is another important reason why you and your loved ones should stay out of the house: the bed bugs can hitch a ride on your clothes.

Heat treatment is not recommended for all homes and buildings.

Before the treatment is administered, the pest control firm should first determine if the home or building is suitable. In some cases, some work needs to be done in order to make the treatment effective. That may include applying caulk to the cracks on the walls, windows, and doors. Alternatively,

Before the treatment is administered, the pest control firm should first determine if the home or building is suitable. In some cases, some work needs to be done in order to make the treatment effective. That may include applying caulk to the cracks on the walls, windows, and doors. Alternatively, foam can be used instead of caulk. If you are looking for bed bug treatment, please contact us today!