Businesses, like hotels and apartments, are vulnerable to bed bug infestations. Having many different individuals and families staying in these locations brings greater opportunity for bed bugs to enter. Most people get bed bugs by bringing them in, either on their clothing, in bedding or on furniture. Whether a new tenant is moving in or a tourist is staying the night, this opens up companies to the liability of bed bugs. 

Bed bugs are bloodsucking insects. They can be difficult to see and detect. Most people identify an issue because of itchy bites and allergic reactions. Controlling bed bugs requires a multi-faceted approach that may involve a combination of treatment methods. Here are some of the most common types of bed bug control, including commercial disinfecting in Yakima.

Heat Treatment

Rated the #1 way to treat bed bugs, heat treatment is highly effective. It kills bed bugs in all stages of development. The process involves heating up a room to a temperature of 120 to 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Bed bugs can withstand the head, and it is considered lethal to bed bugs. Luckily, heat treatments are safe for just about everything else, like humans and pets. Though you shouldn’t be in space during heat treatment, it doesn’t have or use any chemicals. 

Chemical Treatment

The chemical treatment uses special insecticides to kill bed bugs and their eggs. Chemical treatments can be applied as a liquid or spray. The good thing about chemical treatments is that they can be localized and reapplied as needed. If a technician knows where bed bugs are hiding, the focus of the treatment can be applied in that area. Most chemicals are safe to use around humans but aren’t always ideal for the hospitality industry.  

Steam Treatment

Steam treatment involves the use of high-pressure steam to kill bed bugs and their eggs. The steam will instantly kill bed bugs; the great thing about steam is that it can penetrate into cracks and crevices where bed bugs may be hiding. Steam treatment is an effective method of bed bug control— suitable for all types of surfaces.

Encasing Items

Mattress and box springs are often the sources of bed bug infestation. Because the problem might be contained to these areas, the encasement is a great choice. These are special covers that are designed to trap bed bugs inside and prevent them from biting. Encasements are effective as they can prevent bed bugs from hiding in the mattress or box spring. However, they are not standalone solutions, and other options might be needed, like chemical treatments, to be fully effective.