Our Guide to Bed Bug Extermination

Our Method: Heat Treatment Vs. Chemical Application

For several years, Aanteater Pest Control used a heat treatment program as a way to treat for bed bugs. There was simply no alternative pest management method that was as or more effective. However, recent advances in pesticide technology, application methods, as well as our long-term experience with heat treatment have shown that it is no longer the most effective method of extermination. New chemical applications have a higher success rate and heat treatment methods are significantly more expensive and may cause damage to your home or belongings. Although we had a large and powerful heat treatment system, Aanteater Pest Control no longer recommends heat treatment in any situation.

Our treatment for bed bugs consists of a dust application in all affected areas, and requires two treatments to completely eliminate an infestation. These two chemical applications are done approximately 14 days apart. Read on for more information about preparation for an upcoming treatment, or give our office a call at 905-387-9300 or 1-888-390-PEST(7378)

Bed Bugs and Pesticides

Many pest control companies made the switch to heat treatments due to bed bugs becoming resistant to pesticides. Pyrethroid-based pesticides as well as a later family of chemicals called organophosphates nearly eliminated bed bugs in the 1950s, and made them uncommon in Canada and the U.S. However, many countries throughout the world continued to struggle with bed bugs. These remaining populations mutated and evolved dramatically over the last 65 years until conventional pesticides were no longer effective; bed bugs have become resistant to them over time.

The latest pesticides (the treatment that Aanteater Pest Control uses) have a completely different approach to that of pyrethroid-based or organophosphate pesticides. They are a family of desiccants – a substance used as a drying agent. Once exposed, the bed bugs quickly become dehydrated and die in less than 24 hours. These chemicals are very low in toxicity and are constantly improving in their effectiveness. They also tend to have a longer lasting residual which continues to work after the technician has left.

How do I know if I have Bed Bugs?

Insect bites are not distinguishable from hives or any number of rashes, and therefore bites are not proof of a bed bug infestation. Your “bites” may be a sensitivity or allergic reaction. Unfortunately even a doctor will not be able to tell whether the bite is from a bed bug, a mosquito or even caused by an insect as everyone reacts to bites differently. The best evidence is an adult bed bug. Bed bug casings, eggs, or dark marks on your mattress may also be indications of an infestation. As our society has become increasingly urban with more and more people living in closer proximity to each other, it becomes very easy for bed bugs to spread. In this day and age, it is very important that you know how to inspect for bed bugs and that you know the warning signs.

The most common place to find bed bugs is on your bed or bed frame. Completing a thorough search of these areas may help to catch and treat an infestation early and prevent it from spreading. Here are some tips for inspecting your bed for bed bugs:

• Pull your sheets off of the mattress and inspect the piping running along the sides of the mattress.

• Using a flashlight, check the seams and folds of the mattress. Bed Bugs tend to hide in warm areas. Don’t forget to check the box spring in these areas as well.

• Make sure to pull the mattress away from the headboard in order to get a clear view, checking all of the crevices and corners of the headboard.

• Take the mattress off of the bed, lift the box spring, and look along the bed frame where the box spring typically sits.

• There are plastic corner guards on the bottom corners of most box springs, and these are a favourite hiding place for bed bugs.

• We suggest you also tear the webbing from the bottom of the box spring and inspect the inside of the mattress itself. They may also be hiding along the baseboard at the head of the bed.

Remember: if you do not find any evidence of bed bugs during an at-home inspection, this does not necessarily mean you do not have a bed bug issue.

If you are experiencing bites, you have seen evidence of bed bugs, or think you might have an issue with them, do not hesitate to give our office a call at 905-387-9300 or 1-888-390-PEST(7378), and one of our knowledgeable staff will be happy to schedule you a free quote.

What Do Bed Bugs Look Like?

Bed bugs are small, reddish-brown bugs ranging about 4-5mm long and 1.5-3mm wide. These bugs range in colour depending on when the bed bug has last fed. They can appear brown, or darker red if they have fed more recently. A bed bug that has been feeding recently looks swollen, and tends to appear more red than brown. Reddish or rust coloured marks on the mattress appear when a bed bug has been crushed after feeding. They have flat, oval-shaped bodies and their movements are very similar to that of ants. This shape allows the bed bugs to hide in the small cracks and crevices of your bedframe, making them difficult to detect.

Young bed bugs, or instars, vary in size from 1-4mm depending on their stage of development. At birth, they can appear almost translucent, to a reddish-brown colour that is similar to adult bed bugs.

Bed Bug eggs are around 1mm and appear white in colour, making it very difficult to detect through the naked eye. When performing an inspection of your mattress, make sure to use a magnifying glass as this will make it easier to detect eggs.

As baby bed bugs grow and develop, they shed their skin. Before reaching full maturity, they shed a total of 5 times. These skin casings are lighter in colour and appear to be empty bed bug shells. These can also be difficult to see with the naked eye.

How Did I Get Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs have frequently been referred to as “Hitchhiker” pests. This means that they are brought into the home on your clothing, in your luggage or your purse, etc. Due to their size, it is very easy for bed bugs to travel from one home to another without being detected. It’s also very easy for bed bugs to spread from one home to another through the infrastructure of the home. For example, it’s very common to find bed bugs in several apartments of a high-rise building, even if the residents are not travelling from one apartment to another. Townhouses can also be vulnerable to the spreading of bed bugs, so it’s very important that these infestations are detected and treated early.

There is a problem with bed bug awareness, and the lack of public knowledge has had a major effect on how quickly they have spread. If a homeowner does not know what to look for, an infestation could go undetected for months. There is a growing social stigma surrounding bed bugs, and many victims do not seek treatment out of embarrassment. It’s important to remember that a bed bug infestation is not a sign of an unclean home. An infestation can start anywhere, and it’s important to seek treatment right away in order to prevent the problem from getting worse. An infestation can begin with a single, fertile bed bug. The moment a bed bug is brought into a home, that home in vulnerable to a potential problem.

How to prepare for bed bug treatment

Before our treatment begins, all occupants (including dogs, cats, birds, hamsters, etc.) of the units being treated are to leave and not enter for at least 4 hours after the technician arrives. Aquariums can remain in place as long as the filtration and aeration systems are turned off and the tank is adequately covered. Filtration and aeration equipment should be turned back on 6 hours after treatment.

Please note, the results of your treatment will vary depending on how closely the preparation requirements are followed. If preparation is not followed correctly, it may take several treatments to eradicate the infestation. The more closely you follow the preparation, the faster you will be rid of the bed bug infestation.

TENANT/HOME OWNER PREPARATION:

The tenants must:

• Vacuum all carpets as well as vacuum and sweep all floors and baseboards with the vacuum hose or crevice tool. After application is done please take care NOT to vacuum up the dust applied by the technician for at least 3 months. This will be explained to you in detail on day of treatment.

• All clutter and extra items must be removed from the floor of the bedroom, especially from under beds. Clutter must be put in green garbage bags before it is removed from the bedroom and immediately taken outside. Items must be disposed of, or kept out of the house or apartment for at least 1 year.

• If any furniture has been moved while vacuuming, return it to its usual place. This does not include the bed.

• The beds must be moved 12 inches from the wall and must remain there for at least 30 DAYS. Must be on BED FRAMES.

• Vacuum the bed frame.

• Discard the vacuum bag (place in tightly/sealed garbage bag before disposal).

• Tenants should bag up all clothing that is in contact with the floor and all clothes in dressers or cupboards. This does not include clothes hanging in closets.

• This clothing should be run through the dryer for 25 minutes on the hottest setting. Clothes may be washed, however, it is not necessary to wash clothes for this application. When the drying cycles are complete, clothes cannot be returned to the bedroom.

• Leave all items on bookshelves, nightstands or other furniture in the immediate area.

BEDS:

• All beds MUST be on frames. Mattresses on the floor cannot be treated.

• Someone MUST remain sleeping in ALL infested rooms until bed bugs are eradicated.

• Beds must be bare and moved 12” from the wall when the technician arrives. All bedding, slip covers, pillow cases, box spring skirts etc. Must be removed and cycled through the dryer for min 25 minutes prior to the tech arriving.

• A bed bug monitor will be placed under active infested beds if frame allows. This procedure must be followed before any other treatments if required.

• Pillows should also be placed in the drier on high heat for 25 minutes.

• Only a fitted sheet should be put on mattress after treatment, Note: if you are using a mattress cover it must be on the day of the first treatment.

SOFAS & CHAIRS:

• All chair covers, throws and pillows must be cycled through the dryer prior to treatment on high heat for at least 25 minutes.

Not sure if you have bed bugs?

The first step to proper extermination is pinpointing the location of the infestation, and finding evidence of bed bug habitation. If you suspect an infestation, do not hesitate to call Aanteater Pest Control Services at 905-387-9300 or 1-888-390-PEST(7378)), as one of our trained, experienced professionals will be able to determine if there is indeed a bed bug issue.

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