Bed bugs are hitchhiking bugs. They move from one place of infestation to the next by laying their eggs in the items we carry, or by climbing into those items. This makes them impossible to keep out of a home because they act like a Trojan horse, crossing the barrier made by standard pest control services. A bed bug heat chamber is a pest control measure that targets bed bugs and works to prevent infestations from taking root.
As you are probably aware, heat kills bed bugs. It is most often used as a treatment option after bed bugs are discovered. Portable heat units are brought into a residence or business and used to raise the temperature of the structure to a constant level of heat that is enough to exterminate bed bugs. This is a highly effective and completely eco-friendly method for arresting bed bug infestations. But it doesn’t stop bed bugs “before” they infest.
Since bed bugs travel in the items we carry, treating “suspected” items before they are brought into our homes or businesses is the only way to prevent a bed bug infestation from taking root. While other pest control companies do routine inspections to catch infestations before they grow.
What items can be treated?
Smaller items such as clothes, furniture, electronics, luggage, sleeping bags, bedding, and more can be treated alone or in a group.
When is a good time to have items treated?
If you have college-age students returning for the holidays, and there have been reports of bed bugs in their dorm, a heat treatment is a good logical step before bringing their items into your home. If you’re moving from one location to another, especially due to bed bugs, a heat treatment of all your stuff can ensure that those bugs don’t move with you. If you bought something second hand or picked something up off the side of the road, it is always a good idea to make sure it is bug-free. If you’ve been on a vacation, it never hurts to make sure your bags and items don’t have any bed bug eggs in them. A heat treatment kills bed bugs in all stages of development, and it radiates through your items to get at bugs that could be hiding inside.
For more information, or to schedule to have your belongings treated, reach out to PTS. We look forward to helping you stay bug-free.