Don’t DIY That: Bed Bug Control

There are certain jobs around the house that are perfect for do-it-yourself (DIY) enthusiasts. DIY furniture hacks? Sure. DIY drywall repair? Not as much fun, but manageable. Do-it-yourself pest control, specifically bed bugs? Put down the tools and stop right where you are.

If you’ve ever had the misfortune of dealing with these pests, you know that DIY bed bug treatment is an intense undertaking. Therefore, it’s a good idea to leave this task to professionals who are knowledgeable and trained in bed bug control, like the professionals at Terminix®.

Learn about the troubles bed bugs can cause in your home, along with the reasons you should leave treatment to a professional.

Problems that Bed Bugs Can Cause

One issue associated with bed bug infestations is the bites they can leave behind. Bed bugs can leave flat, red welts on their host. However, not all people will have a reaction to bed bugbites, therefore bites aren't the best indication of a bed bug problem. Markings that look like a bite may not be a bed bug bite at all. These markings could be a different biting pest or even a skin condition.

As these aptly named insects are most active when you’re in bed at night, it’s only logical that an infestation can greatly impact your sleep quality. Even if you don’t feel the bugs bite, the itchingwelts — which can stick around for two weeks or more — could either wake you up or hinder your ability to sleep in the first place. Also, if you think you have an infestation, just the thought of bed bugs maybe being in your room can impact your sleep.

Additionally, bed bug infestations are notorious for spreading rapidly. This is because they can move around a home in your belongings, such as your shoes, clothes and other personal items that can appear as the population is rapidly spreading. Dealing with an infestation can be a nightmare, whether you’re in a house, apartment or condo.

If you think you have bed bug bites, you should see a medical professional. If you think you have bed bugs, you should contact bed bug control professionals.

Effectiveness Issues When It Comes to DIY Bed Bug Treatment

Can the all-knowing internet provide options for do-it-yourself bed bug control? While you’ll undoubtedly find a slew of methods that people swear by, like using alcohol to kill bed bugs, the likelihood of online bed bug control working is slim.  Here’s why:

1. It can be difficult to identify bed bugs, as they closely resemble their bat bug cousins.
2. Bed bugs cannot be diagnosed based on their bites alone, and it’s not uncommon for people to confuse flea bites and bed bug bites. Bed bug and other arthropod bites could also look similar to an allergic reaction caused by something unrelated to arthropods.
3. Many infestations will require multiple treatments and missing an application could result in you having to start all over again. Bed bugs are found in areas where do-it-yourself methods may not reach the bed bugs, therefore these methods are not likely to eliminate the pests.
4. Using only one method — as opposed to approaching the problem with multiple treatment techniques — can greatly reduce effectiveness.
5. Believe it or not, do-it-yourself bed bug control methods can make an infestation worse.

Does DIY Bed Bug Treatment Actually Save You Money?

In the long run, DIY bed bug control probably won’t save you money. A large number of DIY bed bug treatments end the same way… with a phone call to a bed bug control professional. And as DIY techniques can make the issue worse, you’ll only be throwing away the money you spent trying to tackle the issue on your own.

Bed Bug Treatment Methods Need to be Performed Correctly

As touched on before, there are different methods for bed bug removal. Sometimes, multiple methods need to be used together to successfully remove a bed bug infestation. Bed bug control professionals are trained to identify bed bugs, measure the extent of the infestation and perform the appropriate and effective treatment(s). There are also guidelines and labels to follow when using these treatment methods, some of which can be difficult to understand if you aren't trained to do so. Not following these labels could have consequences.

The Solution to Bed Bug Infestations

It would be great if saying, “Don’t let the bed bugs bite,” got rid of these insects. Unfortunately, that incantation doesn’t quite cut it. When it comes to bed bug treatment, it’s best to call on a professional. Terminix offers a free inspection for bed bugs, so give us a call as soon as you suspect a problem, so we can help get you back to sleeping tightly.

 

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