How to get rid of bed bugs?

Bed bugs are a scourge that has strongly reappeared in recent times, thanks in part to the globalization of society. Knowing about it, and getting advice from specialized professionals, is the key to effectively eradicating every bed bug infestation.

It is a pest especially associated with hotels, residences, hostels and also affects homes, because its habits of living near furniture, bed frames, mattresses, etc. and its need to bite to suck blood, make that infestations in this type of establishments occur easily.

Bedbug infestations require total eradication, its control is not enough, being hematophagous insects, that is, they feed on blood, even some tropical species are potential vectors of diseases like Chagas disease, among others.

Today, we show you step by step what to do to eliminate a bed bug plague, since the problem has been diagnosed and therefore it is necessary to act as soon as possible to prevent its spread.

The treatment companies must perform it according to standard operating procedures, which guarantee the solution (eradication) of the infestation, through protocolized actions.

STEP 1: BLOCKING AND PREPARATION OF THE ROOM FOR TREATMENT :

Once the living room or room is out of use, the various elements must be disassembled by the maintenance or cleaning staff:

Remove all bedding for washing, it should not be placed on the floor, it should be put directly into tightly sealed bags. If bed bugs are observed in the bedding, it should be kept in the room without a bag to be treated inside. Bedding should be washed at least 60ºC for 60 minutes, then dried at least 45ºC for 30 minutes to eliminate all possible stages.

Remove headboards, electrical outlets, light fixtures, any plastic casing and wall coverings.

Empty all closets, drawers, nightstands and get rid of all papers and flyers.

Bring any laundry carts used in the room to the room to be treated as well.

Seal the bedroom door under the threshold with masking tape to prevent bed bugs from getting out.

It is very important that bed bugs are NOT transferred to other areas during the room preparation process.

STEP 2: ROOM TREATMENT

Chemical treatment will be performed in the room by specialized personnel with authorized and properly equipped products, in case of hotels, it will also be performed in the adjacent rooms to the left and right, and in case of severe infestations, it will be inspected on the floor and first floor.

Sealing the room and signalling the treatment. The safety period is 12 hours from the time of application.

Repeat the treatment to eliminate the bed bugs that have not yet hatched and are in the egg stage, this will eliminate bed bugs in all their larval stages, for this you need to connect the heater to 25 ° C and wait for about 2 weeks to accelerate the process, or if there is no possibility of connection you need to wait 3 weeks to do the same.

STEP 3: REINTRODUCTION INTO THE ROOM.

After 12 hours of safety period from the 2nd treatment, the room can be occupied after an ocular inspection.

Vacuuming of the room using high power vacuum cleaners (HEPA filter recommended). It will always be done from the outside to the inside, vacuuming the last elements in direct contact with people. The vacuum bag should be sealed and disposed of afterwards.

In addition to the action that we can carry out the environmental health companies, the owners of the establishments can and should carry out preventive actions to detect early any possible outbreak of bed bugs, must be taken internally the actions necessary for the prevention and early detection of possible infestations, as examples:

Strict separation of dirty and clean clothes, this is elementary, as well as not sharing the same storage with blankets, mattresses, etc.

Monitoring of storage rooms or rooms where sofas, cots, mattresses, and suitcases are stored.

Renovate nesting materials such as upholstered headboards, rugs, etc. Seal and repair any cracks in light switches and baseboards.

Do not use laundry carts on different floors.

Use mattress and pillow covers, if possible "bed bug certified" that cover and close properly all the mattress, this will avoid possible bites to users, although this is obviously not the solution, it creates a barrier that traps bed bugs and eliminates their food, however, may not be eliminated for a few months, by the great survival without food that bed bugs can have.

Train relevant staff, cleaning staff, linen maids, waitresses, etc. to refine the search for signs, such as remnants of nymph skins, droppings, stains, and to be aware of risk areas such as seams, staples, seams, etc.

Watch for the possibility of pigeon nesting on balconies, ledges, or windows near the room in question. Not only can they introduce bed bugs, but also ticks and other mites.

For the treatment of bedbugs, alternative techniques to the use of chemicals have been developed, based for example on the application of high temperature steam (180ºC), the use of liquid nitrogen (-196ºC) and even exposure to CO2 modified atmospheres. Since the cost is higher, an economic study must be done beforehand to determine its viability.

There is no doubt that a bedbug infestation must be treated as a serious problem that is not easy to solve. Undertaking the steps correctly and thoroughly will contribute to the satisfactory outcome of the treatment.

Collaboration between all parties involved, public administrations, particularly affected sectors, universities, citizens, biocide service companies, is essential to undertake the overall bed bug protection strategy.