The conventional approaches for killing bed bugs usually consist of harmful pesticides and chemicals. However, these methods come with their fair share of harmful consequences. Breathing the toxic fumes of these chemical infused pesticides can be toxic to humans and pets. Elderly people and infants are even more susceptible to their toxic fumes.
Thanks to modern appliances like the bed bug steamer, all these hassles can be prevented. The bed bug steamer is a surefire way of getting rid of bed bugs; it can also be made a part of your integrated pest management program. Furthermore, the bed bug steamer has several functional advantages discussed below.
Majority of bed bug infestations occur in apartments, condominiums and even single family town homes. Nearly 1 in 5 American families have had to deal with this situation, or at least know of someone who has encountered these parasites in hotels and other residential areas. It is a fact that bed bug infestation can be picked up anywhere and that it has nothing to do with cleanliness. One can inadvertently pick up these bugs even from the most prestigious hotels, or the bugs can themselves hitchhike into our homes.
Why use harmful traditional bed bug repellents?
The traditional methods of bed bug extermination and prevention include spraying the homes with harmful pesticides. Scientific research has now concluded that many of these chemicals are linked to birth defects, nerve damage, infertility and stillbirth. Several of these products are banned by the FDA owing to the presence of carcinogens in them.
Benefits of the bed bug steamer
The bed bug steamer is a chemical free method of getting rid of these pests. It also has other functional advantages, in that; it can get rid of dust mites and other allergens in the sleeping areas. The bed bug steamer operates at high temperatures which the bugs are unable to withstand. These temperatures reach up to 250F and, at this point, the bed bugs as well as their eggs are completely destroyed. Moreover, the steamer completely cleans the infested areas by effectively attacking the hard-to-reach places where bugs are likely to hide. Good quality bed bug steamers are designed to produce only dry vapor so that the bugs are killed quickly and safely. The high temperature of over 200F enables the bed bug steamer to reach all the unseen deep areas of mattresses and sofas thereby killing the bugs and their eggs. This way, there is no ‘contact killing’ and further infestations are prevented.
Steps for using the bed bug steamer
- Read the instruction manual that comes with the steamer. Use only accessories recommended for the job.
- Always vacuum the areas affected prior to using the steamer.
- The steamer produces very high heat; hence caution must be exercised at all times.
- Excess water may accumulate while steaming. So make sure to keep an absorbent cloth/towel on hand to mop it up.
- The bed bug steamer can be used on all upholstery, curtains, beds, mattresses, sofas etc. Always start from top of the room (the drapes and curtains) and work your way down to the floorboards.
- DO NOT steam the electrical outlets.
- Ensure treating each infested area for significant amount of time, moving at the rate of 1 inch per second.
- Let the mattresses dry before using them.
- Keep an eye out for recurrence of bed bugs and, if needed, re-treat the areas with the bed bug steamer.
- You can even follow up the procedure by using bed bug powders containing diatomaceous earth or organic bed bug sprays.
EPA approved bed bug steamer might just be the answer to your bed bug infestation and can certainly be used alongside FDA approved organic bed bug repellents to banish these annoying parasites for good.
