One of the well known methods of killing bed bugs is the bed bug freeze treatment. Bed bugs cannot withstand extreme temperatures, both high and low. The freezing bed bugs treatment method is a great alternative to bed bug sprays and repellents. It is a safe and non toxic method that can be used effectively on furnishings, electronics, and artwork as well as modern books and clothes to kill the bed bugs as well as their eggs. Another advantage of the bed bug freeze treatment is that the treated rooms can be used immediately following the treatment.
Bed bug heat treatment versus the freezing bed bugs treatment
The bed bug heat treatment is one way of eliminating bed bugs without the use of sprays and pesticides. However, it involves raising the room temperatures to nearly 140F for up to two hours to be effective. These “fire-like” conditions do not make it a safe treatment for pets, plants and even certain electronic goods. Moreover, the risk of house fires and blazes has rendered this method nearly ineffective. This is where the bed bug freeze treatment offers convenience to homeowners who are dealing with terrible bed bug infestations without compromising their health and safety. The ‘freezing bed bugs’ treatment is ideal for use on books, certain electronics, furnishings etc and the rooms can be used immediately thereafter. There is no residue or bad smell left behind and nor is there any exhausting process of relocating the furniture and other heavy objects.
The freezing bed bugs treatment is of two types: Cold freezer and Frozen CO2 or dry ice treatment. In either case, the temperatures need to be of the order of -17C for the treatment to be effective. The lower the temperature, the better the bed bug freeze treatment works for killing the bugs faster. Most home freezers can be used for treating infested dry household items including:
- Shoes
- Modern Books
- Items that one cannot wash or launder
- Toys
- Pictures
- Items made from cloth
Naturally, you should not attempt to freeze certain items like electronics with LCD panels or historical artifacts, painting consisting of lacquer or ivory objects etc that cannot be replaced. Similarly, you must avoid the freeze treatment for items that can get easily damaged in event of condensation. You should also ensure protecting the items you are going to freeze with good quality freezer bags (or plastic bags), towels and other absorbent sheets to prevent condensation.
How the freezing bed bugs treatment works?
The freezing bed bugs treatment works by forming ice inside the bed bugs and freezing their insides. The items must be frozen for at least 4 days to 2 weeks for effectively killing the bugs. Bulkier items need longer time for the treatment to be effective. During this period, one must not defrost their freezer, since even temperatures of 5 F (or -15 deg C) are enough for the eggs to survive.
CO2 Freezing bed bugs treatment
The CO2 or dry ice freezing treatment is another method of bed bug freeze treatment that gets rid of eggs, larvae as well as adult bed bugs. This treatment is available at professional pest control agencies that can help get rid of all the bugs in cracks and crevices of bedrooms, living rooms and entire houses. This powerful bed bug freeze treatment is safe and non toxic as it does not leave behind any residue and is especially safe to be used around pets and children. Moreover, the building can be reoccupied immediately following the CO2 or dry ice freezing bed bug treatment.
The CO2/dry ice treatment has been effectively used for treating infestations in schools, daycares, hospitals, airplanes and even hotels, offices and data centers.
