If you have found a bed bug in your home or office, the first reaction you’re likely to experience is panic. While finding a bed bug is not exactly a calamity; it still helps if you can be calm about it. Your next step would be to search for the most effective bed bug treatment options. You will also want to know which chemicals are used by professional exterminators to kill bed bugs fast. However, before you go and buy the strongest bed bug killer in the market, you need to be aware of bed bug pesticide side effects. So let us discuss all you need to know about the chemicals that effectively kill all the bed bugs and their eggs.
Bed bug extermination chemicals
If you decide to go ahead with a pest management company to treat your facility, make sure you ask them to give you a list of chemicals they plan to use for the treatment. A variety of low-toxicity products are available in the market-but you still need to make sure that these won’t affect pets, kids and elderly members in the vicinity. Pest exterminators directly spray these insecticides in hard to reach areas in order to get all the bugs and their larvae and eggs so it is very important to exercise caution. Here are common chemical options for bed bug professional treatment:
Insecticide sprays
These mainly include insect growth regulators which need to be sprayed in cracks on walls, ceilings, furniture items like bed headboards, box springs, electrical outlets, floor to wall junctions, closets, frames of artwork, upholstered materials etc.
Aerosols
Aerosols are sometimes even better in killing bed bug eggs compared to insecticide sprays. Your exterminators might use aerosols in drawers, drawer-slides, wooden furniture, some upholstered furniture etc.
Dust
Insecticidal dust consists of fine powder which when inhaled by the bed bugs rips their exoskeletons and pierces their lungs, killing them instantly. However, for dusts to be effective, the bugs need to actually walk on it. Also, dusts could harm human respiratory system as well. Therefore, many exterminators have mixed opinions about using these professional bed bug chemicals. Another disadvantage of using dusts is that they cannot be used in areas where they can be disturbed by wind draft. Another type of dust is dessicant dust like diatomaceous powder. This is much safer to use around kids and pets compared to insecticidal dust. Do speak to your pest management company about these options.
List of bed bug extermination chemicals to kill bed bugs fast
Following pesticides are approved by the EPA for killing bed bugs and their eggs:
- Boric acid
- Cyfluthrin
- D-phenothrin
- Permethrin
- D-trans allethrin
- Pyrethrin
- Prallethrin
- Tertamethrin
Side effects
Bed bug pesticides side effects could include watery eyes, breathing problems, headaches etc. Some chemicals could harm pregnant women and might lead to birth defects. Therefore, home owners and exterminators should always give preference to alternative bed bug treatments like steam cleaning, heat treatment and other natural/physical techniques to kill bed bugs.
Combined approach
Certain pesticides are only effective on adult bed bugs and not on eggs and nymphs. In such cases, exterminators might suggest an integrated pest management approach that involves both physical and chemical methods. The success rate of the combined approach is also higher.
Disposal of furniture
Many professional exterminators recommend discarding infested furniture items. However, in case of new or expensive items, you can speak to them about trying to save them. For example, in case of an infested bed, you may try to use mattress encasements to seal them and only throw out the bed frame, headboard and box springs if needed. If you decide to throw the items out, seek guidance from the pest management company as to how to seal and wrap the infested items. Many companies also help with furniture disposal. You must mark all infested items as “infected with bed bugs” to deter other people from picking them up. Do not replace the discarded units until the bed bug treatment is completed. Only once the treatment is complete, and you are sure your home is free from bugs, should you replace the lost items.
Post treatment analysis
A good exterminator company will come to evaluate the efficacy of the bed bug treatment in the days following the extermination. If there are any bed bugs seen during the visit, they may suggest another round of chemicals. This analysis also helps them get rid of eggs that may have hatched in the days after the spraying. Once they are assured that there are no bed bugs around, they will give you a service report about the type of chemicals used for the treatment along with other details. No company can guarantee 100% results since new bed bugs could be introduced in your apartment from adjacent infested units.
Conclusion
Professional bed bug chemicals can eliminate most bed bugs and their eggs. In some cases, especially large facilities, sniffing dogs may be needed to sniff out all the larvae and adults. An integrated pest management approach is the best way to treat bed bugs in homes, hotels and offices. For more details, please visit How to Kill Bed Bugs with Heat and How To Prepare your Home for Bed Bug Treatment.
