Pesticide vs. Heat – Which Is Better to Get Rid of Phoenix Bed Bugs?

When it comes to eliminating bed bug in Phoenix, there are plenty of DIY suggestions on the Internet. Some work, some don’t, and when you’re going it alone, you’re leaving it to chance.

One of the biggest challenges that people can have is whether to use pesticide or heat.

At Budget Brothers Termite & Pest Elimination, our technicians use heat treatment because it is safe for your family and effective in destroying bed bugs.

The Pesticide Approach for Phoenix Bed Bugs

Pesticides, whether chemical or organic, are a commonly used method for removing bugs from your home. A professional will come in and take one of two approaches: targeted spraying or a bomb.

Targeted spraying can work if the technician is applying the spray everywhere. Bed bugs are great hiders, so they find places to go that you might not even consider. They could be in side tables, dressers, and window draperies.

A bomb is the worst pesticide approach in that it coats the room or home with pesticides. It sends the poison up and out; it falls down over the affected area but fails to get in deep where the bed bugs are hiding. Meaning you’ve just covered your house in poison without getting rid of the problem.

There is a lot of preparation work needed prior to pesticide use for bed bugs. All fabric items must be washed in hot water, dried on high heat, and stored in sealed plastic bags.

You have to box up all kitchen and bathroom cabinets and either move it in the middle of the room or outside. On top of all that work you must also remove all clutter. Bed bugs love clutter, so they’ll find convenient hiding spots there.

You’re dealing with dangerous chemicals, risking family members and pets. In fact, everyone will need to leave the residence for 2–4 hours following treatment.

After the treatment is done and you start moving everything back; remember, you have to repeat the process in two weeks. The second bomb kills any eggs that may have hatched since the first treatment.

The Heat Approach for Phoenix Bed Bugs

Did you know that there is a safer and healthier option to pesticides and bombs?

Using special equipment, a technician will heat either a room or the entire home to 120ºF for a set period of time. This intense heat kills all bed bugs: adults, eggs, and nymphs. It takes about 15 minutes to kill adults and nymphs and 60 minutes to kill eggs

Bed bugs cannot live in hot temperatures. A DIY remedy suggests bagging up infested fabric items and putting them in your car or outside during the Phoenix summer but it’s rarely effective.

They hate the heat! This is why if you believe you have a problem you should wash everything in hot water and dry on high heat.

But your home can’t fit in the dryer.

While cleaning the home and fabrics is suggested, furniture, beds, and mattresses can be salvaged by using a heat treatment. You’ll be back to normal in hours instead of weeks.

To really rid yourself of bed bugs combine heat and pesticide approaches so you can be doubly sure to eliminate all of the bugs.

If You Have Bed Bugs

If you’re showing any signs of bed bug infestation, it’s time to call us.

One of the expert bed bug removal technicians at Budget Brothers Termite & Pest Elimination will inspect your home and begin treatment immediately.

If we find a problem, then we’ll schedule a heat treatment to safely and effectively remove the bed bugs from your home.