Why DIY Bed Bug Treatments Don’t Work
Bed bugs have been around for thousands of years. Over time have gained some significant myths on many parts, including how to treat and get rid of bed bugs.
Many people are more than happy to hire a pest professional to tackle a bed bug problem but there are other reasons why for many people that isn’t their first option. Financial reasons, not knowing the pest you are trying to treat and of course there are DIYer’s that prefer to take on home projects, including pest work.
Let’s talk about store bought products that a DIYer might use. Store bought pest products sound like an awesome idea but just because they look nice and come from a big box store does not make equal to professional products. This is especially true when it comes to bed bugs. Bed bugs are at the top of the list of one of the toughest pests to treat. Pest professionals go through extensive training and are required by state to have a professional license to even use the commercial products. Now, store bought products may kill a live bed bug with direct contact but that won’t eliminate the problem. If you’re going to use a spray product and for it to work effectively, it needs to have a residual. Meaning even after it dries, it will still be working when a bed bug comes in contact with it.
Another thing to consider is Eggs. There is no known product the will kill bed bug eggs, that is why follow up treatments are suggested, so you can eliminate the newly hatch bed bugs. Many pest professionals are using Thermal Heat Treatments, which will in fact kill bed bug eggs.
Now let’s talk about household products that have been surfacing to treat bed bugs. Products such as baby powder, vinegar, bleach, hairspray, essential oils etc. These types of products were not created to eliminate bed bugs, and like stated above, a select few of them may kill on contact, but that will not rid your home of them. Not using the correct treatment product may also result in a scatter result, the product doesn’t kill the bed bugs but may disrupt their hiding spots causing some of them to move to different areas of your home. This will increase the time and cost needed for a pest professional to treat your home properly.
Trying to mix a concoction of diy bed bug treatment can be dangerous to your health and your pet’s health. If the wrong products are mixed or they are not properly applied there is a high risk of your family becoming ill, burns, respiratory issues and even death. Sadly, it has happened before, on more than one occasion. Someone attempted to treat bed bugs with “home remedies” and it was fatal.
Diy bed bug treatments and “home remedies” can end up costing you more money in the long run and extending your bed bug issue, giving the infestation time to grow.
If you think you have bed bugs, call G&H Bed Bug for professional bed bug expert support. (208)471-8787