Dealing with bed bugs can be extremely distressing and exhausting physically and psychologically. Fortunately, heat treatment is a highly effective method of eliminating these pests. Thermapro Solutions has been specializing in bed bug heat treatment in Montreal for several years. Let’s just say that bedbugs hold no secrets for me.
In this blog, I explore how heat treatment eliminates bed bugs, its benefits and effectiveness, some preparation steps, duration, costs, and so on. I also answer some of the concerns often mentioned by my customers.
Quick Links
- How Does Bed Bug Heat Treatment Work?
- What Are the Benefits of Heat Treatment?
- How Effective is Heat Treatment for Bed Bugs?
- How Do You Prepare for a Bed Bug Heat Treatment?
- How Long Does a Bed Bug Heat Treatment Take?
- How Much Does Bed Bug Heat Treatment Cost?
- Can Bed Bugs Survive Heat Treatment?
- Are Bed Bug Heat Treatments Safe for Homes and Condos?
- Are Bed Bug Heat Treatments Safe for Animals?
- Conclusion
How Does Bed Bug Heat Treatment Work?
Bed bug heat treatment involves raising the temperature of an infested area to a level that is lethal to bed bugs. This temperature is generally between 120°F (49°C) and 140°F (60°C) and must be maintained for several hours to ensure that all bed bugs, including eggs, nymphs and adults, are killed. Unlike chemicals, heat can penetrate into furniture, mattresses, walls, cracks and crevices to reach bed bugs and kill them where they are.
What Are the Benefits of Heat Treatment?
In my opinion, bed bug heat treatment offers several advantages everyone should know about. Here are just a few of them:
- Reaches Inaccessible Spots: Heat can penetrate areas that are hard to reach with chemical treatments. This ensures that all bed bugs are killed.
- Effective: Heat treatment is highly effective at killing bed bugs at all life stages, from eggs to nymphs to adults, in one single treatment. In my opinion, this is the key to a successful bed bug extermination treatment in the long term.
- Chemical-Free: Heat treatment doesn’t rely on pesticides, so it is considered safer for humans, pets, and the environment. It is also ideal for people with allergies and sensitivities to chemicals.
- Minimal Preparation Required: With this treatment, furniture and most personal belongings can stay in the rooms. The rest can leave with you or put aside during treatment.
- Same-day Reoccupation: Heat treatment leaves no residue. So, treated areas are left clean and sanitized for your safe return on the same day.
How Effective is Heat Treatment for Bed Bugs?
From experience, I can say that heat treatment is one of the most effective methods for eradicating bed bugs. High temperatures maintained in an infested area are lethal to bed bugs. In addition, it reaches and kills bed bugs wherever they may be hiding. This method is particularly helpful for severe infestations where bed bugs have spread to several areas of the home.
How Do You Prepare for a Bed Bug Heat Treatment?
Good preparation is crucial for a successful and safe bed bug heat treatment. At Thermapro Solutions, we make sure that no stone is left unturned. Here are a few preparation steps I recommend to my customers:
- Declutter: Remove unnecessary items and reduce clutter to ensure even heat distribution.
- Protect Heat-Sensitive Items: Remove items that could be damaged by high heat, such as candles, certain types of artwork, makeup, etc.
- Clear Access: Make sure all areas to be treated are accessible and free of obstructions.
- Detailed Preparation: Ensure good airflow, vacuum, and remove diatomaceous earth.
Before they return to their house or condo, I always make sure that my customers wash and tumble dry at high temperature the clothes they left with to kill any bed bugs that may be hiding in them.
You can learn more about our preparation recommendations by visiting our page about bed bug treatment preparation.
How Long Does a Bed Bug Heat Treatment Take?
The duration of a bedbug heat treatment can vary but is generally between 6 and 8 hours. The exact duration depends on the size of the infested area and the severity of the infestation. By maintaining the required temperature for several hours, we ensure that all bed bugs are eliminated.
How Much Does Bed Bug Heat Treatment Cost?
The cost of bedbug heat treatment varies according to the size and type of property. On average, prices range from $500 to $6,000, with treatment of severe infestations and large properties being more expensive than small bungalows. After inspection (Thermapro uses sniffing dogs to detect bed bugs), your bed bug exterminator should provide a detailed quote that includes all costs associated with effective bedbug heat treatment.
Keep in mind that even if a heat treatment is more expensive initially than a chemical treatment, its effectiveness and the fact that it doesn’t require multiple treatments makes it, in my opinion, more cost-effective in the long run.
Can Bed Bugs Survive Heat Treatment?
Bed bugs cannot survive heat treatment if the temperature is correctly maintained and applied in all rooms of your property. Any unheated area can be a lifeline for surviving bed bugs, which can spread and lead to further re-infestation. Note that it’s normal to see a few bedbugs crawling around during the day for up to three weeks after treatment. Displaced by the treatment, these bedbugs will eventually die off. If you still see live bedbugs three to six weeks after treatment, contact your bed bug exterminator immediately.
Fun fact: Did you know that bed bugs don’t really like kitchens? The hard surfaces and the fact that no humans live or sleep there mean they prefer bedrooms and living rooms close to their food source – you.
Are Bed Bug Heat Treatments Safe for Homes and Condos?
Yes, bedbug heat treatments are safe for homes and condos. The process uses controlled temperatures that are high enough to kill bed bugs but not high enough to damage most household items. A professional bed bug extermination company like Thermapro Solutions will explain the heat treatment process in detail and provide you with a preparation checklist to protect your household items.
Are Bed Bug Heat Treatments Safe for Animals?
Before treatment, I make sure my clients remove all pets from the house, including fish, birds and reptiles. Although the bed bug heat treatment itself contains no chemicals and is safe once completed, the high temperatures used during the process can be harmful to animals. We also recommend removing all plants and litter boxes from living areas. After treatment, your pets and plants can be safely returned, as there are no chemicals or persistent residues.
Conclusion
Based on my experience as a bed bug exterminator, I can confirm that heat treatment is a highly effective, safe, and eco-friendly method for eradicating bed bugs. It offers comprehensive elimination in a single treatment without the use of chemicals. If you’re dealing with a bed bug infestation, I invite you to consider heat treatment as a reliable solution to reclaim your home from these persistent pests.
As experienced bed bug exterminators in Montreal, Thermapro Solutions can help you get rid of your bed bug infestation. Contact us to learn more about our K9 detection and bed bug eradication by heat services.
