Bed Bug Extermination in Savannah

While bed bugs are not known to transmit diseases, their bites can cause itching, allergic reactions, and in some cases, secondary infections due to scratching. They can also cause sleep disturbances and psychological stress due to anxiety about the infestation -- but they are not dangerous per se.

While there are over-the-counter products available, DIY treatments are often ineffective and may lead to further infestation or resistance to treatments. Professional pest control services are more effective because they use specialized equipment and proven techniques to target bed bugs at all stages of their life cycle.

To prevent future infestations:

• Inspect secondhand furniture and clothing carefully before bringing them into your home.
• Check hotel rooms for signs of bed bugs, such as blood stains or dark spots, before unpacking.
• Encase mattresses and box springs with bed bug-proof covers.
• Regularly clean and vacuum areas where bed bugs could hide, especially around beds and furniture.

Bed bugs are excellent hitchhikers and can be brought into your home through luggage, secondhand furniture, clothing, or other items. They are commonly found in places with high foot traffic, such as hotels, dorms, and public transportation.

Heat treatments involve raising the temperature in the affected area to a level that kills bed bugs at all stages of life. This process is chemical-free and environmentally friendly. Here's how it works:

• Temperature: Professional-grade equipment is used to heat rooms or specific areas of your home to 118°F (48°C) or higher. Bed bugs, including their eggs, die when exposed to these temperatures for an extended period.
• Uniform Heat: Heat treatment is effective because it reaches all parts of the infested area, including cracks, walls, and furniture, which may be difficult to reach with chemicals.
• Duration: The room or home is typically heated for about 6-8 hours, ensuring that the temperature remains high enough to eliminate all bed bugs.

Chemical treatments use pesticides specifically designed to target and kill bed bugs at all stages of their life cycle (eggs, nymphs, and adults). These treatments are usually applied by a professional pest control technician to areas where bed bugs are likely to hide, such as cracks, crevices, mattresses, and furniture. Here's how it works:

• Application: The technician applies a variety of bed bug-specific pesticides, which may come in the form of sprays, dust, or liquid treatments. The chemicals target bed bugs when they come into contact with treated areas.
• Action: The chemicals affect the nervous system of the bed bugs, causing paralysis and death. Some pesticides also prevent bed bugs from molting, leading to their demise.
• Egg Treatment: Some chemicals are designed to penetrate cracks and crevices to kill eggs, while others may require follow-up treatments to ensure eggs are eliminated.
• Follow-up: Chemical treatments often require multiple applications to address any missed bugs and newly hatched eggs, usually spaced a week or two apart.

Treatment can take anywhere from a few hours to a full day, depending on the size of the infestation and the treatment method used. Heat treatments, in particular, can require the home to be vacated for several hours while the temperature is raised to eliminate bed bugs.

Heat treatments are an effective and eco-friendly method for eliminating bed bugs, and they offer several benefits over traditional chemical treatments. Here’s why heat treatment can be a great choice for bed bug eradication:

• Comprehensive: Heat can penetrate deep into furniture, walls, and floors, making it effective for treating areas that might be missed by chemical treatments.
• No chemicals: Ideal for those who want to avoid chemical exposure or have sensitivities to chemicals.
• Single treatment: Often requires only one treatment, and it’s usually effective in eradicating the entire infestation, including eggs.