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What you should know about treating for bedbugs

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By Katie Wedell, Staff Writer Updated 11:37 AM Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Bedbugs. The word is on everyone’s lips, and the pests themselves are popping up in homes across the country.

Although they are one of the most difficult bugs to get rid of because of their ability to hide, travel and live without food for up to a year, there is hope.

“It’s not an easy fix,” said Megan Crawford, administrative director of A-1 Able Pest Doctors. “Just because you have financial constraints doesn’t mean you can’t get rid of them, but you have to put in the leg work.”

Whether you choose to do it yourself or call in a professional, eradicating bedbugs starts with identifying the problem.

Here are some tips from the Central Ohio Bed Bug Task Force:

What to look for

Adult bedbugs are small, but visible to the naked eye. They are reddish brown oval in shape with a flattened body when unfed. Their body becomes swollen after they have fed.
The most obvious signs of bedbugs are small black spots (feces) deposited in and near bedbug hiding places.
Bedbugs’ most common hiding spots are in the cracks and crevices of mattresses and box springs, but they can also hide in furniture, baseboards, electrical outlets or any other small space or fabric surface near humans.
Bedbug bites can cause itchy red welts on skin, often with two or more bites in a row. Bedbug bites resemble bites by other insects, so this is not a definite way to identify them.
Many pest management companies will do a free inspection to determine that you are actually dealing with bedbugs.

What you can do if you do have bedbugs

If you decide to treat your home for bedbugs yourself, you’ll still need to prepare your home by removing all personal items and placing them in plastic bags. All clothing will need to be heat treated in the dryer for 35-45 minutes.
There are many products available for “do it yourself” bedbug extermination. Crawford said her company and others sell complete bedbug kits that provide all the chemicals you’ll need, plus detailed instructions on where and how to apply them.
Read the label on all pesticides and follow them strictly.
Be sure to use products labeled for indoor use and apply only to areas listed on the label.
Bug bombs are not effective and may scatter bedbugs to other rooms or neighboring apartments.
Repellents such as DEET do not work against bedbugs.
Don’t assume that more is better.
Give the chemicals time to work. You’ll need to do multiple treatments to completely eliminate all the bugs, so be patient.

Once you’ve decided to hire a pest management professional to take care of the problem, it’s important to make sure you’re hiring someone reputable. Crawford said beware if it seems to good to be true.

“If they’re not making you pack up all your stuff that should be a red flag,” she said.

What to do when hiring a professional

Call at least three different companies for estimates, so you know you’re getting the best deal.
Ask how much the treatments will cost. Some companies charge an inspection fee, but others do not. The cost of the first treatment and follow-up treatments may vary, but are likely to be in the $200 to $500 range.
Never use an unlicensed applicator. Pest maintenance professionals must carry a valid pesticide applicators license from the Ohio Department of Agriculture. You can check the status of their license by calling (800) 282-1955, ext. 31, or you can find them online at: www.agri.ohio.gov/pesticides/
Once you’ve chosen a company, follow all preparation instructions closely. If you cheat and don’t properly treat clothing or remove personal items, you may pay for expensive treatment for nothing.

How to prevent bedbugs

When travelling, check hotel rooms for bugs by inspecting the mattress and furniture.
Use a luggage spray, such as JT Eaton Bedbug Control for Luggage and Mattresses, to prevent your bags from bringing bedbugs home. It’s also a good idea to inspect and vacuum your luggage when arriving home from a trip and heat treat all clothing in the dryer before putting it away.
Inspect for bedbugs when buying used furniture or shopping at thrift stores.

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