Using Steam To Kill Bed Bugs
Dealing with bed bugs can be a tough task for a person concerned about critters striking in the middle of the night, but by using steam the job can get much easier.
The process of dealing with bed bugs includes several steps for making sure that bed bugs don’t cause an ongoing problem. One of the most important tools a person can use to eliminate bed bugs and protect themselves from bed bug problems in the future is to use steam on their mattresses and box spring as well as room cracks and crevices
Sprays are Part of the Solution
In the past, bed bugs were essentially eradicated from the United States due to the effectiveness of pesticides and other products like DDT. These chemicals had extremely high toxicity for insects of all kinds leading to record low bed bug infestations. In the 1970s, however, studies began to indicate that DDT actually caused significant health risks for wildlife leading to a ban on DDT usage in the United States.
Today, only certain sprays and powders can be used effectively to eliminate bed bugs. Contact sprays, residual sprays and powders are the classifications often used for bed bug jobs (included in our bed bug kits). Each spray is used for different situations including short-term solutions in contact sprays and longer-term fixes in residual sprays and powders.
These products, however, are only part of the solution. Fighting bed bugs takes more than simply applying different sprays to eliminate and infestations.
Steam Effectively Kills Bugs
Steam is extremely effective in killing bed bugs as no bugs are resistant to steam treatments. Over the years, different bed bugs have developed resistance to certain chemical solutions. This means the sprays that were effective on most bed bugs in the past are less effective today. Steamers, however, utilize a different approach allowing people to kill bed bugs with a 100% kill rate. The one drawback to steaming is that it can’t get into every deep crack in the walls or treat electrical outlets (uses water).
In addition to be vulnerable to the many sprays that are available, bed bugs are extremely vulnerable to high levels of heat. At 18 degrees F+, most bed bugs are killed instantly. That’s what makes bed bug steamers so effective. These steamers, which come with varying features for reaching different areas or working over larger affected areas, typically steam at 220 degrees + making them extremely effective in treating small or large surface areas.
Steamers are also effective for those looking for more of a green treatment solution. Whereas not all sprays are safe for use on mattresses, sofas, and similar furniture, steamers are effective on all types of materials.
When applying a steam treatment to mattresses or sofas, it’s important to work slowly and consistently. Moving slowly over the entire area ensures that bed bugs over the affected region will be exposed to a lethal dosage of steam.
So, when thinking about the best way to treat your residence for bed bugs, it’s important to add steam treatment to the sprays you select. Both are equally important working in conjunction to eradicate bed bug infestations.
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