Affected areas should be completely treated with recommended pesticides or other treatments that are specifically against bed bugs. The bug killers used for exterminating termites or other insects will not be effective with bedbugs.
What measure should be taken to keep bed bugs under control in Vancouver area?
A bed bug infestation is hard to deal with. Treatment, removal, and prevention is not a simple task. While there are many resources on the internet on how to deal with it yourself, the advise varies and it can get confusing – so it is much better to find a licensed professional pest control operator.
Control measures involve tasks by both the resident (or landlord) and the exterminator.
Vacuum bedding and rugs thoroughly, and once done replace, remove, and totally discard the vacuum bag. If the infestation is very serious, consider discarding the infected mattresses.
Separate lodging/ bedding has to be arranged until the problem is resolved.
The best method to prevent re-occurrence of these bed bugs is to wash and dry all drapes and beddings at a temperature of 120F.
Sprinkle diatomaceous or spray Pure Clean, Sleep Tight and Bug Patrol on the infected place as it could control further spread of the bugs.
The following are excerpts from the Govt. of Canada website on bed bugs.
“If you are a tenant and have bedbugs, you should tell your landlord right away. Tenants who have bedbug-related issues should speak with a public health officer for help in dealing with the infestation.”
If you live in a multiple-unit dwelling and building management has asked you to prepare your unit for bedbug treatment, this usually includes emptying storage furniture to make it easier to inspect, organizing your belongings and placing them in bags, washing all your clothes and bedding, and moving furniture away from the walls. The pest control operator will usually give you specific instructions to prepare for an inspection or treatment.
Professional pest control operators can use a variety of tools to control bedbugs. These include liquid insecticide sprays, aerosol insecticide sprays, insecticidal dusts, diatomaceous earth, pressurized carbon dioxide snow, and steam and heat treatments.
Whichever treatment is used, it will only be effective if 1) physical control methods and 2) preventative measures are used together.
Physical Control Methods
Physical methods of controlling bedbugs include steam cleaning, vacuuming, heating, freezing, washing, and throwing out items. Steam cleaning should be done before vacuuming, as the steam will flush any bedbugs not killed out of hiding. Heat treatments should be left to the professionals.
(See their site for more details on Steaming, washing, and vacuuming).
The use of pesticides and pest control products:
To see if a pesticide has been registered for use in Canada, check the label for a Pest Control Products (PCP) registration number. If the product label does not have a PCP registration number, do not buy or use it. Health Canada warns of using unregistered pesticides for bed bugs as there have been poison deaths reported of infants.
Do bed bugs transmit diseases?
Over 28 disease pathogens have been found in bed bugs. But unlike mosquitoes, flies and beetles they don’t have active carrier cells for transmitting any of these pathogens to humans. Because of these facts, we know the infestation of bed bugs are neither harmful nor dangerous – other than bites and possible allergic reactions to the bites. But it is definite that bed bugs do not transmit any diseases.
How do I keep bed bugs out of my home?
Bed bugs are typical migrants. They keep spreading through rugs, mattresses, sheets and bedding usually when returning home after having a long stay in any outside places. When you travel, make sure to inspect the hotel /room as you arrive- lift off the beddings, mattresses and check for the signs of bed bug presence. Consider changing rooms/ hotels if presence is felt. Don’t take home discarded bed frames, mattresses or box springs. Wash clothing and thoroughly vacuum luggage immediately after trips. Inspect and clean all the belongings before bringing it into your home.
Preventing bed bugs from spreading
Beddings need to be cleaned, dried and inspected regularly. Bed bugs cannot show tolerance to heat, so it is recommended to dry on a high heat. Keep bedding from touching the floor or wall. Mattresses, furniture, old books and box springs need to be covered with Vinyl covers as this could prevent the invasion of bugs in your home. Vacuum carpet, fabric drapes and furniture once or twice in a week. Seal cracks, holes and crevices along base boards and areas where pipes run through wall.
Most in Metro Vancouver who try controlling bed bugs themselves don’t succeed in total eradication, so it’s better to call a professional bed bug exterminator in Vancouver, Surrey, Delta, White Rock, or Langley – who has had 100% success rate in bed bug removal.
Other resources:
Vancouver Coastal Health has a downloadable guide on bed bug control in several languages.
More Tips from the Govt. of Alberta.
How do you know if you have bed bugs?
How Much Does Bed Bug Extermination Cost?