Removing bed bugs from a home is no walk in the park. Even after countless treatments, some home owners find they simply can’t get rid of these relentless pests. This can be accounted to a number of factors, but most notably it is the bedbugs’ growing resistance to pesticides that make them so difficult to kill. However, there is one treatment that has taken the pest control industry by storm due to its effectiveness and safety: heat treatment.

Unlike pesticides, heat treatment is much safer for the home and family, and bed bugs have not yet been able to develop resistance to its application. But despite its numerous benefits, many homeowners still have questions and concerns about its safety and application. In order to help you better understand the ins and outs of this revolutionary solution for bed bugs, following are some of the most common FAQs homeowners have about the heat treatment process.

What is Heat Treatment?

Heat treatment, officially known as Thermal Remediation, is one of the most effective solutions to treating bed bugs, as it does not require the application of pesticides. Through the use of specialized machines, pest control companies raise the internal temperature of a building to 45-55 degrees Celsius and maintain it for a few hours. This creates an extreme environment in which pests will either die or flee the area.

What Makes Heat Treatment Effective?

Bed bugs may be tough to kill, but one thing they cannot stand is extreme temperatures. Raising the internal temperature of a home forces the bed bugs to make a decision: leave the building or die trying. As bed bugs continue to evolve and grow resistant to chemical treatments, one thing they have not been able to do is beat the heat, and that’s what makes this treatment so effective compared to traditional pest control practices.

Is Heat Treatment Safe?

Unlike pesticides that can be harmful if improperly applied, heat treatment poses no risk to properties, humans, or the environment during or after the treatment process. Thermal Remediation is performed using specialized machines that are monitored by experienced pest control professionals to ensure its safety. Once administered, the heat will not destroy or compromise any items within your home, and you can safely enter the building as soon as the treatment has concluded. In fact, Thermal Remediation is so safe that there is very little preparation needed before the treatment process, so you can be rest assured that your belongings will be unharmed.

Can I Perform Heat Treatment Myself?

Simply turning the heat up on your thermostat won’t thwart these pests. Special equipment and extremely high temperatures are required for Thermal Remediation to be effective. The safest way to utilize heat treatment for bed bugs is to contact a pest control professional who offers this service and has experience in its application.

Is Heat Treatment Expensive?

Depending on the severity and localization of your bedbug problem, the cost of Thermal Remediation treatment will vary. In order to obtain an accurate pricing estimate for your unique situation, contact Greenleaf Pest Control. Although heat treatment may be more expensive than traditional home remedies, it is far more effective, usually from the first application. Pesticides used to kill bed bugs may take up to three applications to be successful, and they usually need to be administered in combination with other treatments.

How Can I Schedule a Heat Treatment?

If you are interested in scheduling a heat treatment for your home, contact Greenleaf Pest Control for more information. After a thorough inspection of your home to identify the location and severity of your infestation, our team will present the best bed bug control solutions. If heat treatment is the most effective and cost-sensitive answer to your unique bed bug problem, we will discuss the option and make sure you are informed on what to expect.

About the Author:

Daniel Mackie, co-owner of Greenleaf Pest Control, is a Toronto pest control expert well-known as an industry go-to guy, an innovator of safe, effective pest control solutions, and is a regular guest on HGTV. Mackie, along with business partner Sandy Costa, were the first pest control professionals in Canada to use detection dogs and thermal remediation for the successful eradication of bed bugs. In his free time, he is an avid gardener.