Bed Bug Central TV Episode 8 – Steam Treatment for Bed Bugs. Jeff White demonstrates a commercial grade steamer, and discusses how steam can be a great tool in a bed bug management program
Steam Treatment for Bed Bugs
– October 16, 2008Posted in: All Episodes, Research and Development
I’ve hired a professional. He has treated the apartment twice in the last month. I slept in apt twice after treatment, and both times I’ve found one baby bed bug on the sheet. I know I still have them, but what should my steps be now? I’m only finding one at a time which are so small it will take me hours to follow? I’ve been taping them to show to the exterminator. Please reply I need help
Hi G
That sucks I am sorry. There are many forums I hope you have found one.
I had the USA’s standard pest control company professional treat many months ago. The contract was a 30 day guarantee. No good. Two months later started getting bites again. I got a steamer, went over all cracks and crevices, floors and siding, mattress and box spring, furniture, literally everything. It will definitely take at least an entire day with a steamer. Clean all clothes/bedding on hot wash and dry and keep away from floor and dresser until both are steamed. That will be an initial go around. You need to keep up with all of that weekly or close to it because if you are like me, they will be already into all sort of things and walls but mostly in the bedroom.
Buy a cover for your mattress and box spring that is rated for bed bugs and follow instructions to a T. After that, low pressure slow steam the outsides to not compromise the material and seal. DO NOT take that cover off to wash it, just seal them inside and let time do the work. May very well take over a year.
Keep floors clear of clutter. It is a lot of work and will take time and lifestyle adjustment, but you will sleep and not get bites and get through. If your infestation is too severe, or is from your building and not your own residence, contact a professional, the landlord, and the city’s department of public health. It is not necessarily your fault, but moving might not change things.
Check out online forums for help, this can be very emotionally hard on people so talk to trusted friends and family and keep spirits up. If you are sleeping somewhere else be very careful not spread them there, they can be sneaky these bugs. Keep the fight up and you will get through. Think of steam treatment as a process of elimination.
Good luck.
-E
The best thing that I could suggest regarding this matter is to change your old bed and buy a new one. Clean the whole household and don’t forget to spray some insecticides.
Hi Jeff,
Given your comment that a temperature of 120-130 F for a period of 20-30 mins has anyone tested using infrared treatment, such as heating a room to 130 F for 30 mins (or longer?) or using spot heating e.g. with a heat gun?
Also, have there been any studies on the relationship between temperature and bedbug/egg viability? In other words, as the temperature increases above 130 F do the bedbugs and eggs die off at a more rapid rate?
Thanks for doing these videos; they're very informative and helpful!
Brad