Why is it So Hard to Kill Bed Bugs?
WouterBedbugs are a very difficult pest to eliminate. They are hardy, lentil-sized insects that hide in a variety of places. Most commonly, they live under floorboards, loose wallpaper, and electrical switch plates. They multiply quickly and have high reproductive rates. Once the population reaches a certain number, it’s impossible to get rid of the pest by yourself. The problem is compounded by the fact that they have adapted to their surroundings and have evolved to survive. As a result, a pesticide you use to get rid of bed bugs may no longer work ten years later.
Bed bugs need only one meal a week to survive. After that, they spend a significant amount of time in hiding and digesting the food they’ve ingested. This means that it’s nearly impossible to find every bug, and you’ll have to take precautions to prevent them from coming back.
Fortunately, there are a variety of different pesticides that can kill these pesky bugs. Most of these products contain pyrethrins or pyrroles, which are low-toxicity and fast-acting. However, some of them have been shown to be resistant to them, which is why it’s important to seek professional help. A pest control professional can help you decide on which treatments are most appropriate for your home.
Washing your clothes and bedding isn’t a guaranteed way to kill bed bugs, so you should dry them on the highest setting that is allowed by the manufacturer. You should then store them in plastic bags. You can also put mattress pads and fabric window coverings in plastic bags and seal them. But these solutions are only effective against live bugs. Eggs left in these items can still hatch and result in a secondary infestation.
