BED BUG FACTS

HOW TO GET RID OF BED BUGS

The ProTec Thermal Approach

We are Bed Bug Removal Specialists. ProTec Thermal utilizes state of the art Heat Treatment technology for One Visit – One Day Elimination of all Bed Bugs and we provide a Guarantee of our work. Our service is designed to provide you with peace of mind, knowing you can return the same day to a Bed Bug free home.

Please call us at 306-270-5202 or complete the form at the bottom of the page. We start with a thorough, no-charge inspection and a written estimate for service. We are professional and discreet, using only unmarked vehicles and equipment. Knowledgeable and responsive, we are the premier Bed Bug Exterminator in Saskatoon and area.

For more information on the process and benefits of Heat Treatment, see ‘Our Services’ page.

BED BUG TREATMENT OPTIONS

Do it Yourself - or Not

While it is possible to treat an infestation yourself it is important to understand that Bed Bugs are hardy insects and notoriously difficult to get rid of. Any home treatment will likely take several weeks and you will be living with these pests the entire time. Understanding Bed Bug biology and behavior is crucial to successful eradication. Domestic use sprays and dusts are not as effective as professional grade and if improperly applied can sometimes make the problem worse. The following can help but if you are not making progress, we highly recommend you consider hiring a professional.

Thoroughly vacuum carpets, baseboards, bed frame, mattress, box spring and furniture. This will need to be repeated frequently. Ensure contents of the bag are disposed of immediately as Bed Bugs have been known to escape a vacuum bag.
Launder all bedding, clothing and fabrics by washing in hot water and running through a dryer on high heat for minimum 30 minutes. Do not overfill the dryer. Do not return clothing to infested rooms until eradication is complete. Keep sealed in a tied garbage bag.
Steam treat bed frame, mattress and box spring and install encasements. Install interceptor traps under the legs of bed and furniture where you sleep or leisure and monitor for activity every few days.
Use a light sprinkling of Diatomaceous Earth around baseboards, bed frame and cracks and crevices in infested rooms. You may also use a domestic insecticide spray but ensure that it is labelled for Bed Bugs and that you read the label carefully for application and safety procedures.
Inspect and monitor for diminishing activity. If you are not making progress, professional help may be required.

Professional Treatment

Pesticide Application – Chemical treatments will work but require a significant amount of prep for the homeowner and they will stretch out over a 2-6 week period. The reason is that pesticide is a contact poison and the technician will be unable to apply it to eggs and any live bugs that are harbored deep in cracks and crevices. The Bed Bug must be drawn out of harborage seeking a blood meal from a live host (you must continue to sleep in your bed) in order to pick up the pesticide. Most pesticide residual activity will begin degrading after 2 weeks, so for the eggs, you must wait until they hatch in 7-10 days and then have a second treatment which also requires laundering all bedding, fabrics and clothes once again. Pesticide resistance is becoming an increasing problem which can often make chemical treatments stretch into 3 or 4 (two weeks apart) until eradication is successful. Another downside is that toxic pesticides are applied throughout your residence, including sofas, chairs and beds where it is possible to come into contact with the residue. If you have small children or pets, this should be a consideration.

Professional Bed Bug Heat Treatment – Utilizing specialized equipment that raises the room temperature to a minimum 122 degrees F is a proven and efficient method of eradication. Bed Bugs are very sensitive to temperature and will die within seconds of exposure to these temperatures. By combining forced air convection, the technician can drive heat into the cracks and crevices that may harbor eggs and adults to ensure a 100% kill in only one treatment. Prep is minimal as the process allows the room to heat soak so clothes and other fabrics can stay in place. As well, temperature is controlled and monitored so it is 100% safe for your furniture and belongings and you get the added benefit of coming home the same day to a bed bug free home.

At ProTec Thermal we care about our customer’s peace of mind. The best eradication method is a one visit – one day heat treatment combined with a small amount of pesticide residual for complete success. To ensure satisfaction we will also leave interceptor traps in order to monitor for our success over the next 30 days. We guarantee eradication (certain conditions may apply) and will work hard to ensure you get a good night’s sleep.

Identification & Biology

Physiology

Bed bugs are small; adults generally are only about 3/16” in length and some early stages or in-stars, are nearly invisible.
Male bed bug abdomens are slightly pointed and female bed bug abdomens are more rounded

Feeding

Bed bugs feed only on blood
Bed bugs prefer human blood but will feed on pets if necessary
Both males and females feed on blood; each stage of the life cycle requires a blood meal which is every 5-7 days
Adult Bed bugs can live up to a year without a blood meal

Reproduction

Female bed bugs can lay up to 500 eggs in her lifetime
Bed bug eggs are very small, approximately 1/32” and when deposited, the eggs are attached to hidden surfaces with a sticky substance secreted by the female

Bed Bug Bites

Some people react to bed bug bites and others have little to no reaction
The time it takes for bite symptoms to manifest varies from person to person with some people taking up to two weeks to show signs. It is estimated that 25-30% of the population show no signs of a bed bug bite.
Bed bugs do not spread disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; however, they can harbor nearly 30 human pathogens

SIGNS OF A BED BUG INFESTATION

1. An actual Bed Bug sighting.
2. Blood feces resembling ink spots on your mattress, box spring or baseboard near the bed.
3. The cast skins (molting) of the Bed Bug.
4. Red bite marks or welts on your arms or upper torso. (25-30% of people do not react to bed bug bites)
5. Blood smears on your sheets.

WHERE TO LOOK

Bed bugs are hardy insects and difficult to detect prior to feeding. Due to extremely flat bodies, they are able to hide in the cracks and crevices of mattresses (buttons and beading), box springs, hollow areas of bed frames, furniture coverings, other types of furniture, and in wall crevices and voids in heavier infestations. Simply put, bed bugs will hide anywhere they’re provided darkness, isolation, and protection.

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Office Hours

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