It has been proven that vapour steam cleaners are the best way to kill and control bed bugs
TREATMENT PROCEDURES
Bed bugs are very sensitive to heat and are rapidly killed when exposed to temperatures over 45°C. If heat is used for bed bug control it is important that the high temperatures are applied suddenly; a gradual rise in temperature will cause the bed bugs to disperse, thereby potentially spreading an infestation. Thus using heaters to heat up a room to a lethal point for bed bugs is inappropriate.
The most practical method of exploiting heat is through the use of steam. The great advantage is that it will kill all bed bug stages including the eggs (most insecticides are non-ovicidal).
A study from the United States (Meek 2003) has shown that using a combination of steam and insecticides provides better long term control than by using insecticides alone. As steam is composed only of heated water, some clients favour this treatment over chemicals, particularly for their mattress and bed.
In fact at least one company in the United States will only use steam for controlling bed bugs on mattresses due to fears of litigation in case a guest has an adverse reaction to the insecticides.
It is important to note that there any many different brands and types of steam machines on the market, however not all are appropriate, and like any tool, steam machines are only as effective as the operator, the skill and experience of the operator is the absolute key to successful ERADICATION.
To achieve anywhere near eradication, an intimate knowledge of the pest and its ecology are essential, inspections must be diligent and the treatment process must be meticulous. The instructions of the steam machine must be read thoroughly noting all safety instructions prior to use. As all steam machines take time to reach operating temperatures, this can be done while the inspection is in progress.
As the steam machines are operated with a high temperature and low vapour flow rate it is necessary and essential that the operator places the nozzle directly onto the surface being treated; the temperature drops away rapidly from the nozzle and a separation of only a few centimetres will not be lethal to the bugs. The nozzle should be moved along at a rate of only 30cm per every 10-15 seconds.
The steam treatment should start with the mattress and be applied to the seams, under labels and handles, and both inside and out of an ensemble base. It will be necessary to remove the material base of the ensemble which should be kept, and if required, re-stapled after the infestation has been eradicated.
Cushions of chairs and sofas should be treated next, paying particular attention to seams and buttons. Always check if the sofa is a sofa bed, and if so, treat the mattress as above. Carpet MUST also be treated with steam, along with every timber item in the room.
The Following Bodies Endorse Steam as an Effective Treatment For Bed Bugs
Public Health Bulletin |
A steam iron may also be used on the seams of mattresses or other items where there is stitching or folds in material. The use of high temperature low vapour steam on other areas of harbourage should also be considered. |
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Excerpt from a paper written on "Bed Bugs are Back"
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Use a steamer on mattresses to kill eggs missed by the vacuum cleaner. Spraying mattresses with insecticides isn't recommended. Steam cleaning carpets is also a good idea, but must be coordinated with pest control efforts so as not to interfere with the effectiveness of treatments.
Indirect measures can go a long way in controlling bed bugs: keep bats and birds away from houses; clean furnishings, launder bedding and mattress pads, and steam-clean mattresses; and prevent bed bugs from getting into homes by removing debris from around the house, repairing cracks in walls, and caulking windows and doors.
