PestAway Pest Control Blog
Bedbug Control Methods
Where a well-established bedbug infestation is troublesome, it is likely that improvement in standards of hygiene will be a necessary backup to any chemical treatment. Where normally hygienic premises have become infested by the importation of bugs in second-hand furniture, from travellers or by some other means, with careful attention to cracks and crevices will give total eradication, which will last until any furniture importation.
An essential first step in the control of bedbugs in buildings is to determine the extent of infestation by careful inspection. All possible hiding places should be inspected, including furniture, wall linings, skirtings, architraves, curtain rods, light fitting, picture frames, picture railings, shelves, appliances and bedding, including the mattress. Every crack, crevice and fold must be inspected.
Specially trained dogs are being used to pinpoint bedbugs in hotels, long-distance tourist trains and so on. Dogs can inspect faster than technicians in some situations, especially in train carriages. A code of practice sets a standard for the use of dogs in pest detection (see http://www.pestdog.com.au)
It is essential that potential sources of reinfestation are not overlooked during treatment. For example, a child may be taken out in a pram or stroller while the room is being treated, but any bugs hiding in the joints, crevices, bedding or other parts of the stroller will, on its return to the room, “test” the residual effectiveness of the treatment or being a reinfestation.
Non-Chemical methods for prevention and control
Thoroughness in housekeeping is likely to make rooms less favourable for bedbug infestation. As well, a reduction in potential harbourage areas using caulking and gap fillers can help to make premises less suitable. Thorough inspection of second-hand furniture before it is brought into the house may avert potential infestation. This particularly applies to bedroom furniture such as wardrobes and beds, and especially mattresses.
Steaming is very effective in killing insects and eggs in mattresses and shallow crevices without damaging the fabric or leaving undesirable residues.
Chemical Control
The proper and effective application of insecticides to control bedbugs relies on prior inspection and knowledge of harbourage areas. Equipped with this knowledge, the operator can ensure contact of the insects with the insecticides. Careful application to cracks and crevices is usually necessary. Broadly, the methods of application involved may be surface spraying, space spraying and, where appropriate, dusting.
Where possible, particularly in conditions of poor hygiene, a clean-up prior to insecticide application can be most beneficial. Broadly, some types of insecticide formulations and methods of application are summarised below:
- Surface Spraying: The chemical mostly used for surface spraying are low-hazard residual types. Where possible, premises should be thoroughly cleaned before insecticide application.
- Space Spraying: In instances where the premises can be vacated for a period, the application of space sprays theoretically backs up surface-spray treatments. However, if all the hiding places have been treated, there should be no live insects left to succumb to a space-spray.
- Dusting: The use of dusts can help in bedbug control. Where treatment of harbourage areas cannot be carried out with wet sprays, light dusting can give reasonable residual control.
In summary, effective bedbug control relies on:
- Inspection/analysis to determine the extent of the problem
- Careful and thorough application of insecticides to every possible hiding place.
Click here for more details about bedbug control. If you are in need of a bedbug inspection or control, please contact PestAway Australia, or Call Free 1800 330 073.
Posted by PestAway Australia on 19th June, 2012 | Comments
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