Diyers & Dimwitted Pest Control Operators
Well meaning but clueless DIYers, confident in their cost cutting skills by cutting a few corners, are using lawn pesticides on their beds instead. Hate to break it to them, but that penny-pinching move is probably not going to have the effect they were hoping for.
Not all cases of screw-ups were the fault of hapless homeowners, but of dimwitted and/or unscrupulous licensed and unlicensed pest control applicators that illegally sprayed outdoor pesticides indoors to control bed bugs. In some cases, these pesticides were found at levels that could have harmed peoples health.
We Have Bed Bugs Will Treating Them Hurt My Pet
I spoke to the professionals at Corkys Pest Control, who have lots of experience in safely eradicating bed bugs in family homes. There are many options available, depending on the severity of the infestation and the needs of the owners, from heat treatments to fumigations to chemical applications. The suggested course of treatment can vary from household to household and from company to company.
For households with dogs and cats, Corkys most commonly uses a chemical application to affected areas, which necessitates about 4-6 hours of keeping the pet away from the house. A severe case requiring fumigation would require the entire family to be out of the home for three days. They also stressed that certain pets, such as birds and reptiles, can have different sensitivities to environmental pesticides, so its vital to ensure the treatment you select is safe for your specific menagerie.
If you are dealing with bed bugs, take a deep breath youre not alone. With a little elbow grease, you can return your house to being in a bed bug-free state.
Treating Bed Bug Bites On Cats
The excessive scratching that can result from bed bug bites on cats may cause your cat to create some wounds and bleeding on their skin. This is not the worst thing in the world, but you would be well advised to keep these areas clean in order to avoid them becoming infected. A pet-safe bed bug treatment is also ideal, such as this one .
While the transmission of diseases is not a central issue when it comes to these pests, it is possible for your cat to have an allergic reaction to being bitten by them. A paper published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology showed that cats can have an antibody response to bed bugs similar to the way humans develop asthma. Symptoms of allergic reactions include pink skin, swelling, and a runny nose. If your cat develops an allergic reaction, the best thing to do is visit a veterinary physician. They will be able to identify the proper treatment whether it be a topical solution or medicine.
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How Do You Get Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are hardy hitchhikers. Many unsuspecting travelers pick one up on the road and bring it home in their luggage, unwittingly setting up an infestation. A fed female bed bug can lay between 2-5 eggs a day, meaning one single bug in your roller-bag, gym bag, or even in your pants cuff, can lead to an infestation at home. Once an infestation is established, their propensity to hide in nooks and crannies can make them very difficult to eradicate.
According to the 2015 Bugs Without Borders Survey, the top three places where bed bugs are found are apartments, single family homes, and hotels/motels, though they are also found in dorms, nursing homes, modes of public transport, and even hospitals. They can survive temperatures from freezing to 122°F and make it several months without eating, making them good survivors in a world that doesnt want them around.
Best Bug Killer Buyers Guide
Bed bugs are often confused with fleas, lice, and other bugs. Before you spend money on a bed bug killer, make sure that youre actually dealing with bed bugs. Theyre tiny, tan or brown bugs about 5 millimeters in length. Its not common to see the actual bugs crawling around, but you may see bloodstains or shed bed bug shells on your sheets. Bites become red, itchy welts and sometimes will appear in a straight line on your skin.
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Does Vinegar Kill Bed Bugs
Yes, spraying vinegar directly on bed bugs can kill them because vinegar is a strong acetic acid that can disrupt an insect’s nervous system. While this home remedy is safe and effective, it is not a standalone treatment, meaning you won’t be able to eradicate a bed bug infestation with vinegar alone. Use vinegar as a natural ingredient to get rid of and even ward against bed bugs until you can come up with a long-lasting solution.
Our Top Pick: Dr Infrared Bed Bug Heater
The Dr. Infrared Bed Bug Heater is a portable, chemical-free way to eliminate bed bugs from your home quickly, and it uses no pesticides or toxic foggers.
It works by heating items you place in the unit to a temperature that kills bed bugs. In addition, it’s well suited for luggage, medium-sized personal items, and clothing bags.
This powerful 18 cubic foot bed bug heater can reach a temperature of around 150°F in only a few minutes, making it one of the most efficient ways to kill bed bugs. It also comes with a two-tier rack so that you can treat smaller items as well.
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Bed Bugs And Pets Faq
Bed bugs are a growing concern in the U.S., and people are realizing that bed bugs aren’t only found in filthy environments they’ve been found in the nicest homes and hotels, too. After all, bed bugs aren’t discriminating they’ll set up home anywhere there are food sources, and those food sources are people and pets.
Bed bugs don’t live on people or pets they live in the environment and feed on people and pets by sucking blood.
So, how do we get rid of these unwanted house guests? Unfortunately, there’s no silver bullet for getting rid of them. Effective bed bug elimination usually includes vigilant monitoring, prevention, a combination of chemical and non-chemical treatments, and teamwork.
Q: How would I know if I have bed bugs in my house?
A: The first clue might be unexplained, itchy bug bites, but these bites can also resemble other bug bites and the reactions to bed bug bites can vary. Blood spots on your sheets are an early and consistent indication of an infestation. Other signs include visual evidence in the form of actual bugs, molted skins, fecal spots or aggregations of all of these.
Q: Do bed bugs carry diseases like ticks, fleas or other pests?
Q: Can my pet carry bed bugs?
Q: I think I’ve got bed bugs in my house. What do I do?
Tell the pest service that you have pets and you need them to use a product that is as safe as possible for your family and your pets.
Q: Are flea and tick preventives effective against bed bugs?
Best Overall: Bed Bug Killer By Ecoraider
A safe, non-toxic product with proven performance equal to the top professional pesticides, Bed Bug Killer by EcoRaider, is our pick for the best overall spray. Multiple studies verify EcoRaiders effectiveness in killing bed bugs. Of more than 7,000 reviews, 62% were five-star ratings. Because EcoRaiders active ingredients block bed bug neuron transmitters that do not exist in vertebrates, bugs in contact with EcoRaider will gradually lose mobility, become paralyzed, and die.
Fans of EcoRaider felt that this was the most effective bed bug spray in dealing with their problem and mentioned its safety and pleasant smell. However, not all users enjoyed the smell: In negative reviews, the most frequent complaints were a dislike of the cedar and eucalyptus fragrance and disappointing results. At $16.95 for 16 ounces, EcoRaider is one of the pricier bed bug sprays, but not the most expensive.
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Benefits Of Doing Your Own Bed Bug Control
There are several benefits to doing your own bedbug treatment.
1.You can do the treatment at your own pace and when you have time vs a company that will set a specific time frame for you to be home which could mean you will miss work.
2. You get to choose what products are being used in your home. You dont have to hope the company you hired is using products you feel are safe for you and your family.
3. No one loves your home and family like you do. Chances are you are going to be very thorough, apply the products only where the instructions say they can be applied and do the follow up treatments as specified. At the end of the day the professional gets to go home, but you and your family will be sleeping in the home. Who has more motivation to get the job done right?
4. There is a clear cost difference between doing your own treatment and hiring a company to do it for you. You will usually spend about $200-$300 to do your own treatment in an average size home while hiring a professional company typically starts at about $1500. While you are using the same exact products they are, you are also paying for their time, travel and labor.
So What Exactly Are Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are insects in the family Cimicidae. Two species are associated with humans : Cimex lectularius is present worldwide, while Cimex hemipterus is a tropical bug. These are small brownish-red, flattened, wingless, blood-feeding insects adults are about the size of a grain of rice. They have 6 legs and 2 long antennae made up of 4 segments. Bed bugs, as the name implies, are present mainly in areas where people and animals sleep. They are active at night when they feed on sleeping people and animals. Females lay eggs in cracks and crevices , places where bed bugs routinely hide while not feeding. These eggs hatch into nymphs, which are miniature replicas of the adults. After 5 generations of nymphs, adults develop. Adults then mate and produce more eggs. All stages of bed bugs , feed on blood typically every 8-10 days, but they can go months without a meal.
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For Severe Bed Bug Infestations
Give vinegar a try, but just remember that heavy infestations will need a professional. This solution works best for infestations that are caught early. If you have a severe infestation this is likely not the solution for you. With the aftermath of self-isolation, bed bugs may be quicker to become a problem. Don’t be afraid to call your local exterminator right away.
This article is accurate and true to the best of the authors knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.
What Are Pet Safe Bed Bug Killers
If you think youve got bed bugs, dont panic. You can eliminate them without endangering your pets or your family.
Dr. Tina Wismer of the ASPCA wants to remind people that bed bugs dont live on the body of their host like ticks or lice.
They primarily feed on humans instead of cats and dogs and hide in cracks and crevices during the day. They try to remain as close to where people sleep as possible, often in the seams of mattresses or box springs.
Since they attack primarily humans and dont stay on the host, it means you can use a wide variety of methods to eradicate bed bugs without subjecting your pets to harsh chemicals and dangerous long-term residues
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Bed Bugs On Cats Pictures
It is difficult to find bed bugs on cats pictures because bed bugs are sneaky creatures. They usually come out at night to feed on the hosts. In absence of human hosts, they could feed on your cats or dogs. However, most bed bugs prefer human blood for their blood meals. Here are a few bed bug bites on cats pictures as well as cats chasing bugs images.
Can They Bite Dogs
Bed bugs can bite dogs as well and will do so if they cannot detect the presence of a sleeping human. Again, due to their dislike of fur, bed bugs will try to avoid dogs with a thicker coat and will go for the more exposed areas.
These little creatures detect their host by tracking the carbon dioxide and heat coming from a sleeping host.
Bed bugs generally wait around for the host to fall asleep before they start feeding. While theyre feeding, they inject the host with anticoagulants and anesthetics, ensuring that their bite wont be noticed and cause the host to wake up.
Your dog will only be able to notice the bite around 10 minutes later when the anesthetic wears off, and by then, the bug will be long gone.
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How To Check Cats For Bed Bugs
You should make sure that the problem is bed bugs before you try and treat it. Try the following examination to see whats affecting your cat:
- Check the cat all over for bite marks and welts, like the ones described above.
- If they have a bed, check it to see if there are bed bugs on, in or around it. Also look for fecal spots , red dots and discarded shells that the bed bugs leave behind when they shed them. Whether you see them or not, wash the bed at a high heat or buy them a new one. There may be eggs that you cant spot.
- Check around the area where your cat sleeps. Are there bed bugs underneath or inside the furniture nearby? Turn the chairs or couch over and see if there are bed bugs there. And if there are any cracks in the wall, or gaps in the sideboard nearby, check those too.
Bed Bugs vs. Fleas vs. Ticks on Cats
Cats can get ticks just like dogs can. And they can get fleas too. But there are two significant ways that bed bugs are different to fleas and ticks: appearance and behavior.
Bed bugs also leave larger bite marks than fleas.
Best Spray Foam: Raid Bed Bug Foaming Spray For Indoor Use Non
Good old Raid is our pick for best bed bug spray foam. The product kills bed bugs and eggs on surfaces for up to four weeks. The foam expands into hard-to-reach places. Out of over 500 reviews, 67% were five-star. Reviews praised the products effectiveness, and ease of use, including using foam, made it easy to see where you have sprayed. Other reviewers mentioned that the products scent was not offensive, but it was strong.
Unsuccessful results were reported in about 5% of the 500 reviews. At $8.98 for a 16.5-ounce can, Raid Bed Bug Foaming Spray is not an expensive option, but if youre dealing with a serious infestation, it might not be your best line of defense.
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Best Natural: Eco Defense Bed Bug Killer
If youre concerned about harsh chemicals and are looking for a natural bed bug spray, try Eco Defense Bed Bug Killer. This bed bug spray has a natural formula and is also non-staining. Many people with small children or pets appreciate the fact that Eco Defense Bed Bug Killer doesnt have any harsh chemicals. The formula does have a noticeable scent due to plant oils, but most users didnt find it to be too offensiveespecially because it’s all-natural.
While the Eco Defense Bed Bug Killer is an effective, natural bed bug spray, it only kills on contact and doesnt have residual effects. So for serious infestations, best results are seen when this product is used along with other treatment methods.
If bed bugs have invaded your space, you need to treat your mattress with a bed bug spray. While there are a lot of suitable bed bug sprays for mattresses, Bedlam Plus is a popular option. This water-based spray is safe for most surfaces, including your mattress if you dont want it to become stained by pesticides. The Bedlam Plus spray will kill bed bugs on contact and also has up to two weeks of residual killing power.
Relieve vacation worries by getting a bed bug spray for travel. The Rest Easy Bed Bug Spray is a perfect way to ward off an infestation when youre on the road.
Materials To Apply On
Before buying a bed bug killer, youll have to find out what materials it can be used on. The best bed bug killers are safe to use on wood, carpeting, mattresses, and other furniture without staining. If you cant spray your bed with a bed bug killer, how effective will it really be? Make sure you can use the product on any surface in your home that may have bed bugs.
Once you choose a bed bug spray, its important to follow all of the manufacturers instructions. Your product should come with a user manual, or the instructions should be printed on the bottle. If you ignore the directions, the spray wont work properly, and youll have wasted time and money. If the product contains harmful chemicals, it also could be dangerous not to pay close attention to the instructions. Wear gloves and eye protection whenever you use the product, and never spray a bed bug killer directly on your skin.
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