Can soap and water kill bed bugs?:

Soap and water alone are not enough to kill bed bugs. While soap and water can help to remove bed bugs, feces somewhat (but will leave a stain on some items like sheets), eggs and shed skins from surfaces, it is not a reliable method for eradicating an infestation. Bed bugs are highly resilient and can survive for long periods of time without food sources (blood meals) or water (bed bugs do not drink water only blood), and they are also resistant to many common insecticides. Even when the chemicals are directly labeled for bed bugs themselves, they can be resistant to some types.

Bed bugs/bed bug eggs/bed bug excrement/bed bug nest. Found on couch located in Northeast Oklahoma at our clients home.

What is the best way to kill bed bugs then?:

To effectively kill every bed bug and egg, it is necessary to use a combination of methods, including chemical treatments, heat treatments, and physical removal.

Read: What Are Proven Effective Bed Bug Treatment Types?

Chemical treatments for bed bugs:

Chemical treatments are often used to kill bed bugs and their eggs, and may include insecticides such as:

Pyrethroids (no longer a good choice to kill bed bugs that are resistant to them).
Neonicotinoids (best).
Biologicals-(Name: Aprehend, also best).
Desiccants-(Name: made mostly of alchohol, leaves no trace of chemical behind one dry, so it will not continue to kill after dried).

Bed bug nest found on bottom of chair located inside of a home in Northeast Oklahoma.

Read: Pros and cons of chemical bed bug treatments.

Read: Truth About Cheap Chemical Bed Bug Treatments

Read: Chemical bed bug treatments explained. (What to expect from a chemical only bed bug treatment).

Read: Top 10 Bed Bug Chemicals That Actually Work

Read: Where To Buy Chemicals For Bed Bugs That Work

Bed bug heat treatments:

Heat treatments, which involve raising the temperature of an infested area to a level that is lethal to bed bugs, can also be extremely effective and is the quickest way to get rid of bed bugs in a home or business. Most places that receive heat remediation for bed bugs, at least from our pest control company that specializes in bed bugs, will only need one treatment appointment to kill bed bugs plus their eggs off, all at once.

Image shows Dead Bug Walkin's heat remediation equipment set up at our clients home in Northeast Oklahoma. Notice how everything is separated to allow the heat to reach all areas.

Again though, heat treatments are not a stand alone treatment. They offer no protection for after the heat service has been completed. It is best to have chemical treatments along with heat remediation for best results. This is very important to remember, so don't forget it!

Read: What is a Bed Bug Heat Treatment?

Read: What is heat remediation for bed bugs?

Read: Bed Bug Heat Or Chemical, Which One?

Read: What heaters do pro's use to kill bed bugs?

Read: How to make a heat bed bug treatment 100% more effective?

Read: #1 Reason Bed Bug Heat Treatments Fail?

Read: Steam Heat vs Remediation Heat For Bed Bug Treatments

Diesel bed bug heater indirect fired with conduit running through a window into the home. — View from outside while our heat remediation equipment is operating at a local Northeastern Oklahoma clients bed bug infested home. We have heaters that can go inside for more low profile services though if needed.

Physical removal of bed bugs:

Physical removal of bed bugs mainly includes vacuuming. Vacuuming alone in all the places that bed bugs hide in can eliminate up to 95% of an infestation all by yourself. This will by you some time and reduce the number of bites received until you can get a professional specialist for bed bugs out to your home or business to eliminate them for you.

Just be sure to empty your vacuum immediately once you've stopped vacuuming. Most of the insects will die when vacuumed up but their will be some survivors. So, be sure to empty your vacuum upon finishing. We allow you to leave your vacuum to go thru our heat treatment to kill any survivors that may be inside of it.

Read: How to clean after bed bug treatment?

Read: Do I have to throw furniture away for a bed bug treatment?

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Not all pest control companies are created equally:

It is important to note that bed bug infestations can be difficult to eliminate and may require professional help. If you suspect that you have a bed bug infestation, it is recommended that you consult a pest control professional for assistance.

Not all companies or pest management professionals are created equal though, so choose your help wisely. Looking at reviews, websites and speaking with them by phone is the easiest way to weed out the fakers from the experienced. If your not wowed after your phone call then move on to the next company. You should never be made to feel stupid when your calling a pest control company or individual. Normally, the smaller the company the better the service. This is the case for more than just pest control services though mostly.

Read: How do I know if a bed bug service is legit?…