Bed Bug Treatment

If you suspect you have been bitten by bed bugs, it's important to consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice. However, here are some general recommendations:

• Clean the Bites: Wash the bites with soap and water to help prevent infection. Avoid scratching the bites, as it can lead to open sores and increase the risk of infection.

• Reduce Itching and Swelling: Apply an over-the-counter anti-itch cream or calamine lotion to the affected areas. Take an oral antihistamine to help reduce itching and inflammation. Consult with a healthcare professional before taking any medication.

• Cold Compress: Applying a cold compress or ice pack wrapped in a cloth to the affected areas can help reduce swelling and numb the area.

• Avoid Allergens: If you are aware of any allergies, make sure to avoid triggers that may worsen the reaction.

• Monitor for Signs of Infection: Keep an eye on the bites for signs of infection, such as increased redness, swelling, warmth, or the presence of pus. If any of these symptoms occur, seek medical attention promptly.

• Consult a Healthcare Professional: If you are unsure about the cause of the bites, if they persist, or if you experience severe symptoms, consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

You should see a dermatologist for treatment if you have:

• Many bites
• Blisters
• Skin infection (bites feel tender or ooze discharge, such as pus)
• An allergic skin reaction (skin red and swollen or hives)

Your dermatologist may prescribe the following to treat bed bug bites:

• Allergic reaction. Some people may require an injection of an antihistamine, corticosteroid, or epinephrine (adrenaline) for a severe allergic reaction.
• Infection. An infection may require an antibiotic. If the infection is mild, your dermatologist may recommend an antiseptic medication that you can buy without a prescription. Your dermatologist will tell you which one to use. Your dermatologist also may recommend an antiseptic to prevent a skin infection.
• Itch. A prescription antihistamine pill or liquid can help. You also can apply a corticosteroid to the bites. Your dermatologist will tell you which is best for you.

Bed bugs are an incredibly difficult pest to control because they are so good at hiding in tiny cracks and crevices. Also, modern bed bug populations are highly resistant to the most common insecticides used for their control. Because bed bugs are difficult to access, and insecticides do not always work as well as we would like, home owners and pest management professionals have been searching for novel ways to kill bed bugs inside a structure.

Heat is known to be a very effective bed bug killer and it can be used in many different ways to treat infestations. For instance, heat in the form of steam can be used to treat bed bugs in carpets, behind base boards and on upholstered furniture. Hot dryers and portable heat chambers can be used to kill bed bugs in infested household items. Larger heat chambers can be used to treat furniture, while professional heating systems can be used to treat entire rooms and structures.

Heat treatment offers certain advantages when it comes to bed bug management. Heat is non-toxic, and can kill all bed bug life stages - including bed bug eggs. However, heat treatment of any kind (except your home clothes dryer) is still relatively expensive and has no residual effect. The lack of residual activity means that bed bugs can re-infest again immediately after treatment.

On average, homeowners pay between $917 and $1,917 for professional bed bug treatment. On the high end, depending on what treatments and services a homeowner purchases, a homeowner could pay as much as $5,267 to treat an infestation of the whole house. The infested area’s size, the type of bed bug treatment used, and the infestation’s severity will affect the overall cost. When you spot a bed bug in your home, call a professional exterminator right away. The longer you wait, the more you can expect to pay to get rid of your bed bug infestation.

It can be difficult to get rid of a bedbug infestation because they hide well and can live months without eating. You may need to hire a professional exterminator, who will likely use a combination of pesticides and nonchemical treatments.

You may also self-treat your home for bed bugs by:

• Vacuuming. A thorough vacuuming of crevices can remove bedbugs from an area but likely won't capture all of them. Empty the vacuum after each use.

• Laundering. Washing items in water that's at least 120 F can kill bedbugs. As will putting them in a dryer on a high setting for 20 minutes.

In some cases, you may have to throw out heavily infested items such as mattresses or couches. Make it obvious the item is unusable so no one else picks it up and gets bed bugs.

In extreme situations, professional treatment is most likely the only effective treatment for an affected home or business. When living in a shared housing situation such as an apartment or condo, it is best to pursue professional treatment. The reason for this is that there are more potential locations for the bed bugs to spread to. The down side to this treatment is that professional exterminators can be expensive. Professional exterminators will give recommendations that must be completed by residents in order to prevent continued or further infestations. Contact us to learn more about our professional bed bug treatments.