As I was reading the news and notes from the industry and the insect world, I came across the Top 10 Worst Bed bug treatment methods. And while some of these may be somewhat humorous, for many people, bed bugs are no laughing matter.
- Rubbing Alcohol / Baking Soda – a combination of these two common substances applied to your mattress or sofa.
- Shutting the heat off – trying to freeze bed bugs in winter.
- WD-40 – it’s a lubricant not a pesticide. But there are those who use it for everything.
- Olive oil – trying to make your skin to slippery for the bed bug to climb.
- Do-it-Yourself pesticides – choosing an exterior pesticide, it’s not only dangerous, but ineffective against bed bugs.
- Night Light – trying to fool the bed bugs by leaving the lights on all night.
- Fire Extinguishers – leaves a real mess, but does not control bed bugs by freezing them.
- Bug Bombs – not effective for bed bugs, increased pressure can cause explosion.
- Sulfer – was used in the 18th century, however not suggested today, burning it can cause dangerous gases.
- The #1 worst treatment for bed bugs – Gasoline/kerosene. Using these products on the bed is a smelly situation, never mind the fire hazard – maybe this is where the Fire extinguisher comes in handy!
This information was gathered from PCO’s across the country, by Protect-A-Bed, a leading bed bug mattress encasement manufacturer and published in PCT magazine, a pest control industry trade magazine.
The number one BEST treatment method for bed bug control is calling a professional pest management company who specializes in bed bug treatment. Of course I’m biased and I recommend Invader Pest Management in the Phoenix area. Invader can be reached at 623-888-8395 for all your bed bug questions and bed bug control procedures including bed bug heat treatments