Physical Bed Bug Control Far Outweighs Chemical Bed Bug Treatments
Treatment of bed bugs with harsh bed bug sprays can be harmful
At Bell, we have evaluated the many different methods for treating bed bugs, and after many years and thousands of clients, have determined that for a safe, thorough, effective solution without collateral damage or risks, freezing bed bugs with InstantFreezeTM is the best answer. We know that there are other methods of eliminating bed bugs, but there are certain limitations on their use and effectiveness.
While some bed bug companies rely solely on pesticides to eliminate bed bugs, Bell emphasizes physical not chemical means for bed bug control. Bed bugs’ inherent and growing resistance to pesticides gives insecticides limited value against bed bugs.
Bell’s combination bed bug treatments involve detailed crack and crevice treatments with InstantFreeze. If requested by the customer, appropriate natural compounds or chemicals are applied as limited complements in select areas, usually in wall voids and away from human contact.
The problem with using pesticides as a predominant bed bug treatment
Chemical pesticides simply don’t work well on bed bugs; even strong bed bug sprays sometimes only accomplish a “knock down,” temporarily immobilizing these parasites. Studies have shown that most bed bug pesticides are largely ineffective. Bed bugs had evolved strong resistance to DDT before it was banned in the 1970s! Now bed bugs are immune to DDT and other similar bed bug pesticides that provide bed bug control. Many industry and over the counter chemical bed bug sprays are ineffective as they are pyrethroids that act on the nerve endings similar to DDT.
Our company agrees with regulators and the pest control industry’s best practices by emphasizing physical means for bed bug treatment over pesticides. The NYC Bed Bug Advisory Board recommends against pesticide dependent bed bug control. A 2011 Center for Disease Control study “Acute Illnesses Associated With Insecticides Used to Control Bed Bugs” showed that some insecticides used for bed bugs make victims sick.
Even when pesticides are effective, their use is not ideal for eliminating bed bugs. Many pesticide-based bed bug solutions require direct contact to kill these critters. If that’s the case, then why use a pesticide at all? Wouldn’t you rather apply non-toxic InstantFreeze dry ice, freezing bed bugs, without the use of chemicals that persist in the room?
Insects that are hit by aerosol sprays or fogging may simply scatter or hide, making the problem worse. Some compounds like alcohol-based bed bug treatments, do kill bed bugs, but do not work on the eggs, so it’s only a matter of time before the next bed bug infestation begins!
Contact Bell at 877-376-1775 to learn more.
Pesticides can’t be used in public buildings and schools for bed bug treatment
In New York City, Local Law 37 requires strict licensing and confined use of potentially carcinogen-carrying pesticides. Use of such bed bug solutions means prior notification and the risk of exposing inhabitants or employees to their effects.
Certain chemicals that are licensed for use on bed bugs cannot be used under certain state and local laws (such as in New York City, California, and elsewhere) due to health risks. Enacted in 2005, New York City’s Local Law 37 prohibits the use of certain pesticide products based on their toxicity and potential to cause cancer and/or reproductive effects in any property owned or leased by New York City.
The specifications for bed bug treatment used by many companies rely on the use of pesticides that are prohibited for use in City buildings under New York City’s Local Law 37. In addition, under Local Law 37, many chemical products that can be used require a pre-notification posting 24-hours in advance of pesticide usage that chemicals will be used in a location.
States’ laws, such as NJ and NY, are even more restrictive in their use of pesticides in schools posing severe limits on what can be used and requiring widespread notifications and postings.
Fogging doesn’t work and can cause damage
Some pest control companies suggest fogging an office to solve bed bug problems. Fogging involves using an oil-based pyrethroid, which the bed bugs have grown immune to and may even metabolize. At best, fogging bed bugs has dubious effectiveness. At worst, fogging will not solve the problem, drive these insects deeper into hiding, and leave an oily film on furniture, electronics, and glass.
Click here for more information on fogging.
Combination with steam/vacuum bed bug treatments
Many bed bug companies use a combination of steam heat and HEPA vacuuming bed bug solutions, often in conjunction with pesticides. While these methods are non-toxic and sometimes effective, they are severely limited in a number of ways that the method of freezing bed bugs is not.
Steam heat applies scalding water vapor directly to the bed bug infestation, essentially steaming them to death. Since only water vapor is used, this bed bug control is definitely non-toxic, but it also poses a major problem: eliminating bed bugs with heat from steam can damage anything that’s sensitive to either high temperatures or excessive moisture, like electronics, decorations, furniture, etc.
HEPA vacuums can be used to physically remove bugs from a bed bug infestation, but can’t provide thorough bed bug control. Bed bug eggs are too sticky to be sucked up by vacuums. In addition, vacuums can’t fit into the smallest bed bug hiding spots, which poses another meaningful limit.
Freezing bed bugs: clean, powerful, and safe
For all of these reasons, Bell Environmental recommends InstantFreeze bed bug control, which is safe and thorough, and won’t damage furnishings, computers, electronic equipment, or artwork.
Bell Environmental is the company relied upon by the most prestigious medical, commercial, corporate and residential facilities. Our technicians perform successful and detailed crack and crevice treatments using our innovative InstantFreeze method for getting rid of bed bugs.
Contact Bell at 877-376-1775 to learn more about why InstantFreeze bed bug control is the first choice in bed bug solutions.