Five unconventional ways to get rid of bedbugs
Bedbugs are officially causing paranoia in Toronto. A quick Google news search reveals an increase in bedbug-related news stories from around the city in the past week (like here, here and here). The seed-size monsters are one of the most difficult pests to eradicate, but as incidents start to add up, so do solutions. Most of these go well beyond the time-consuming steam-and-vacuum method or the toxic professional with fumigation equipment. Below, five new or overlooked techniques for dealing with the baddies.
Heat therapy
This technique is new to Toronto, and proponents are hailing it as one of the most effective—and most expensive—treatment methods available. A series of portable heaters and fans raise the temperature of a living space to sauna levels, about 45 degrees Celsius, killing bedbugs and their eggs. Vinyl collections (or anything else that could be warped by the heat) should be taken out of the house prior to treatment.
Cold therapy
If heat seems too risky, property owners can indulge in the opposite. A new technology known as Cryonite sprays a CO2 “snow” on bedbugs, instantly freezing them to death. The snow comes out of a hose at a temperature of -80 degrees Celsius and eventually dissipates into C02 gas, leaving no residue.
Homemade DDT
Some experts are blaming the recent bedbug surge on the banning of DDT. The once-common pesticide is impossible to buy now—but this is the age of DIY. Recipes for DDT are readily available on the Internet. Noting that this toxic slop was banned for a reason, we’re going to put this solution in the “no” pile.
Diatomaceous earth
This dust made from crushed fossils has long been used to control pests, and for good reason. The tiny particles are completely non-toxic but act as razor wire to bugs with waxy shells, like bedbugs. If a bug is unfortunate enough to walk through this stuff, the dust cuts through its shell, causing it to slowly die of dehydration. Good for the vendetta inclined.
The NightWatch bedbug monitor
A little piece of technology that takes advantage of bedbugs’ habit of tracking humans by their exhaled CO2. The machine lures bugs by mimicking a breathing human body and traps them. As nifty as it sounds, the monitor is most effective when combined with other treatments.
. The seed-size monsters are one of the most difficult pests to eradicate, but as incidents start to add up, so do solutions. Most of these go well beyond the time-consuming steam-and-vacuum method or the toxic professional with fumigation equipment. Below, five new or overlooked techniques for dealing with the baddies.
Heat therapy
This technique is new to Toronto, and proponents are hailing it as one of the most effective—and most expensive—treatment methods available. A series of portable heaters and fans raise the temperature of a living space to sauna levels, about 45 degrees Celsius, killing bedbugs and their eggs. Vinyl collections (or anything else that could be warped by the heat) should be taken out of the house prior to treatment.
Cold therapy
If heat seems too risky, property owners can indulge in the opposite. A new technology known as Cryonite sprays a CO2 “snow” on bedbugs, instantly freezing them to death. The snow comes out of a hose at a temperature of -80 degrees Celsius and eventually dissipates into C02 gas, leaving no residue.
Homemade DDT
Some experts are blaming the recent bedbug surge on the banning of DDT. The once-common pesticide is impossible to buy now—but this is the age of DIY. Recipes for DDT are readily available on the Internet. Noting that this toxic slop was banned for a reason, we’re going to put this solution in the “no” pile.
Diatomaceous earth
This dust made from crushed fossils has long been used to control pests, and for good reason. The tiny particles are completely non-toxic but act as razor wire to bugs with waxy shells, like bedbugs. If a bug is unfortunate enough to walk through this stuff, the dust cuts through its shell, causing it to slowly die of dehydration. Good for the vendetta inclined.
The NightWatch bedbug monitor
A little piece of technology that takes advantage of bedbugs' habit of tracking humans by their exhaled CO2. The machine lures bugs by mimicking a breathing human body and traps them. As nifty as it sounds, the monitor is most effective when combined with other treatments.){kind=link}
The City of Toronto warns against using Diatomaceous earth because it scars human lungs if used incorrectly. Pesk control companies may use it, but they are trained and use appropriate quantities. This shouldn’t be on your DIY list and neither should links to homemade chemicals that you know are dangerous.
Also, studies have shown that today’s bedbugs are now DDT resistant so it wouldn’t make a difference anyhow.
Toronto Public Health needs to declare this situation a health risk, and create programs for education and a support system for those who don’t have personal resources to deal with this.
We need communities to work together to get rid of the bugs.
Treating one apartment in a building does nothing.
Bugs will run and hide, and then spread, and then come back.
The city must make it mandatory for landlords, property management, and property owners across the city to have their dwellings inspected (at least once a year) and treat entire buildings to get rid of, and keep bugs under control.
People must learn that the bugs have nothing to do with being clean and having dirt – bugs don’t like dirt, they like wood, and cozy warm places to nest – like paper and clothing.
Dirt has nothing to do with it.
Stop the stigma, and start working together.
The city must offer free services for pickup removal, and disposal of infested furniture – separate from regular garbage pick up, and on a daily basis – the amount of mattresses and furniture sitting around on streetcurbs in this city everyday is frustrating.
Don’t think the bugs aren’t crawling off of these and wandering around the streets looking for a new place to nest.
They are everywhere – please don’t leave your infested items on the street, and please don’t pick up infested items thinking they are awesome free used items.
Be careful about second hand stuff on Craigslist.
They all contribute to the reason this has become so widespread.
While not dangerous, keep in mind that the bites are irritating, uncomfortable, and take a long time to heal, and for those that are allergic to bug bites (similar to allergy to bee stings) it can become a serious health risk.
Waking up morning after morning with ten or more bites on you is detrimental to your general state of mind and function. It does take a toll.
It definitely does take a toll on your mind! I am personally going through this nightmare and have been going through it for the past year and a half. I’m very scared of going to other peopole’s houses because I’m afraid the bugs might’ve hitched a ride in my clothing or handbag and I’m spreading them to my friends & family.
My building management has had treatment done 4 times in my apartment and the bugs still come back time after time. It doesnt help that they only treat my suite. They need to do the whole building to get rid of these pests, because they just hide in other suites and spread further.
I’ve asked them to treat the whole building many times but everytime they have refused saying it’s too costly. Their policy is; only treat the units that complain, to save money.
The reason for this post is I need advice on what to do with my building management…WHO CAN I COMPLAIN TO THAT WILL TAKE ACTION???
THANKS
Some people have some interesting ideas, like for example putting your stuff in a hot car in the summer;
http://livesafely.org/personal-safety/get-rid-of-bedbugs/
the laws that surround the use of DDT represent a perfect example of what happens when people grossly over-use an insecticide. Had it been used with a degree of intelligence, it would’nt have posed any danger. But it was sprayed and dumped indiscriminately, resulting in the deaths of countless birds, fish, wildlife, and even a few people. I have some DDT “moth killer”, 2 gallons, from the 60s and have used them for bedbugs. All of my neighbours have had exterminators and the bedbugs would return every time. They NEVER have with me. Mix one quart DDT moth killer per gallon of paint and your walls will always be protected. The key thing is NEVER to use this with no reason, indiscriminate use lead to many problems with this wonderful life-saving insecticide. The RCMP could not PRY the remaining DDT i have, Yes, i know it’s very much against the law, but, as i said, use it with a degree of intelligence, and it will not pose a danger
The trick to bedbugs is to catch the infestation early. In this regard, I have had success with the BugBox product from the US. Not only does it catch them early, but it’s inexpensive and very discreet. Should be available in Canada soon. Good luck.
Random search from Google and found this article, really a good article to read at my free time now. Thanks!
we have bed bug problems and we dont know how to get rid of them please help
Great Toronto bed bug blog here
http://bed-bugs-toronto.blogspot.ca/
Make sure you don’t have wall to wall carpeting. Make sure you get rid of infested couches and beds and chairs if possible, otherwise cover them and seal them with plastic wrap to prevent them from escaping the item, and from preventing them to enter the item. Use Diatomaceous earth all over the items that are infested before sealing and wapping them up with plastic wrap; also spread it evenly all over your carpets, floors, and all corners, including backs of your picture frames, your books, book shelfs, etc… anywhere where you notice a crack. Get a Dyson Vacum if you are able to and vacum every item, and your whole house or apartment or condo, otherwise just use a regular vacum but please change the vacum bag as soon as you’re done and throw it away by placing it in a plastic bag and make sure you have tied the bag tightly before throwing it out, this will prevent them from infesting other homes or preventing them from moving back into your home. Use simple bug repellent all over your body which states up to 8 hours, this will prevent them from biting you at night. If you can afford hiring professionals, then do so. I wish you all the best.
How to get rid of Bed Bugs:
I’m 100% bed bug free. I did it, so can you.
If you catch the infestation early on it will make a huge difference to get rid of these pests for good. Always inspect your home when you have visitors who you might think might be carrying bed bugs on them, or make sure every time you come home to change your clothing and placing them in the dryer for a few minutes to make sure no bugs have taken a ride with you to your home, especially if you have traveled away from home, or you have been to the home/s of those who are infested by bed bugs. Make sure you don’t have wall to wall carpeting. Make sure you get rid of infested couches and beds and chairs if possible, otherwise cover them and seal them with plastic wrap to prevent them from escaping the item, and from preventing them to enter the item. Use Diatomaceous earth all over the items that are infested before sealing and wapping them up with plastic wrap; also spread it evenly all over your carpets, floors, and all corners, including backs of your picture frames, your books, book shelfs, etc… anywhere where you notice a crack. Get a Dyson Vacum if you are able to and vacum every item, and your whole house or apartment or condo, otherwise just use a regular vacum but please change the vacum bag as soon as you’re done and throw it away by placing it in a plastic bag and make sure you have tied the bag tightly before throwing it out, this will prevent them from infesting other homes or preventing them from moving back into your home. Use simple bug repellent all over your body which states up to 8 hours, this will prevent them from biting you at night. If you can afford hiring professionals, then do so. I wish you all the best.
I would suggest the professional route. I live in winnipeg, manitoba and I used Responders Pest Control http://www.responders.ca
If its so bad why don’t you move, or all the tenants contribute for the cost, it certainly isn’t the landlords fault he/she/they, didn’t bring them in, sheeesh its always someone elses fault.
Pest control companies will scam you they will charge a fortune and there is no guarntee. in fact the bugs will be back. find a way to deal with them yourself become you own professional trial and error makes for perfect.
Well done its surpising what a person can do if they get off their backside and stop blaming others, well done.
Hey I have have bed bugs I live in an apartment can I sue my landlord for tons of money? I need cash quick,
Oh BS. DDT is not toxic. Show everyone even 1 case of DDT being conclusively linked to harming a human or animal. They don’t exist. DDT was tested thoroughly before it was used by the military and then made available to the public.
DDT is as safe as grapefruit juice. Read the research from Harvard and the American Council on Science and Health for starters. You still believe a hippie fantasy world where everything is wrong.
Cut the crappola and bring back DDT People to help humanity rid the world of vector born disease and pests. Sheesh !
You can get bed bugs anywhere these days. Bed bugs are not confined to
any one socio-economic caste. Dealing with bed bugs requires getting a
professional pest control company to come in and deal with it properly.
There are good companies out there. http://www.pestxperts.ca/ for example that can do the whole thing including preparation for those that can’t or won’t and the laundry too