When facing the challenge of bed bugs, many people are choosing to leave their old apartment behind and move on to bigger and better (if not just better).  This poses many concerns for both those with bed bugs, and those without.  How do you know that the moving company you hire will not move bed bugs in with all of your belongings, and if you do have bed bugs, how do you move without bringing them with you?


At A3 Superior, we have a solution for most moving problems, which also proves to be a solution for other situations - Bed bug thermals, in a truck!  Through the processes that we have developed over the past few years, and taking into consideration all of our previous experiences, we have in our arsenal the ability to complete thermal remediation treatments in box trucks, moving trucks, personal vehicles, and more.

The completion of a thermal treatment in a moving truck is a very effective moving tool.  While we cannot guarantee that the new apartment is currently free of bed bugs (without an inspection of course), we can ensure that your belongings are. Cost of treating a truck varies greatly based upon location, size of truck, amount of belongings and more.  Call 1-977-757-7767 for more information.

When considering a move, why not consider a bed bug truck thermal? 

Which came first, the bug or the egg?

While most bed bug infestations occur via spread or transportation of live bed bugs, it is of course possible to bring bed bug eggs into your home, especially if you are purchasing used furniture or picking things up curb-side.

Female bed bugs generally lay one to twelve eggs in a day.  In a ten month time period, one female bed bug can lay upwards of 200 eggs.  The eggs are deposited in protected places, within a close proximity to the host (you).  Common  places for eggs include interior spaces of box springs, mattresses, under wallpaper, behind baseboards, etc.  Bed bug eggs are "glued" to the deposit site with a stick substrate coating.  This coating makes it difficult to dislodge the eggs.  Eggs are white and generally around 1/32 of an inch in length.

Bed bug eggs hatch at rates dependent upon temperature.  Generally speaking, eggs will hatch in around two weeks.  The eggs do not need their mother present in order to hatch.  The eggs pose one of the largest threats, as many chemicals do not kill bed bug eggs.  This is the main reason why chemical bed bug treatments are generally spaced out at two week intervals.  Any eggs that are not killed during the previous treatment, will be killed during the next, before they are of size and age to lay eggs of their own.

Keep in mind when planning a treatment, thermal or heat treatments for bed bugs kills all stages of bed bug life.

When facing a bed bug infestation, one of the first things that needs to be decided on is the type of treatment you will use.  At A3 Superior Pest Control, we are proud to offer both thermal remediation for bed bugs, as well as chemical bed bug treatments.  Which treatment is best for you?

Time Involved
Thermal remediation is completed in one visit, which generally takes ten to twelve hours from start to finish.  A properly executed chemical treatment requires three treatments, spaced out evenly over a six week period.  The time involved with chemical treatments varies from location to location, usually taking approximately one to two hours, however first treatment can run anywhere from 2 -8 hours depending on size of the property and amount of techs sent.

Preparation
Chemical extermination for bed bugs requires a lengthy preparation, which causes displacement throughout the course of the treatment.  This preparation includes, but is not limited to, the full processing of all clothing, linens, curtains and other fabrics (done by washing/drying or dry cleaning), reducing clutter, emptying drawers, and much more.  Many items are required to be placed in sealed bags, which must remain this way for the entire treatment.  The average prep time runs between 1-3 days. (See prep list for specifics).  Thermal remediation requires the removal of items that would be affected by the heat.  Examples of such items include wax candles, fire arms and explosives, aerosol cans, batteries, and other items.  For a full preparation list for either treatment, please click here.

Overall Procedure Thermal
The first step in thermal remediation is an inspection/estimate.  Our technician/estimator will determine the size of your home, property, office, etc.; what needs to be removed and treated in ways other than heat; and explain the overall preparation. During the estimate, we will explain the entire procedure, show you what needs to be prepared, determine heater amounts and crew size, estimate time requirements, etc.

Chemical Procedure
During our chemical treatments for bed bugs, we provide three individual visits.  During the course of treatments, our technicians apply different products and chemicals as well as use steam. The products used are based on the latest efficacy studies as to what is most effective now in killing bed bugs. This is important because we are finding more and more cases of resistance to pesticides.  We steam cracks and crevices, couches, beds stuffed chairs etc. to help eliminate eggs as well as insects. In addition we inject wall outlets and switch plates with dust. If there are hardwood floors with lots of cracks and crevices in them we will apply food grade DE to these areas. Following each chemical treatment, healthy residents will need to remain out of the treated area for a minimum of four hours (time required is different for elderly, children, and those with certain medical conditions). In order to treat, all prep work must be done properly.

Safety
Thermal is safer for households with small children, cancer survivors, pregnancy, or people in ill health. Although we can use all natural products such as food grade DE and steam, for chemical treatments, this will increase the number of visits required and thus the cost of a chemical treatment.

Thermal Temperature
ThermaFume operates at 140 degrees except in cases of delicate items such as pianos or antique furniture. We can fumigate these items or reduce our temperature and cook for a longer time period. Average cook time once we reach our optimal temp is 4 hours. In cases with a lot of clutter this can be extended to 6 hours.

**Please note that the procedures outlined represent only the procedures followed by A3 Superior Pest Control, and ThermaFume.


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