The 3 biggest reasons why pesticides are not effective for bed bug extermination.

1. Every pesticide approved in the USA market under FIFRA ( Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act ) and used for bed bugs, was specifically developed for insects other than bed bugs. Only when those pesticides’ patent protection was about to expire, bed bug use was added to the list of insects on the label to extend the patent protection effectively giving the product a couple more years. Bed bugs are unique in many ways beginning with feeding habits, resistance building, harborage, and reproduction to name a few.
2. Every pesticide on the market utilizes a deterrent component. The deterrent component simply alerts the insect to the existence of the pesticide sending a message to the insect “It is dangerous for you here. Go elsewhere “. So far no problems, as long as you are dealing with insects entering your house from the outside. You apply the product on the exterior walls and all is fine. Well, bed bugs don’t live outdoors and don’t crawl into your home through doors and windows. Bed bugs can be transported into our homes on our clothing, furniture, and potentially any item that is brought in by us or our visitors. Or, in a multifamily building setting or a hotel, they can travel from one unit to the adjacent unit.

Therefore, if you apply a pesticide in one area you will simply push the bed bugs into the other area of your home where the pesticide was not used practically spreading the infestation. If you apply the pesticide throughout the entire house, the bed bugs will look for shelter in wall voids, cracks and crevices that the pesticide did not reach into, making proper bed bug extermination far more difficult and expensive. Btw. cracks and crevices are bed bug’s favorite places to live as they love to feel pressure on both sides of their bodies.

1. Imagine for a moment there was a pesticide that was effective for bed bugs and safe for you, your family, and your pets. If somehow, the bed bug or bed bug egg was exposed to but survived the treatment with that pesticide, within 2 generations the offspring will be 100% resistant to that pesticide. That translates to around 150 days on the long side or as little as 30 days under some conditions. 

Hopefully, by now you realize why there are no effective and safe pesticides on the market and why pesticide manufacturers are not rushing to develop new products.

Here, at K&A Pest Control we recognized that 14 years ago and this is when we dedicated ourselves 100% to the safe, effective, and non-toxic treatment of bed bugs using mostly mechanical methods and a true IPM ( Integrated Pest Management ) against which bed bugs simply can not defend or adapt.

Biggest problem with heat treatment for bed bugs

There are three major problems with ambient heat treatment for bed bugs.

1. The way the heat treatment for bed bugs is being sold to you. Do not get me wrong, heat treatment can and often does work but not by itself. There is no silver bullet or a panacea for bed bugs and there will not be any for a very long time ( I will cover this subject in the next video). Yet, the salespeople working for the companies that sell heat treatment will tell you that heat attracts bed bugs, that bed bugs are drawn to it from wherever they are hiding and then perish from heat exhaustion. That is exactly 2,5% true. What attracts or draws bed bugs to you, just like a few other insects is the CO2 we exhale. That’s right, this is how bed bugs know there is a living and breathing host in the vicinity CO2 represents  95% of attraction, and your body heat and body scent account for 2.5% each. If you don’t want to take my word for it, please refer to Purdue University or Kentucky University Entomology Department which are the two leading, non-biast sources for bed bug research or PCT ( Pest Control Technology) magazine.
2. Heat sink areas. These are the areas in the house that heat up at a slower rate than the other areas. Effectively speaking bed bugs will find refuge in those areas to escape the heat. Please note, that the temperature monitors used by companies providing ambient heat treatment for bed bugs are placed in the general areas,  not in the heat sink areas. Granted, not all of them will be able to find those cooler places and will die during heat treatment, however, that is not the goal nor what you were promised.
3. A complete lack of residual protection. This is the biggest problem with the ambient heat treatment for bed bugs. Once the heat dissipates and the temperature returns to normal there is no residual protection and nothing to continue the process of bed bug eradication. If even one bed bug or bed bug egg survived, which is not hard to imagine considering what I explained in the first two paragraphs, or if bed bugs were reintroduced to your home, there is simply nothing to stop the infestation from growing and this nightmare from continuing.

Experience Effective Bed Bug Control in Orlando, Florida Using Integrated Protective Management (IPM)

Experience Effective Bed Bug Control in Orlando, Florida

Are you struggling with persistent bed bug infestations in your Orlando home? Don’t worry, we understand the unique challenges these pests can pose in our warm and inviting climate. Bed bugs are notorious for their adaptability and resilience, making them a tough adversary. When seeking solutions, you might have come across ambient heat treatments, which claim to eliminate bed bugs using high temperatures. However, let’s delve into the science and realities of this approach and why it might not be your best option.

1. Unveiling the Science Behind Bed Bug Attraction

Bed bugs are indeed drawn to heat, but it’s important to separate the facts from the hype. Our body heat contributes only 2.5% to their attraction. The real magnet is the carbon dioxide we exhale, responsible for a staggering 95% of their interest. The remaining 5% is shared between our body scent and heat. This is the true bed bug biology. So, while the claim that heat is a lure is 2.5% true, the full picture tells a more intricate story.

2. The Costly Equipment Dilemma

In the beautiful city of Orlando, bed bug remediation should be effective, efficient, and budget-friendly. Ambient heat treatments require expensive equipment – think around $400K for an average 3-bedroom home in Boston. However, this cost is prohibitive for most companies in both Boston and Orlando. A common approach is to treat parts of the home sequentially due to these constraints. But this can merely relocate bed bugs within your space, rather than providing a comprehensive solution.

3. The Problem of Heat Sinks

Even Orlando’s well-built structures have areas that heat up unevenly. This fact, combined with the earlier discussed bed bug attraction factors, can reduce the effectiveness of heat treatments. Even if just one bed bug or egg survives the treatment, you’re left without protection.

4. The Lack of Residual Defense

The Orlando climate means fluctuations in room temperature are inevitable. Once the temperature returns to normal, heat treatments offer no ongoing protection against bed bug regrowth. If any bed bugs survive the treatment, you’re left exposed to the risk of re-infestation. This is particularly concerning for condos and apartments, where the chances of re-infestation are alarmingly high.

Discover the Ultimate Solution with K&A Pest Control

At K&A Pest Control, we understand Orlando’s unique pest challenges and employ Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles. Our approach is multifaceted, utilizing the most effective and safe tools to combat your bed bug nightmare.

We harness heat in a targeted manner, ensuring 100% efficacy and instant results. Our methods combine with mechanical solutions that exploit bed bug biology and feeding habits for thorough population eradication and sustained protection.

Unlike other options, our focus is solely on bed bug extermination. We offer immediate relief, comprehensive house preparation, and nontoxic treatments. There’s no need to vacate your home, and you’re covered by a full 12-month guarantee.

For more information, give us a call or complete our convenient online form. Don’t let bed bugs thrive in the beautiful warmth of Orlando – take control with K&A Pest Control.