What is the best treatment to get rid of a bed bug infestation in apartments? Heat? Chemical? Etc?

I've seen a DIY heat treatment for bed bug infestations, but frankly, that scares me. So my inclination is to have a chemical treatment done. Which bed bug treatments have worked best for you?

We have used heat for two units and it worked well, the problem is that the heaters we use run hot. I was at a trade show and there was a company with a $15,000 heat system. It did everything.

The heater would only heat to about 150 degrees not the scorching heat of our unit.

They had wired temperature probes, not wireless. and they had fans that were heat protected.

I could not justify the price for my complex but I can see a group of landlords going together to buy one,

we have two maybe three pest companies that have this system and they charge $750 a day for treatment.

chemicals only work so far, and soon the bugs will be immune to that.

we shopped around and found different companies do it differently. we also removed any warrantee from the company and now we are charged $150 per unit.

seems to work but you have to also be aggressive in moving fast.

Sam

I had a friend who had an issue with bedbugs years ago before exterminators had a clue about how to get rid of them.

She used Fossil Shell Flower. It can be purchased in small quantities in pet stores but it's very expensive. Fortunately, it's also available at pool supply companies under the name Diatomaceous Earth. I think we paid about $25 for a fifty lb bag.

Good Luck!!

HEAT!!!

I used heat and my friend at another property used chemical.

I have had only one case and it knocked them out. She has had repeated visits to the same apartments.

Could be the company and the chemicals they were using, but why risk it? Mine was about $400 cheaper, too.

Nothing was damaged. That was 2 years ago.

I've also heard that homeless shelters use Sauna's to heat newcomers items when they arrive to prevent spreading them.

I have seen several cases of bed Bugs chemically treated that had re-infestations. I would recommend heat treatment with a second treatment, whether it be chemical at that time or a secondary heat treatment.

Needless to say this means also inspecting the common areas and apartment side to side and above and below for any signs of activity.

Always remember the ounce of prevention rule.

Hi! Heat, from the heater? OK, My question is, can you turn on the heater and then what? Or do I need to have the machine or something special?

Saw these guys at NAA this past June:

www.greentechheat.com/heat-treatment-pac...014&utm_medium=email

The proper treatment for bed bugs is preparation. A good pest control company will have specific instructions for treatment and they must be followed, no matter using heat or chemical. I have only used the chemical treatment on several occasions. I would recommend someone from your staff inspecting the unit before the treatment is completed and following up to ensure they did the follow up treatment. Anytime we didn't have a successful treatment it is because of the resident. If the company tells them to get rid of furniture, it must go. Usually the times that it didn't work it was because of a problem with communication. And be stearn about it and tell them if they do not follow the procedures they will be responsible for the cost of re-treatment to not only their apartment but surrounding apartments as well should it spread. Good Luck!