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Why You Should Never Attempt DIY Bed Bug Control

Bed bugs are traumatizing bugs. When they establish themselves in a home or business they can drive people to take drastic actions. This has led to some tragic results.

Quotes From News Stories You May Have Seen


“13-year-old boy accidentally sets off a blazing fire as he tried to kill a bed bug, causing $300,000 in damage, and displacing eight people.”

“Three people were hospitalized and several others lost their homes after a woman accidentally started a fire inside a multifamily building while trying to kill bed bugs with alcohol…”

“Police sources said that the man, his wife and their daughter had been admitted to the hospital with similar symptoms Oct. 22, shortly after the poison was laid by the girl’s father. He told doctors he thought the poison would combat a bed bug infestation in their home, sources said.”

“Mayor’s office spokesman says the sofa and the man’s body caught fire when he tried to burn one of the bed bugs.”

“Family of 6 displaced after bed bug killing chemicals and smoking start fire.”

“People who get bedbugs often say they would try anything to get rid of the bloodsucking pests, and now there’s debate over a type of heat treatment after several fires across the U.S. and Canada are being blamed on bedbug exterminations gone wrong.”

There seems to be no end to the stories of bed bug treatments gone wrong. But what is often not discussed is why DIY treatments lead to such horrible outcomes. Here are some things you should know before you decide to take on bed bugs:

  • There are many chemicals that can kill bed bugs, but killing bed bugs will not stop an infestation unless those chemicals are applied properly. The behavior patterns of bed bugs help these insects prevent complete extermination from chemical treatments. This leads some people to apply more chemicals than are safe to use.
  • Over time, bed bugs can build up an immunity to chemicals. This is because they shed their skins between each of their 5 instars (developmental stages), and new skins are more tolerant to chemicals the bugs have been exposed to.
  • When pest control poisons are used to kill bed bugs, not only are they ineffective, they can cause accidental ingestion by children and pets.
  • While a heat treatment is an effective way to get rid of bed bugs, they should be done with professional, temperature-controlled units and temperature sensors to prevent an accidental fire from occurring. Opening an oven door and turning the oven on high will only drive bed bugs deep into wall voids. It will not raise the temperature of an apartment or home to the 120 F needed to kill bed bugs. If heat is used in a home where alcohol has been applied to floors and other surfaces, the risk of fire is even greater.

We understand how tormenting these blood-eating pests can be, but the application of chemicals and the use of heat to destroy bed bugs should always be done by a trained and experienced professional. Pest control technicians use protocols established by industry experts so that no bugs escape treatment, and treatments are performed in accordance with all established safety guidelines. Don’t let your story be a story of tragedy. When bed bugs appear in your home, contact a professional pest control company. Be sure to choose a company that is QualityPro Certified by the National Pest Management Association. Not all pest control companies are created equal. Looking for the QualityPro symbol on the website of a pest control company is an easy way to know that the company has undergone an audit process by a trusted third party.

If you are in our South Carolina service area, let the QualtyPro certified team here at Spencer Pest Services help you resolve your bed bug infestation. And, with our 90-day bed bug warranty, you can rest easy. Schedule a free inspection today and let’s get those bugs out.