What to Expect After Bed Bug Treatment?

The extent and the speed with which populations can be reduced is dependent on a variety of factors. You should perform practical steps to deal with the live bed bugs you detected between services.

When it comes to bed bugs, it pays to check for any sign of their presence regularly. Keep in mind that they are sneaky so they could get past throughout anybody's defense. Always look out for any hint that you got them to tighten your protective measure and actions against their infestation.

Bed bug management is a time consuming and difficult task. After physical repairs, cleaning and treatment have been conducted it is important to monitor for surviving bed bugs.

DIY Bed Bug Control Kit with a FREE shipping

If the PMP used conventional treatment, there may be some surviving eggs that will hatch. This doesn’t mean that the treatment was ineffective. As these eggs hatch, it will be necessary to continue monitoring and to have follow-up treatments.

A conventional chemical treatment program will usually require at least one follow-up treatment two weeks later.

Beds should be pulled away from the wall so the bed and wall do not contact each other.

Encasements should be put on mattresses and box springs. Any surviving bed bugs in the mattress or box spring will not be able to escape the encasement or bite.

Encasements also prevent bed bugs living in other parts of the room from establishing themselves in the mattress or box spring. These encasements will prevent any newly hatched bed bugs from biting you or getting out and will prevent surviving bed bugs from migrating back into the bed.

After treatment, the PMP will inspect to determine whether the treatment has been effective. If a significant reduction in bed bugs is not observed, it may be necessary to consider a combination of methods or an alternative to the treatment that had been used.

You will have to follow any steps outlined by the PMP prior to the follow-up service to prepare the room(s) or home. Monitors such as sticky traps or bed bug interceptors may be helpful in the weeks following treatment.

There are several reasons why a treatment may not be effective:

• All sources of the bed bugs were not identified during the inspection phase.
• All sources of bed bugs were not treated.
• Ineffective insecticides were used or there was insufficient contact time if heat was used.
• Re-introduction of infested items. 
• If any of your belongings were removed prior to treatment and then brought back afterward, bed bugs could be re-introduced. 
• In order to avoid this, do not move items out of the home or area to be treated without first consulting with your PMP.

For information on how to prevent or treat bed bug infestations, visit the Michigan Department of Community Health website
(Source)