Blog Layout

Thinking about DIY Fumigation for Bed Bugs? Stop.

YESpestpros • Apr 20, 2018

Bed bugs are an increasingly common in America. They’re found in all 50 states and are present in any living condition, even clean ones. But although home and business owners hate these pests, they sometimes won’t hire a professional pest control service to eliminate them and will choose a less-surefire DIY method to deal with the situation. Sometimes, people will even go as far as trying to attempt DIY bed bug fumigation.

For many reasons, this is a bad idea.

What is Fumigation?

Fumigation is the process of filling an encapsulated (tented, enclosed, sealed) area with gases, which suffocate or otherwise kill pests. Yes Pest Pros specifically uses Vikane ® gas to kill off bed bugs and bed bug eggs.

Why Homeowners Attempt DIY Fumigation

Fumigation evidently seems simple enough for do-it-yourselfers to attempt, as a number of Google searches shows. People attempt DIY fumigation for various reasons, which boil down to price and convenience. Homeowners and small-business owners can drive to the store anytime and purchase cheap products in an attempt to eradicate their pests. While this may seem like a great idea, the benefit is only short-lived.

What Goes Wrong with DIY Fumigation

The first issue is the effectiveness of the products these DIY fumigators use. For fumes to effectively kill bed bugs and their eggs, the pests need exposed to the fumes for several hours. DIY fumigators are unlikely to achieve the length of time and concentration of gas required to completely eliminate bed bugs because they cannot seal off their home or business the way a professional pest control company can. The fumes, therefore, are able to dissipate before they fill in the nooks and crannies where bedbugs hide and before the gasses reach a concentration that will absolutely kill the bed bugs.

If DIY fumigation doesn’t eliminate bed bugs, do-it-yourselfers will have to return to the store and repeat the process — and expense — if they don’t want to hire a professional the second time.

The second issue has to do with safety. Fumigating involves chemicals that can potentially harm or kill your family, pets, and animals if used incorrectly or without proper training. And depending on the type of fumigant, its danger may not simply disappear after the fumes have dissipated. Items exposed to the fumes may need disposed in a certain way.

Therefore, if you do decide to DIY fumigate — which we do not recommend — you must decide whether the risk is worth the dollars you’ll save and make sure you carefully read all the safety warnings and requirements on the fumigant of your choice and follow instructions to the letter.

Hiring a Pest Control Professional is Worth It

It may seem appealing to attempt to fumigate bed bugs on your own in order to save money, hiring a professional is well worth the investment in the long-run. Hiring a professional guarantees that the right chemicals are used in your house and that the bed bugs are ultimately destroyed.

Professionals are good choices, too, because they have encountered many problems that commonly come up during fumigation. Plus they have the training and licensing that helps them complete their jobs competently. Professionals familiarize themselves with the products they use to severely limit the risk for building occupants.

In our opinion, the risks far out way the rewards when it comes to DIY fumigation. Hiring a reliable company takes away the risks, however, and with certainty can get your life back to normal. Take advantage of the experience and up-to-date training a professional staff offers.

 

15 Jun, 2022
Insects that feed on human blood can cause incredible discomfort. In many cases, we don't even know we've been bitten until after they have had their meal. Some inject an anticoagulant into the bloodstream to suck up their meal faster, while others clamp on and indulge in our life-preserving liquid. It helps to know which of these creatures to be watchful of before they attack. That way, we can take active steps to avoid the misery before they get a chance to start.
15 Jun, 2022
We often think of fleas as a nuisance for your cat or dog. They have an annoying way of getting into their fur, and it can be a real problem to get them out. But it is their uncanny ability to get into your home and cause a significant infestation that is a source of concern for many, especially if their presence is not properly eliminated. This has become a significant problem for many people. No doubt, the best way to ensure you don’t get a flea infestation in your home is to make sure they never get inside in the first place.
15 Jun, 2022
Waking up with tiny little bite marks all over your body is never a good thing. As you look at your irritated skin with the tell-tale red spots that itch persistently, you're sure that they result from bed bugs. No one wants their bed infested with these creatures, so you want to get rid of them as soon as possible. But before you decide to launch an all-out attack on these irritants, you need to be sure of what you're dealing with. Unfortunately, plenty of other pests may invade your mattress, and using the wrong treatment to eliminate the problem could delay getting you relief or even worsen the situation. Before you decide on a method of extermination, you need to make sure of what you're actually dealing with. Still, because these bugs are so tiny, you might wonder if they can be seen with the naked eye. The answer is - sometimes. Bed bugs are usually visible in the later stages of development, but there's a good chance that if you can identify bed bugs in their adult stage, many younger ones are lying around, just waiting to take a bite out of you.
15 Jun, 2022
As their name implies, carpet beetles infest carpets and other fibers and are especially active during springtime. The first sign of an infestation is often a dead carpet beetle trapped in a window sill. But you can be sure if there’s one; there are many more. Carpet beetles typically live outdoors but are wintering insects . They will seek the warm cozy interior of your home after temperatures drop, and once inside, they become a threat to your property and food and can cause rashes with their tiny hairs. Carpet beetles feature: “Mottled” coloring of black, brown, white, or yellow. Oval-shaped bodies. Adult length between 1/16 - 1/8 inches. The first concern with any infestation is safety.
15 Jun, 2022
As spring approaches and temperatures begin to rise, all sorts of creepy crawlies emerge in search of food, warmth, and a place to reproduce. Unfortunately, your home could be the perfect place to find all three. If you're not quick to eliminate these pests, you could have a serious infestation on your hands. Here are a few spring bugs that you should keep an eye out for as winter comes to an end. 
By YESpestpros 15 Jun, 2022
Aracniphobs everywhere look to winter as a moment’s respite from spiders. The myth goes that spiders are cold-blooded and can’t survive the winter, but the truth is complex. There are 400 different species of spider in Indiana and 3,500 nationwide. Each one has different behaviors and approaches to surviving the cold. Some die off before winter, like the North American black and yellow garden spider, but others adapt. The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.
By YESpestpros 28 Feb, 2022
Moths can be pretty pesky little things; the larvae they leave behind can quickly chew through a wide variety of substances, including your clothes, bedding, and food. In addition, many people can have adverse allergic reactions when they are in their vicinity.  While moths play an essential role in our environment, they tend to be […] The post How to Get Rid of Moths appeared first on Yes Pest Control.
By YESpestpros 15 Feb, 2022
At first glance, ticks do not appear to be dangerous. But don’t let their tiny size and small mouths fool you. These guys are voracious eaters, and the females are known to suck at least 200 times their body weight in blood. They need this feeding cycle to develop through the different stages in their […] The post What Types of Ticks are Dangerous? appeared first on Yes Pest Control.
By YESpestpros 30 Jan, 2022
Nothing can make a homeowner more proud than the exterior beauty of a perfectly landscaped yard. However, all your dedication to beautifying your outdoor space can be tainted when you have underground guests come to visit.  When you start to notice a series of small holes in your yard that seem to emerge out of […] The post How to Get Rid of Moles in Your Yard appeared first on Yes Pest Control.
By YESpestpros 15 Jan, 2022
So you’ve been noticing strange things happening in your house, and you assume that you have a rodent problem. You’ve noticed the corners of your cereal boxes appear to be chewed on. You found a hole in your couch cushions. You may have even seen a mouse or two in the house! But now you’ve […] The post Can Mouse Droppings be Harmful? appeared first on Yes Pest Control.
More Posts
Share by: