Bed Bug Central TV

BBTV #35 – Phantom Insecticide for Bed Bug Control

admin — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:04:02 +0000

In this episode Jeff will explain why Phantom insecticide may be one good option for bed bug control and why if you are evaluating a pest control company and their protocol, you may want to see this pesticide being used. Phantom insecticide is a pesticide that, in some areas, may be used as part of a bed bug control plan. As stated previously, a multi-disciplinary approach to bed bug control is highly recommended (steamers, Cryonite, vacuums, etc) but when pesticides are needed, Phantom may be a good option to choose. Laboratory studies have shown that Phantom may be a good option to address pesticide resistant bed bugs as this pesticide falls into a different class of chemicals compared with the commonly seen synthetic pyrethrins. In addition, this pesticide has shown some residual effects with bed bugs. One concern is that Phantom has been shown to take 7-14 days or more to kill bed bugs and this may be a concern if people are being bit by bed bugs and the pesticide that has been applied takes 14 days to address those issues. Either way, many progressive bed bug control companies are incorporating Phantom into their bed bug treatment plans and when selecting a pest control company to treat your bed bug infestation, this may be a product you want to see incorporated into their protocol.

BBTV #34 – Effectiveness of Steamers on Bed Bugs

admin — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 17:51:36 +0000

In this episode Jeff is explains how to determine if the steamer you have purchased or have at home will be effective in killing both bed bugs and their eggs on contact. One thing that we know about bed bugs is that they are susceptible to heat and if they are exposed to temperatures in excess of 180oF both bed bugs and their eggs should be killed on contact. In previous episodes we have also discussed how steamers can be effective for killing bugs and their eggs on contact and good be a good tool to address resistance concerns in a bed bug population. If you have purchased a steamer and would like to determine if it will be effective in killing bed bugs and their eggs on contact, you should first purchase an instant read thermometer (similar to the one you would use to cook food in an oven). If you then take the steamer and turn it on and move the steamer over the thermometers sensor you can see if you are achieving temperatures in excess of 180oF. If you do achieve temperatures in excess of 180oF then that steamer should be sufficient to kill bugs and eggs on contact. Please be aware that steamers can damage fabrics and finishes on different surfaces, so always use caution when steamer different items.

BBTV #33 – Bed Bugs and Vacuums

admin — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 20:40:03 +0000

In this episode Jeff will explain the role a vacuum can play when attempting to removing bed bugs from your home, the right vacuum to choose for this job and the things you should be aware of when using a vacuum to remove bugs. Vacuums can play a critical role in bed bug control and management because they can remove a large number of bed bugs from a home in a short amount of time. By doing so, you dont have to worry about pesticide tolerant or resistant bugs because instead of spraying the bugs with pesticide, you are removing them from the home. When choosing a vacuum, it is recommended that you use a vacuum that empties into a bag because bed bugs have been shown to be able to live inside a vacuum and when you are done vacuuming bed bugs with a vacuum that bags you can dispose of the vacuum bag in an outdoor trash receptacle. If you choose a HEPA filter vacuum, although they can be good vacuums, they can be difficult to completely empty out and therefore bed bugs and their eggs may live inside the vacuum and reinfest your home.
Related Topics:

Bed Bugs 101

University of Kentucky

Ohio State University

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BBCTV DIY #2 – Effective Method to Apply Dusts

admin — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 16:01:29 +0000

In this episode Jeff will describe the most effective way to apply dusts to kill bed bugs. When working in homes, it is common to see white dusts applied to the surface of floors and carpets in an attempt to kill bed bugs. While some dusts allow for it to be applied in this fashion it may not be the most effective way to treat for bed bugs. When applying dusts to kill bed bugs, it may be best to get the dust into cracks, crevices and voids. The idea behind this treatment is to get the dust to where the bugs are hiding. By doing so, you optimize the chance that you kill the bugs and if the dust does not get wet, it should be active for a long period of time and thus eliminate that crack as a place to hide for the bugs. If you place the dust on the top of the floor or carpeting, there is a chance the bug may avoid the dust and find another way to get to the sleeping person. Also, applying dusts on to the surface of flooring may not be the best option if pets or children are present in the home.

BBCTV DIY #1 – Using the Heat of the Sun to Kill Bed Bugs

admin — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 04:18:12 +0000

In this episode Jeff will describe the best techniques to use the sun’s energy to eliminate bed bugs from items that cannot be laundered or treating with pesticide. Please be aware that using the sun to eliminate bed bugs is not recommended by Bed Bug Central due to the risk of failure and infesting items that weren’t previously infested. Nonetheless, in many area of the world the heat created by the sun during the summer months can be warm enough to achieve lethal temperatures (above 120^oF) for eliminating bed bugs. By following the techniques explained in this video, you provide yourself with the best opportunity to use the sun’s energy to eliminate bed bugs from items.

BBCTV DIY – Introduction

admin — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 04:15:16 +0000

Bed Bug Central always recommends that you hire a knowledgeable pest control professional to assist you in your bed bug control efforts. This “Do It Yourself” or “DIY” series of videos is intended to provide people who can’t afford to hire a knowledgeable professional or purchase the products mentioned in our other videos the best possible methods to better their situation in regards to bed bugs. Please be aware that attempting to control bed bugs on your own comes with the potential to worsen you problem and cost you more money in the future. Bed bug control can be very difficult and is best left up to pest control professionals. If you have any questions about the information contained in these videos please e-mail Jeff White at jeff.white@bedbugcentral.com

BBCTV #32 – UPDATE: Packtite Heating Unit

admin — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 18:04:25 +0000

This video is an update to the original BBCTV #21 – PackTite Portable Heating Unit product review. Please view that video first before watching this one.

In this episode Jeff will perform an experiment with the Packtite portable heating unit where he will place a fully packed suitcase into the unit and monitor temperatures within the contents to test if lethal temperatures for bed bugs are achieved. After performing these tests, it is still Bed Bug Central’s recommendation that any items that can be laundered are removed from the suitcase and laundered to reduce the amount of clutter in the items to be heated to increase the chance that lethal temperatures are achieved throughout the items.

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BBCTV Live #1: Bed Bug Basics

admin — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 17:23:30 +0000

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BBCTV #31 – Bed Bug Prevention

admin — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:27:53 +0000

In this episode, Jeff will discuss what bed bug prevention truly means and steps you can take to hopefully prevent bed bugs from infesting your home and items you can consider purchasing that will help in their early detection and quick elimination. Bed bug prevention is a very interesting topic because there really is no true form of bed bug prevention. There isn’t one thing you can do to prevent bed bugs from infesting your home. “Preventing” bed bugs starts with educating yourself about what bed bugs look like, how to avoid bringing them into your home and the signs and symptoms of bed bugs so you can detect their presence in your home as early as possible. Also, you can consider purchasing such items as Protect-A-Bed encasements Climbup Insect Interceptors and the Packtite portable heating unit which could help you detect bed bugs presence as early as possible as well as assist in preventing bed bugs from entering your home and infesting your bed.

Related Links:

Bed Bug Central’s Bed Bugs 101

University of Kentucky’s Bed Bug Page

Protect-A-Bed Encasements

Bed Bug Central’s Travel Products

Bed Bug Central’s Home Products

BBCTV #30 – Using Solar Heat to Kill Bed Bugs

admin — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:47:12 +0000

In this episode, Jeff will explain how some people have tried to use the sun’s energy to heat treat items by placing them in the hot sun in the yard or car and his position on this technique. Although, if done properly, this technique can be effective, Bed Bug Central does not recommend this technique since the chance for it to fail and possibly infest your car exists. The temperatures in a car or in the direct sunlight during the summer months can be in excess of 160 degrees which is well over the lethal temperature to kill bed bugs and their eggs. The issue with this technique is that there are sometimes ways for the bugs to escape the bags they are contained in and then your car can become infested. Also, if you place items in the yard in the direct sunlight, where the bags of items touch the ground can be a cold spot and provide an area for bed bugs to avoid the lethal temperatures. In conclusion, although this technique can work it is not recommended by Bed Bug Central due to the concerns with failure and possibly infesting your automobiles.